Fortunately, two of the pro-lifers caught most of the criminal behavior on video. These quick-thinking young women, Joan and Thrin Short, are the daughters of Life Legal Defense Foundation’s Vice-President of Legal Affairs, Katie Short.
Prof. Miller-Young was convicted of grand theft, vandalism, and battery and sentenced, in August 2014, to 108 hours of community service, ten hours of anger management, and three years of probation. In addition, she was required to pay a small amount in fines and restitution. Read Katie Short’s statement to the court at the sentencing hearing of Mireille Miller-Young.
Shortly thereafter, LLDF filed suit on behalf of Joan and Thrin, as well as the other pro-life activists who were also victimized by Miller-Young.
During the litigation, it was discovered that the University never disciplined Prof. Miller-Young for her misconduct. Neither the University nor the faculty even initiated an investigation that could have resulted in discipline.
The senior Short further noted, “The University had every opportunity to apologize for the actions of its employee, but it never did so. By not apologizing and not taking any action to discipline Miller-Young, the University demonstrates that it has no problem, in principle, with a professor who commits crimes like this on campus, as long as it’s done for the ‘right’ reason.”
Short concludes, “Criminal acts, including those deliberately targeting the free exchange of ideas, should be a matter of serious concern for U.C. Santa Barbara, but in this case, they were not. However, Miller-Young’s criminal conviction and the settlement should serve as a warning to pro-abortion faculty and staff at campuses around the country who might be tempted to interfere with the exercise of free speech by groups with whom they disagree.”
