BESSEMER, Ala. (AP) — The manslaughter charge against an Alabama woman who lost her fetus when she was shot during a fight has been dropped.
A judge granted the state’s motion Saturday to dismiss the case against 28-year-old Marshae Jones.
Authorities say Jones was five months pregnant when 23-year-old Ebony Jemison shot her in the stomach during a December argument over the fetus’ father.
Jemison was initially charged with manslaughter, but a grand jury declined to indict her after police said an investigation determined Jones started the fight, and Jemison fired in self-defense. Jones was indicted by the same grand jury and arrested, sparking outrage around the nation.
A prosecutor recently announced she wouldn’t prosecute Jones.
Alabama is one of several states with laws allowing criminal charges when fetuses are killed in violent acts.