BIRMINGHAM, AL — A woman who was indicted for manslaughter in the death of her five-month-old fetus may not face prosecution after all. The case of Marshae Jones has made national headlines and stirred even more controversy for the state of Alabama nationwide. Jones lost her unborn child after being shot during an altercation.

Jones was indicted after the woman who shot her was acquitted of charges, as authorities determined that the shooter was acting in self defense.

“The investigation showed that the only true victim in this was the unborn baby,” Pleasant Grove police Lt. Danny Reid said at the time of the shooting. “It was the mother of the child who initiated and continued the fight which resulted in the death of her own unborn baby.”

The Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney, Lynneice Washington, is not in town at the moment, but her office released a statement via Assistant District Attorney Valerie Hicks Powe:

“Foremost, it should be stated this is a truly tragic case resulting in the death of an unborn child. We feel sympathy for the families involved, including Ms. Jones, who lost her unborn child,” Powe said. “The fact that this tragedy was 100 percent avoidable makes this case even more disheartening.”

Powe added, “While the grand jury has had its say, our office is in the process of evaluating this case and has not yet made a determination about whether to prosecute it as a manslaughter case, reduce it to a lesser charge or not to prosecute it,” Powe said. “We will take a through look at all the facts provided, the applicable laws, and reach a decision that we believe will lead to an outcome that is the most just for all the parties involved. We will announce our decision only after all due diligence has been performed.”

Click Here: cheap kanken backpack

Powe also said she is aware of advocacy groups nationwide tying this case to Alabama’s anti-abortion laws passed earlier this year.

“Unfortunately, some groups have attempted to tie this case to the anti-abortion law recent passed by the (state) legislature,” Powe said in an Alabama Media Group report. “This case predates the passage of the legislation and we must point out the new law played no role in the consideration of the grand jury.”

Powe also said it was the grand jury, after looking at the facts presented by the investigative law enforcement agency, that made the decision to bring charges against Jones. “In fact, the actions of both Ms. Jones and the shooter, Ebony Jemison, were presented to the grand jury at the same time,” she said. “The grand jury, based on the facts presented, determined that Ms. Jemison acted in self-defense and did not warrant charges against her, and that Ms. Jones should face charges for her actions resulting the death of unborn child.”

Jones was released on bond Thursday and is at home. She has declined to comment on her case thus far.