Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams charged Doctor Kermit Gosnell with first degree murder in the killing of seven viable babies born alive, among numerous other charges made on Wednesday.

Gosnell, 69, is also accused of causing the death of at least one of his female patients, and killing the babies by severing their spinal cords at the base of the neck with a pair of scissors, according to a Grand Jury statement.

A raid of Gosnell's office in West Philadelphia in Feburary, known as the Women's Medical Society, revealed that bags and bottles holding aborted fetuses were scattered throughout the building. Gosnell's license was suspended by the Pennsylvania Department of State.

In an practice that defies explanation and was described by one medical expert as being bizarre, 30 jars were found containing the severed feet of babies lining a shelf.

He was also charged with infanticide, conspiracy and abortion at 24 or more weeks, among other charges

Unlicensed, untrained staff administered drugs to induce labor and deliver the breathing, crying babies.

Gosnell charged more as the gestational ages increased. Among the prices, he charged $330 for abortions between 6 and 12 weeks of pregnancy, $950 between weeks 19 and 20, and $1,625 between 23 and 24 weeks. For pregnancies beyond 24 weeks sometimes cost $2,500 or more, according to the report.

Pearl Gosnell, a medical assistant and the doctor's wife, testified she alone assisted her husband with procedures on Sunday when the office was normally closed. Very late-term abortions were done then, other staff said.

Kermit Gosnell and two employees were also charged with third-degree murder for drug delivery resulting in the death of one female patient, Karnamaya Mongar.

Medicine Abortion