More than two years ago, pro-life hero Sandra Merritt turned herself in to California authorities. She appeared in criminal court to answer the 15-count felony indictment brought against her by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

Sandra was searched, handcuffed and taken away to jail. The ordeal that followed made one thing painfully clear: The state of California will spare no expense to convict Sandra and put her behind bars.

Attorney General Becerra’s baseless and politically motivated charges against Sandra stem from her undercover work in exposing Planned Parenthood's illegal sale of aborted baby body parts.

Rather than investigating and prosecuting Planned Parenthood, which donated thousands of dollars to his political campaigns, Becerra filed charges against Merritt, claiming that her undercover video recordings violated California law.

To date, no other citizen journalist or journalism organization has ever been charged with a crime for undercover recordings.

+  +  Outrageous bail

But after Sandra appeared in court two years ago, it took 12 hours, three judges and an outrageous $75,000 in bail before she was released!

“It makes no sense that a 34-year-old illegal immigrant, the very definition of a flight risk, is charged with rape and gets his bail set at $2,500,” said Horatio Mihet, Liberty Counsel's Chief Litigation Counsel.

“But the judge refused to lower the $75,000 bail for Sandra Merritt, a 64-year-old grandmother who has lived in the same house for 41 years and doesn’t even have a passport. All because she gave Planned Parenthood a huge black eye,” said Mihet.

He added, “There is law, and then there's abortion law.”

+  +  Critical hearing in less than three weeks...

In less than three weeks, Liberty Counsel goes into court for an exhaustive 10-day “preliminary hearing” starting September 3. Its purpose is to determine whether there is enough evidence to go to trial. In fact, the criminal charges against Sandra are baseless and politically motivated.

Because this critical hearing is so pivotal to the outcome of this unjust prosecution and to Sandra’s freedom, I am asking for your help today. The costs for this—and the other vital cases in our full docket—are huge.

But thanks to the $100,000 Challenge Grant for our online supporters, your gift now will be effectively doubled. Please send a special gift today to stand with Sandra and help Liberty Counsel defend life, liberty and the family.

+  +  Planned Parenthood operatives allowed to join prosecution!

When Liberty Counsel goes into court September 3 on Sandra’s behalf, we’ll be going up against the vast resources at the disposal of Attorney General Becerra. As California’s top lawyer, he has a staff of some 4,500 and an annual budget of more than $800 million.

Add to that the fact that we are in hostile territory (San Francisco). Sandra’s ordeal more than two years ago is testimony to that.

And so is the stunning fact that a San Francisco trial judge is permitting Planned Parenthood’s four operatives—all private individuals—to intervene in the criminal trial against Sandra.

Not only is Planned Parenthood suing Sandra for $16 million in a separate civil suit, but it also persuaded a San Francisco trial judge to let it join the state of California's criminal prosecution against her!

What could be more unjust? The court has given private parties with axes to grind the right to unconstitutionally prosecute this pro-life hero!

+  +  "Unprecedented" and "unlawful"

"Allowing a private party to meddle in criminal proceedings supposedly brought by the state of California is unprecedented and unlawful," declared Mihet.

He added: "Planned Parenthood's attempt to intervene in the Attorney General's case pulls the mask off the unseemly collusion between them that is responsible for this political prosecution."

In less than three weeks, we will face off against the state of California. And a trial in Planned Parenthood's civil suit against Sandra may begin on September 30.

We are fighting the combined might of the state of California--with its almost unlimited resources--and Planned Parenthood, one of America's most powerful and politically connected organizations.

Will you help us defend Sandra Merritt against this political vendetta?

+  +  Help us fight this battle!

Liberty Counsel doesn’t have hundreds of millions of dollars in a "legal war chest" like Planned Parenthood. And we certainly aren't in an unethical alliance with any government leaders!

That's why I'm relying on friends like you, right now, to help us fight this battle. Remember, we’re less than three weeks from a critical hearing in Sandra’s defense. Please stand with her now and be as generous as you can!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We rely on the faithful partnership of friends like you each and every day we go into battle.

God bless you!

Mat Staver
Founder and Chairman
Liberty Counsel