Brutal Baltimore Attack Sparks Outrage—Justice System Under Fire

Judge's gavel on desk with person writing.

An elderly pro-life advocate was left hospitalized after a brutal attack outside a Baltimore Planned Parenthood, but the assailant faces sentencing only on lesser charges—fueling anger over protester safety and justice for America’s vulnerable voices.

Story Snapshot

Patrick Brice was convicted of assaulting two elderly pro-life sidewalk advocates but acquitted of the most serious charge.
Violence against peaceful protesters raises alarm about free speech and constitutional protections.
The attack’s handling has sparked debate over bias and fairness in the justice system.
Advocacy groups warn the case could impact protester safety and future legal precedents.

Assault on Pro-Life Advocates and Erosion of Protester Safety

On May 26, 2023, Baltimore’s Planned Parenthood clinic became the scene of shocking violence when 28-year-old Patrick Brice attacked two elderly pro-life sidewalk advocates, Mark Crosby (73) and Richard Schaefer (84). Surveillance footage showed Brice’s assault left Crosby with severe facial injuries, requiring hospitalization. The attack, widely circulated online, highlighted the vulnerability of older Americans engaged in constitutionally protected protest, and has since become a rallying point for those concerned about the right to peaceful assembly and the safety of dissenting voices on public issues.

Brice was arrested in June 2023 and released without bail—a decision that drew criticism from those who believe the justice system too often fails to protect law-abiding citizens, especially elderly Americans exercising their First Amendment rights. In February 2025, a jury found Brice guilty of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment, but could not agree on a verdict for first-degree assault. This led to a retrial, where on June 25, 2025, Brice was acquitted of the most serious charge. Despite evidence and the severity of the victims’ injuries, Brice will only face sentencing on the lesser convictions, leaving many to question whether the courts are truly prioritizing the safety of peaceful demonstrators.

Justice System Scrutiny and Accusations of Bias

The handling of Brice’s prosecution has become a flashpoint in national conversations about protester safety and judicial impartiality. Both victims, well-known for their longstanding sidewalk advocacy, have voiced frustration with what they perceive as leniency and a lack of urgency from authorities. Mark Crosby, who suffered severe injuries, publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, alleging systemic bias against pro-life advocates. The State’s Attorney’s Office initially sought a conviction on the most serious charge, but the judge’s acquittal after a hung jury has deepened skepticism about whether justice is served for those who stand up for traditional values.

Legal experts point to the challenges in securing felony convictions when evidence is open to interpretation, particularly in politically charged cases. The ambiguity cited by the judge in reviewing video footage underscores how even documented attacks can fall short of the legal standards required for harsher penalties. This outcome has galvanized pro-life and conservative advocacy groups, who argue the case illustrates a broader pattern of selective enforcement and leniency that undermines faith in the legal system’s commitment to protecting all Americans equally—especially those with unpopular or unfashionable views.

Broader Implications: Free Speech, Security, and Political Tensions

The attack and its legal aftermath have ignited concern about the future of constitutionally protected protest. In the immediate term, pro-life organizations report increased anxiety for volunteers, particularly at high-risk sites like abortion clinics where passions run high. Security costs for clinics and law enforcement presence may rise, but the chilling effect on free speech is of even greater concern. The case is now cited by advocacy groups as evidence that peaceful demonstrators—especially those defending life and traditional values—face both physical dangers and institutional neglect.

Longer-term, this incident could shape policy and legal precedent on the right to protest, the duties of law enforcement, and the penalties for violence at public demonstrations. The stark division between pro-life and pro-choice groups has only intensified, as both sides point to the Baltimore case to support their arguments about safety, justice, and the rule of law. As sentencing approaches, the outcome will be closely watched by those who see the incident as emblematic of the ongoing struggle to defend liberty, family, and the foundational rights enshrined in the Constitution.