Woman Who Lost Unborn Child In Shooting Will No Longer Be Charged With Manslaughter

The Alabama woman who lost her unborn child after being shot during a physical altercation will no longer be charged with manslaughter.

Officials announced Wednesday that the manslaughter charges against 27-year-old Marshae Jones would be dropped following national backlash from abortion rights advocates. Lynniece Washington, a district attorney in Jefferson County, announced the decision and said there would be no further legal action taken against Jones. “This is a truly disturbing and heartbreaking case. An unborn child was tragically lost, and families on both sides of this matter have suffered,” Washington said in a news conference Wednesday.

Jones was five months pregnant when she was shot in her stomach during a physical altercation with 23-year-old Ebony Jemison. A grand jury ruled Jemison acted in self-defense when she fired shots into Jones. The indictment said Jones “intentionally caused the death of her unborn baby by initiating a fight knowing she was five months pregnant,” concluding it was “caused in a sudden heat of passion.”

Jones’ attorneys said in a statement they were “pleased” that the district attorney decided to drop the charges. “The District Attorney’s decision will help Marshae continue to heal from this tragic event and work to rebuild her life in a positive and productive way. She moves forward with enormous gratitude for the support she and her family have received during this challenging time,” the statement said. 

“With the dismissal of charges, the community of support that surrounded Marshae can now channel its immense passion and energy toward ensuring that what happened to Marshae won’t ever happen again.”