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Massachusetts v. Bangs - Significance, Impact, Further Readings

chief decision justices

Prosecution

The State of Massachusetts

Defendant

Isaiah Bangs

Crimes Charged

Causing an abortion, committing assault and battery on Lucy Holman and administering a harmful drug to her.

Chief Prosecutor

Solicitor General

Chief Defense Lawyer

Fay

Justices for the Court

Chief Justice Theophilus Parsons, Isaac Parker, Samuel Sewall

Justices Dissenting

None

Place

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Date of Decision

October term, 1812

Decision

Bangs was found not guilty.

Related Cases

Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973).

Additional Topics

Massachusetts v. Bangs - Further Readings

Massachusetts v. Bangs - Significance

Common law tradition permitted a woman to abort a fetus up until "quickening." This began to change in the nineteenth century, as this case shows. Common law in both England and America held that abortion became a moral issue only after the mother detected fetal movement, or "quickening," which occurs during the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy. In early America, abortions were neither forbidden…

Massachusetts v. Bangs - Impact

McCulloch v. Maryland - Further Readings [next] [back] Mary Dyer Trials: 1659 and 1660 - Suggestions For Further Reading

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