1961: Attempt to hide the body fails for back alley abortionist

On January 21, 1961, Dr. Mandel M. Friedman contacted a Queens undertaker, asking him to arrange burial for 23-year-old Vivian Grant of New York. Friedman told the undertaker that Vivian had died of a heart ailment.

The undertaker notified authorities, who determined that although Vivian had not been pregnant, Friedman had attempted to perform an abortion on her, causing her death.

Friedman was charged with homicide and falsifying a death certificate.

Vivian's abortion was typical in that it was performed by a doctor, as was the case with perhaps 90% of criminal abortions.

Friedman resurfaced late the following year. He was charged with homicide in the September 11, 1962 death of Barbara C. Covington, age 35, a Florida socialite.

When, God willing, we restore protection from abortion, we need to keep in mind how quacks like Friedman managed to get free to kill again, and head them off at the pass.



For more on pre-legalization abortion, see The Bad Old Days of Abortion

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