James Linton for many months has had a presence on public property outside the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in San Bernardino. Life Legal Defense Foundation executive director Alexandra Snyder explains how Linton suddenly became a criminal in the eyes of Planned Parenthood.

“A few months ago,” she begins, “the director of that Planned Parenthood came out and told him she was going to call the police and that she – quote – ‘loves going to court to prosecute people like you.'”

When the police officers arrived, Linton discussed the matter with them and then walked to the parking lot of an adjacent pro-life pregnancy center. At that point, he was handcuffed, taken to headquarters, and arraigned before a judge.

Snyder

“He was charged with a form of trespassing that has to do with interfering with the practices of the business,” says Snyder. “He was actually able to deter women from going into Planned Parenthood – but that is not, under the law, ‘interfering with the business’ of Planned Parenthood.”

The abortion organization claims to be non-profit, but it is being considered a business for the purpose of prosecuting Linton.

The priest made an appearance in court recently, and unless the city dismisses the charge he will go on trial at the end of this month – in which case, Linton will be defended by Life Legal Defense Foundation.