A Washington DC district court judge suggested a 75-year-old pro-life activist “do everything possible to stay alive” as part of the “tenets of her religion” when sentencing her to prison.
On May 31, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly sentenced Paulette “Paula” Harlow to two years in federal prison and 36 months of supervised release for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) with a pro-life demonstration at an abortion center. clinic in 2020.
Although Harlow's husband, John, and his attorney emphasized that her rapidly deteriorating health could put her life in danger when asking for leniency, court transcripts obtained by Fox News Digital showed that the judge gave Harlow a suggestion based on the Harlow religion.
“I would suggest that, in terms of your religion, one of the principles is that you should make the effort during this period of time, when it may be difficult for your husband, to do everything you can to stay alive, to do the things you need to do.” to survive, because that's part of the tenets of your religion,” Kollar-Kotelly said.
Paulette Harlow was sentenced to two years in federal prison for praying outside an abortion clinic in 2020. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images))
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The judge's comments followed John Harlow asking for leniency as his wife's primary caregiver.
“I feel like Paulette is dying,” he said. “In my heart, I think she's having a hard time staying alive.”
Defense attorney Allen Orenberg similarly argued that stopping Harlow's current care could worsen his condition.
“She cannot continue to exist without support, especially that of her husband,” Orenberg said.
Orenberg added that John told him before the sentencing: “Well, if Paulette goes to prison, I want to go with her. I want to be there for her. She's going to need me. She can't go on living without me.” “
Plans to sentence Harlow to federal prison are still underway.
Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly dismissed petitions by Harlow's husband and attorney for a lighter sentence because of Harlow's health problems. (Paulette Harlow | iStock)
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Harlow is currently under house arrest while authorities determine a federal facility to provide him with proper medical care. He is also prohibited from coming within 300 meters of an abortion clinic.
Although some objected to Kollar-Kotelly's statements, Harlow seemed to assume good intentions on the judge's part.
“It was just his expression. He just said, 'Try to stay alive.' 'That's also a tenet of your faith,' which, yes, is a tenet of my faith. But also, saving children is a tenet of my faith. I think It wasn't anything I said, but I – at the time, I was reflecting and I'm still reflecting [the sentence]”Harlow told Fox News Digital.
Last month, Kollar-Kotelly sentenced several pro-life activists to years-long sentences for blocking access to the Washington Surgi-Clinic on October 22, 2020.
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly previously sentenced Lauren Handy, 30, of Alexandria, Virginia, to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised release. (Getty Images)
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“Previously, Lauren Handy was sentenced to 57 months in prison, John Hinshaw was sentenced to 21 months in prison, William Goodman was sentenced to 27 months in prison, Jonathan Darnel was sentenced to 34 months in prison, Herb Geraghty was sentenced to 27 months in prison, Jean Marshall was sentenced to 24 months in prison, Joan Bell was sentenced to 27 months in prison, and Heather Idoni was sentenced to 24 months in prison,” the Department of Justice's Office of Public Affairs reported.
