Final Charge Dismissed in California Case Against Pro-Life Journalists

The 10-year legal battle against the Center for Medical Progress founder and an undercover reporter has ended.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:22am

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A close-up painting of a legal document or gavel resting on a wooden table, with warm, dramatic lighting casting long shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the resolution of a complex legal case.The dismissal of the final charge against pro-life journalists who exposed alleged fetal body parts practices marks the end of a decade-long legal battle.Orange Today

The final charge in a California case against pro-life journalists who exposed the abortion industry's fetal body parts practices was dismissed on Wednesday. The case against David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt, which lasted nearly a decade, has now been completely expunged after a settlement was reached in 2025.

Why it matters

This case highlighted the ongoing tensions between pro-life activists and the abortion rights movement, with the state of California aggressively prosecuting the journalists who uncovered alleged illegal practices. The dismissal of the final charge is seen as a victory for free speech and investigative journalism, even on controversial topics.

The details

In 2015, Daleiden and Merritt released undercover videos of Planned Parenthood, the National Abortion Federation, and biomedical research companies regarding the alleged trafficking of aborted baby body parts. In 2017, the California Department of Justice filed an arrest warrant against them, accusing them of violating a state recording law. After an arduous 10-year legal battle, the final charge was dismissed on Wednesday as part of a settlement reached in 2025.

  • In 2015, Daleiden and Merritt released the undercover videos.
  • In 2017, the California Department of Justice filed an arrest warrant against them.
  • In January 2025, California negotiated a settlement with Daleiden and Merritt.
  • On April 2, 2026, the final charge was officially dismissed.

The players

David Daleiden

The founder and president of the Center for Medical Progress, who released the undercover videos exposing the alleged fetal body parts practices of the abortion industry.

Sandra Merritt

An undercover reporter who worked with Daleiden to release the videos exposing the alleged fetal body parts practices of the abortion industry.

Steve Cooley

The former Los Angeles County District Attorney who led Daleiden's legal defense team throughout the case.

Rob Bonta

The current California Attorney General who announced the 2025 plea deal as a 'felony conviction' and pitched it as a pro-abortion victory.

Kamala Harris

The former California Attorney General who ordered a raid on Daleiden's apartment in 2016 and seized his investigative materials, which were later passed on to the National Abortion Federation.

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What they’re saying

“In my five decades as an attorney, 40 years of which were as a prosecutor, I have never seen such a blatant exercise of selective investigation and vindictive prosecution.”

— Steve Cooley, Former Los Angeles County District Attorney

“Sandra Merritt did nothing wrong. She did the right thing by exposing the depravity of the abortion industry. This plea agreement ends an unjust criminal case by dropping these baseless criminal charges without any prison time, fines or other penalties. Sandra deserves to be applauded and acclaimed for revealing these horrors and then enduring this selective and vindictive prosecution as a result.”

— Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel

What’s next

Daleiden announced that the Center for Medical Progress has been 'quietly working on a big new project to release soon', hinting at further investigative efforts.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between pro-life activists and the abortion rights movement, with the state of California aggressively prosecuting journalists who uncovered alleged illegal practices. The dismissal of the final charge is seen as a victory for free speech and investigative journalism, even on controversial topics.