Justin Anthony Banta was arrested this Friday, June 6 after a survey of several months. His former companion accused him of having given him the Plan C pill, usually used as part of a drug abortion, without his knowledge, said the Texan police, as reported the BBC.
The former partner of Justin Anthony Banta said that when she had revealed her pregnancy Last year, he offered to charge the costs of a abortionbut that she had chosen to keep the child she was waiting for.
The authorities said that after finding Justin Anthony Banta, his ex-partner had abundant bleeding and went to the emergency room, but has lost her baby a few days later. The man was also accused of falsification of material evidence and awaits to be prosecuted, according to the Sheriff’s Bureau of the County of Parker.
“Crucial evidence” deleted
According to the police, Justin Anthony Banta’s ex-spouse was about six weeks pregnant when she went to her doctor, who told her that the baby was in good health, that his heart was beating hard and that he presented vital signs.
“Later in the day, the victim said he met Justin Anthony Banta in a cafe … where she said he suspected (her ex-companion) to have secretly added abortive pills to her drink, to her knowledge and without her permission,” said the sheriff’s office in a statement.
The victim added that his ex-spouse would also have said that he had suggested that they buy the drug Abortive Plan C online after she revealed her pregnancy. Police requisitioned the mobile phone of the American after questioning it, but later discovered that “crucial evidence relating to the case” had been deleted. Investigators suspect Justin Anthony Banta, who worked in the field of computer science at the United States Ministry of Justice, of having access to his phone at a distance and a “reset”.
An arrest warrant has been obtained and Justin Anthony Banta was charged last week from murder with premeditation and falsification of material evidence.
A very severe state vis-à-vis abortion
In Texas, the laws on abortion are extremely restrictive, authorizing abortion only in the event of serious medical circumstances. In 2022, the state even adopted a law providing for civil and criminal sanctions against people who practice abortions.
A law in force in 2021 also prohibits the termination of pregnancy after detecting a baby’s heartbeat, but provides exceptions in the event of a medical emergency.
