Justice Undermined? Pro-Life Victims Demand Answers

After a brutal assault left two elderly pro-life activists hospitalized, a Baltimore judge handed the attacker home detention—not jail time—sparking outrage among conservatives who see this as another alarming example of justice denied for those defending life.

Story Snapshot

Patrick Brice violently assaulted two elderly pro-life protesters outside a Baltimore Planned Parenthood, inflicting serious injuries.
Despite being convicted on multiple assault and endangerment charges, Brice was sentenced to home detention and probation, avoiding prison entirely.
Pro-life advocates and legal observers decry the lenient sentence as a betrayal of justice and a threat to the safety of peaceful demonstrators.
The case raises urgent questions about judicial discretion, free speech, and the protection of constitutional rights for conservative Americans.

Violent Assault on Elderly Pro-Life Protesters Captured on Video

On May 26, 2023, outside a Baltimore Planned Parenthood, two elderly pro-life activists, Mark Crosby (73) and Richard Schaefer (84), were violently attacked by Patrick Brice while peacefully offering sidewalk counseling. The assault, captured on surveillance video, left Crosby with permanent eye damage and broken facial bones, while Schaefer was knocked unconscious and badly bruised. These men—known for their nonviolent advocacy—were targeted in an act of aggression that shocked the local community and pro-life advocates nationwide. The brutality of the attack, and the vulnerability of the victims, quickly made this case a flashpoint in national debates over political violence and protester safety.

Brice was swiftly arrested, charged with multiple counts of assault and reckless endangerment, and brought to trial. In February 2025, a jury convicted him on all charges except first-degree assault, for which he was acquitted at a retrial in June. Despite the severity of the injuries and clear video evidence, Brice ultimately received a sentence of one year home detention and three years’ probation in August. Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison term, and many observers expected a much harsher penalty given the circumstances. Instead, Brice avoids jail entirely—an outcome that has angered not only the victims and their families but also the wider pro-life community.

Backlash from Pro-Life Advocates and Legal Groups

The Thomas More Society, a national legal group representing Mark Crosby, condemned the sentence as a “slap on the wrist” and warned that it sets a dangerous precedent. Thomas More Society president Tom Brejcha called the outcome “disgraceful,” arguing that it sends the message that violence against peaceful pro-life demonstrators will go unpunished. This view is echoed by pro-life leaders and legal analysts, who point out that the lenient sentence undermines trust in a justice system already under scrutiny for inconsistent treatment of political violence. The victims, both elderly and deeply shaken, demanded accountability in court. Crosby, still suffering permanent injuries, asked, “What about my rights and well-being?”—a question many conservatives believe remains unanswered.

The outrage is not limited to pro-life advocates. Legal observers note that the case exposes troubling inconsistencies in how the justice system handles politically charged incidents. During the previous administration, pro-life protesters faced aggressive prosecution and even jail time for peaceful demonstrations, while this violent attack resulted in home detention for the perpetrator. Critics argue this double standard erodes faith in equal justice under the law and threatens the constitutional rights of Americans who dissent from progressive orthodoxy.

Concerns Over Protester Safety and Constitutional Rights

This case comes at a time of heightened tension following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Protests at abortion clinics have increased, and while most are peaceful, violence remains a real threat. The assault on Crosby and Schaefer stands out not only for its brutality but for the age and peaceful nature of its victims. Many fear that if the courts do not impose real consequences for attacks on pro-life demonstrators, more violence will follow—and Americans’ ability to engage in free speech and peaceful assembly will be further endangered. Such outcomes strike at the heart of constitutional protections and the rule of law, values that conservative Americans hold dear.

Limited to state prosecution, the case did not result in federal charges under the FACE Act, which in the past has been wielded aggressively against pro-life activists. Some see this as another example of selective justice: peaceful protesters were jailed under the previous administration, but a violent offender now walks free. The perceived imbalance only intensifies calls for reform and for renewed vigilance in defending both the right to protest and the right to life.

Broader Implications for Justice and Public Safety

The fallout from this case extends beyond Baltimore. Pro-life advocates and conservative Americans across the country worry that lenient sentences for political violence will discourage peaceful advocacy and embolden those who seek to silence dissent through intimidation. The message sent by this outcome is clear: those who defend life and traditional values can be attacked with near impunity, while the justice system fails to provide equal protection. As debates continue over judicial discretion and protester safety, this case serves as a stark reminder that constitutional rights require constant vigilance—especially when the cultural and political climate grows more hostile to conservative voices.

Well the DoJ should step in and do something

This Man Dodged Prison For Beating Two Pro-Lifers. Biden Jailed Pro-Lifers Over Peaceful Protests.https://t.co/8FF6hMaVio

— proud white American (@WhiteAmeri48508) August 18, 2025

For now, Mark Crosby continues his advocacy despite permanent injuries, and the pro-life community remains determined to stand for both the unborn and the constitutional freedoms of all Americans. The fight for justice, equal protection, and the right to peaceful protest is far from over—and this disturbing case will remain a rallying point for those who believe in the rule of law and the sanctity of life.