CV NEWS FEED // Wyoming will have key court hearings regarding two prominent abortion lawsuits in December, the same week that one of only two abortion clinics in Wyoming is set to close.
The reason for the abortion clinic’s closing is reportedly “solely financial,” according to the clinics’ employees.
The first hearing is set for December 12, when the Wyoming Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on whether a group of proposed pro-life intervenors would be allowed to join the defendants in a lawsuit filed against Wyoming’s pro-life laws.
Reps. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (R-Cody), Chip Neiman (R-Hulett) and Right to Life of Wyoming all requested to join in the defendants of a lawsuit filed by pro-abortion plaintiffs who seek to challenge Wyoming’s near-total abortion ban.
The issue stemmed from the 9th District Court where district judge Melissa Owens “denied their request on the grounds that… they didn’t have direct, substantial, protectable interests. The aspiring intervenors disagree and have stated that their interests aren’t being adequately defended,” according to WyoFile, a Wyoming news portal. The group appealed the decision to the Wyoming Supreme Court, which will hear the arguments on December 12.
The second hearing is set for December 14, where “Judge Owens will hear arguments about why she should issue a summary judgment siding with either those challenging the state abortion bans or those defending the bans,” according to WyoFile:
Both sides of the case requested a summary judgment, arguing Owens should skip a costly trial because there are no “fact issues” in the case, only legal ones.
Plaintiffs in the case — women, health care providers and an aid group — argue Owens should side with their case, finding the bans unconstitutional in several ways and permanently bar the state from enforcing either.
Defendants — including the state, governor, attorney general, Teton County sheriff and Jackson’s chief of police — argue the exact opposite, stating that the bans are constitutional and should be allowed to go into effect.
While she could rule Dec. 14, Owens doesn’t have to make a decision that day and could deny both motions for summary judgment, sending the case to trial. That’s currently set for April.
Regardless of the outcome, the case is expected to be appealed to the Wyoming Supreme Court.
WyoFile also noted that between now and the third week of December, a Wyoming judge
is also expected to decide whether expert witnesses and an amicus brief should be allowed in the suit challenging the state bans, which the Legislature passed earlier this year. One restricts most abortions while the other targets medication abortions. Both bans are on hold while the courts weigh the matter.
