Two elderly pro-life activists are still fighting for justice after a violent assault outside a Baltimore Planned Parenthood left one of them partially blind and severely injured.
At a Glance
- Mark Crosby, 75, and Richard Schaefer, 86, were attacked by 28-year-old Patrick Brice outside a Baltimore Planned Parenthood in May 2023
- Crosby suffered a fractured facial bone, blindness in one eye, head and neck pain, two fractured fingers, and severe bruising
- Brice was convicted of lesser charges but a retrial for first-degree assault is scheduled for May 28
- The victims consider the attack a hate crime, claiming Brice ripped off Crosby’s crucifix during the assault
- Despite the attack, both elderly men continue their pro-life advocacy outside Planned Parenthood
Brutal Attack on Pro-Life Seniors
The attack occurred on May 26, 2023, at the Planned Parenthood healthcare center on North Howard Street in Baltimore. Video evidence showed Patrick Brice having an aggressive confrontation with 86-year-old Richard Schaefer before physically attacking him. When 75-year-old Mark Crosby attempted to intervene, Brice shoved him to the ground and repeatedly punched him, resulting in severe injuries that required three days of hospitalization and multiple follow-up emergency room visits.
According to police reports, responding officers found Crosby with “a large lump forming on his right eyebrow and blood and swelling around the right eye and right side of his face.” The attack stemmed from an ideological confrontation over abortion rights, as the two elderly men were engaged in pro-life advocacy outside the facility when Brice approached them.
Quest for Justice Delayed
Despite the severity of the assault, Crosby and his supporters believe the Baltimore legal system is failing to deliver appropriate justice. In March, Brice was found guilty of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment, but a jury was deadlocked on the more serious first-degree assault charge. The Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office has scheduled a retrial for May 28, nearly two years after the initial attack.
“They want us to get hurt again so we go away. But I’m not going away until this guy goes to jail,” said Crosby.
During the first trial, Brice’s defense attorney accused the pro-life activists of using a racial slur, an allegation that appeared to influence the jury. Crosby claims he was not permitted to respond to these allegations or show his injuries to the jury, hampering his ability to present his case fully. The elderly activist now feels there is no “equal protection under the law” in Baltimore City.
Religious Hate Crime Allegations
Crosby is advocating for the attack to be classified as a hate crime, asserting that Brice deliberately targeted him for his religious beliefs and pro-life stance. According to Crosby, during the assault, Brice ripped a crucifix from around his neck, which was later found in nearby bushes. This action, Crosby believes, demonstrates clear religious animus that should merit hate crime charges.
“We also want this [treated as] a hate crime because he ripped off my crucifix which was around my neck, it ended up in the bushes,” Crosby stated. “It was definitely a hate crime also, but these Baltimore City state attorneys are dragging their feet on everything.”
The Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office has not publicly commented on the possibility of pursuing hate crime charges against Brice. The absence of such charges has frustrated pro-life advocates who view this case as emblematic of what they perceive as unequal treatment under the law based on political and religious affiliations.
Unwavering Commitment Despite Dangers
Despite sustaining life-altering injuries and facing ongoing threats, both Crosby and Schaefer have returned to their pro-life advocacy outside Planned Parenthood. Crosby’s injuries were substantial, including a fractured facial bone that resulted in partial blindness in one eye, chronic head and neck pain, two fractured fingers, and extensive bruising. Nevertheless, his resolve remains unshaken.
Planned Parenthood of Maryland issued a statement following the incident, saying, “We at Planned Parenthood of Maryland condemn all violence. When abortion care is under attack across the country, we cannot tolerate violent acts from anywhere—especially when it gets in the way of patients’ receiving proper health care.” This statement has done little to assuage the concerns of pro-life advocates who feel their safety and right to protest are not being adequately protected in Baltimore.
