Two elderly pro-life protesters were violently attacked outside a Baltimore Planned Parenthood, raising alarms about ideological violence and judicial inconsistency.
At a Glance
- Pro-life activists Mark Crosby and Richard Schaefer were assaulted during a demonstration in Baltimore
- Patrick Brice, 28, was found guilty of lesser charges and faces a retrial for first-degree assault on May 28
- Victims and advocates are pushing for hate crime charges after Brice allegedly tore a crucifix from Crosby’s neck
- The incident left Crosby partially blind with a fractured facial bone
- Planned Parenthood condemned the violence and called for non-violence in all healthcare spaces
Violence Outside the Clinic
A violent altercation outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Baltimore has reignited national debates around protest rights and abortion politics. On May 26, 2023, pro-life demonstrators Mark Crosby, 75, and Richard Schaefer, 86, were allegedly attacked by 28-year-old Patrick Brice during what began as a verbal dispute. The incident left Crosby with severe facial trauma, including a fractured bone and partial blindness.
Watch a report: Baltimore Assault on Elderly Pro-Lifers.
Brice was initially convicted of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment, but will now face a retrial on more serious charges of first-degree assault. During the first trial, Crosby was not permitted to present evidence of his injuries or counter the defense’s allegations of racial slurs. Brice has not commented publicly on the case.
Demands for Hate Crime Charges
Mark Crosby has openly accused Baltimore officials of delaying justice, calling for the assault to be recognized as a hate crime. According to Crosby, Brice ripped a crucifix from his neck during the attack—an act that advocates believe qualifies under hate crime statutes. “It was definitely a hate crime,” Crosby stated, accusing prosecutors of dragging their feet.
Despite repeated requests, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office has not confirmed whether it is considering hate crime charges. Advocates say the failure to treat the case with urgency sends a chilling message to peaceful protestors across the country.
A Flashpoint in the Abortion Debate
Planned Parenthood of Maryland issued a statement condemning the violence, emphasizing that all forms of aggression—regardless of political ideology—undermine the mission of patient care and public safety. Meanwhile, Crosby and Schaefer continue their demonstrations outside the clinic, despite the risks.
As tensions mount ahead of Brice’s retrial on May 28, this case has become a symbol of deeper national fractures: the right to protest, the boundaries of civil discourse, and the legal system’s obligation to uphold justice without bias. Whether the court acknowledges the religious and ideological dimensions of the attack remains to be seen—but for Crosby, the mission is clear: “I’m not going away until this guy goes to jail.”
