4 pro-life activists found guilty, spared jail time for NJ abortion clinic “rescue” event

Four pro-life activists, including two pardoned by President Donald Trump in January for earlier convictions under the FACE Act, were found guilty of trespassing 14 March for their 2019 “rescue” at a New Jersey abortion clinic.

But they will not face jail time. Instead, they received 18 months of probation, although they won’t have to report to a probation officer.

Their 30-day jail sentences were suspended. Father David Nix, a Denver-based diocesan hermit; Father Fidelis Moscinski, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal from the Bronx borough of New York; William Goodman, a Wisconsin native and longtime activist who has experienced homelessness since 2017; and another activist, Sally Hernandez, were convicted 14 March.

They had entered Garden State Gynecology in Morristown. The trial had been delayed twice, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Father Fidelis and Goodman were part of 23 people pardoned by Trump for violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, or FACE, Act.

Their attorney, Vincent Sanzone, called the four “pro-life saints” and credited the Holy Spirit for the result.

“The 30 day suspended jail time was the best thing we can do,” he said. “The judge gave us some leeway in presenting our arguments for life.”