Connecticut v. Menillo

In 1971 a jury convicted Patrick Menillo of attempting to procure an abortion in violation of Connecticut’s criminal abortion statute. Menillo is not a physician and has never had any medical training. The Connecticut Supreme Court nevertheless overturned Menillo’s conviction, holding that under the decisions in Roe v. Wade, 410 U. S. 113 (1973), and Doe v. Bolton, 410 U. S. 179 (1973), the Connecticut statute was “null and void.” As we think the Connecticut court misinterpreted Roe and Doe, we grant the State’s petition for certiorari and vacate the judgment.

The statute under which Menillo…