Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Queens Murder Sparks Abortion Rights Debate
By
Ben Muessig
Published Dec 9, 2009
Modified Dec 9, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Muessig
Published Dec 9, 2009
Modified Dec 9, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Queens mother is furious that the man suspected of killing her pregnant daughter isn't being charged for the death of the woman's unborn fetus — and she's pushing for a new law that pro-choice activists fear might infringe upon abortion rights.
According to the Daily News, 36-year-old Derrick Redd faces a murder charge for allegedly stabbing his pregnant 25-year-old girlfriend Niasha Delain six times in the stomach because she refused to have an abortion. The victim's mother, Towanda Wimms, wants state lawmakers to charge him with a crime against the unborn fetus, who would have been named Aidan had he been born. "It's like this baby is not being looked at as a victim and that's ridiculous," said Wimms. "There were two victims here. This baby was intentionally stabbed."
Wimms has sided with pro-life groups in an Albany debate over a bill that would charge those who kill a pregnant woman with two murders. Pro-choice groups say they want to see harsher penalties against those who commit crimes against pregnant women, but they think the bill could be a way for anti-abortion activists to establish "fetal rights" — which could be used to attempt to establish a legal precedent against abortion. Pro-life groups say the bill is carefully worded so it doesn't infringe on abortion rights and specifically prohibits the prosecution of abortion providers.
Tagged
abortion
abortion rights
debate
Derrick Redd
fetus
murder
Niasha Delain
Towanda Wimms
Ben Muessig
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
More than 122,000 cases are being recalled over undeclared food dyes.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 5, 2026 at 4:36 p.m. ET
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani faces pressure to forge ahead with plan to fix polluting South Bronx market
By
Elizabeth Kim
Dominican man who shot border patrol officer in NYC sentenced to 15 years in prison
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .