This Case Summary is broken into three parts:
NOW v Scheidler Case Summary, Part 2
1995 through 1998 Trial to 2002 Supreme Court Oral Arguments
![[Gavel]](gavel.jpg)
April 1995
AUL, financially unable to bear the expenses of trial in this case, requests to withdraw and pledges a $50,000 bequest they are expecting toward the defense for the attorney who continued to defend the case. Defendants choose to continue with Tom Brejcha, who is thoroughly familiar with the case from the beginning.
1994 to 1997
NOW continues with depositions of every major por-life activist leader in the country and demands that the Pro-Life Action League turn over additional correspondence and files so that the plaintiffs could substantiate their allegations of conspiracy and violence.
NOW deposes Paul Hill, on death row in Florida for the shooting death of Dr. Britton and his security guard, as well as Rochelle Shannon, in jail for shooting Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, KS. Their depositions do not indicate any kind of conspiracy with the defendants in the NOW v. Scheidler case.
League Director Joseph Scheidler spends a total of ten days giving his deposition.
[Back to Top]April 1997
Abramson & Fox withdraw from the case. The Pro-Life Law Center is established, with Tom Brejcha as Counsel.
November 4, 1997
Judge David Coar rules in favor the plaintiffs' class-action motion, certifying that the National Organization of Women could represent all women who are not members of NOW and would at any time in the past, present or future, use the services of a facility that provides abortions, and that NOW could represent all abortion clinics in the United States.
Judge Coar sets the trial date for 2 March 1998.
March 2, 1998
RICO trial begins in Judge David Coar's courtroom of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. Two days are spent on jury selection, opening statements begin March 4. The trial lasts seven weeks.
April 20, 1998
The six-member jury returns a verdict of guilty of racketeering against defendants Joseph Scheidler, Tim Murphy, Andy Scholberg, Pro-Life Action League and Operation Rescue.
June 30, 1998
A three-day injunction hearing (mini trial) is held, including witnesses on both sides to determine if an injunction is necessary.
July 16, 1999
Judge David Coar issues his memorandum of opinion and nationwide injunction.
August 6, 1999
Defendants file an appeal of the injunction.
January 6, 2000
Appeal briefs are submitted to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
September 14, 2000
Oral Arguments before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
October 2, 2000
Court of Appeals affirms the District Court finding that the defendants are guilty of RICO violations.
January 28, 2002
Pro-Life Action League files Petition for Certiorari with the United States Supreme Court
April 22, 2002
U. S. Supreme Court grants Certiorari in Scheidler v. NOW (the title of the case now that the defendants are the Petitioners and the original plaintiffs are Respondents.
October 7, 2002
Oral hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court scheduled for Wednesday, 4 December 2002, 10:00 a.m.
December 4, 2002
Oral Hearing before the U. S. Supreme Court begins at 10:00 a.m. Attorney Roy Englert of the firm of Robbins, Russell, Englert, Orseck and Untereiner, argues the case for the Petitioners (Scheidler). Solicitor General Ted Olsen argues on behalf of the government, on our side with respect to the injunction, on NOW's side with respect to extortion. Fay Clayton argues on behalf of NOW and the abortion clinics. The hearing lasts one hour.
[Go to Part 3] [Back to Top]![[Gavel]](gavel.gif)