District Judge Brock Thomas dismissed felony criminal charges against David Daleiden this morning at the request of the Harris County District Attorney’s office. David had been indicted by a grand jury on a misdemeanor charge of trafficking in fetal tissue as well as a felony charge of tampering with a governmental document in January. The misdemeanor charge was vacated last month and today the felony charge, which carried a maximum sentence of twenty years in state prison, was quashed (dismissed). Charges were also dismissed against Sandra Merritt who worked on the undercover investigations of Planned Parenthood.
Life Legal assisted in the coordination of David’s criminal defense and was in Harris County earlier this year as David posted bail following the indictments.
“This is a victory, not only for David Daleiden, but also for the First Amendment.” said Life Legal Defense Foundation Executive Director Alexandra Snyder. “Undercover journalists should not have to fear criminal penalties for exposing the truth. Justice has finally been served in Harris County.”