Abortionist pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter

Abortionist Rapin Osathanondh has plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter for his role in the death of Laura Hope Smith. He will be sentenced today and plea agreement recommends he spend 3 months in jail and 9 months in home confinement. Osathandonh also settled a civil suit (terms weren't released) the Smiths had filed against him.

The guilty plea followed an agreement between Cape and Islands First Assistant District Attorney Brian Glenny and defense attorneys Paul Cirel and Serina Barkley of Boston.

For several hours yesterday, the lawyers negotiated back and forth, going to and from the chambers of Superior Court Judge Gary Nickerson with reports of their progress. Throughout the day Glenny frequently stopped to discuss matters with Smith's parents, Tom and Eileen Smith. At the same time, Cirel and Barkley took their client aside to privately discuss offers on the table.

Osathanondh faced a possible 20 years in state prison. But the recommended sentence, endorsed by prosecutor and defense, calls for less time in jail.

He is scheduled to be sentenced today in Superior Court.

If Nickerson approves that sentence — and there was nothing yesterday to suggest the judge would not — Osathanondh will serve three months in a county jail, nine months under home confinement with an electronic monitoring device, and three years of probation. Additionally, under the terms of this plea agreement, he must not practice medicine, nor teach.