DETROIT—A federal judge said Friday that he “seriously” considered dismissing the Biden administration’s case against seven Christian pro-lifer activists over a peaceful protest in Michigan in light of concerns that “highly emotional” testimony may have unduly prejudiced the jury.
Lawyers for Eva Edl, Cal Zastrow, Chester Gallagher, Heather Idoni, Joel Curry, Justin Phillips, and Eva Zastrow moved to dismiss the case against the group after one of the Justice Department’s witnesses cried throughout her testimony. The defendants are charged in the Eastern District of Michigan with violations of the FACE Act and conspiracy against rights, a charge that could be punished with up to 10.5 years in prison.
The activists are accused of blocking access to the Northland Family Planning Clinic in Sterling, Michigan, on August 27, 2020, and creating a “well-oiled machine” to…
