Violent Attack Rocks Baltimore’s Pro-Life Community
On a quiet morning in May 2023, two elderly men stood outside a Baltimore Planned Parenthood, praying and offering help to women. Then, Patrick Brice, a 28-year-old local, unleashed a brutal attack that left one man with permanent eye damage and another knocked unconscious. This shocking assault grabbed headlines, but the real outrage came later—a judge’s decision that many call a slap on the wrist. What happened in that courtroom, and why are people so angry?
Assault Details Spark Community Anger
On May 26, 2023, Mark Crosby, 73, and Richard Schaefer, 84, were peacefully advocating outside the clinic. Suddenly, Brice charged at Schaefer, shoving him into a planter. When Crosby tried to help, Brice punched and kicked him in the head. Crosby suffered broken facial bones and permanent vision loss. Meanwhile, Schaefer was briefly unconscious. The attack, caught on camera, showed Brice’s rage, yet he later claimed a racial slur provoked him—a claim the victims’ lawyer flatly denied.
Courtroom Drama Ends in Controversy
In February 2025, a jury convicted Brice of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. However, the first-degree assault charge stalled, leading to a retrial. Shockingly, on June 25, 2025, Judge Yvette M. Bryant acquitted Brice of the felony charge. Then, on August 7, she sentenced him to just one year of home detention and probation. Prosecutors pushed for 10 years in prison, but Bryant’s leniency left victims and advocates reeling. Why such a soft sentence for such a violent act?
Victims Vow to Continue Their Mission
Despite the trauma, Crosby and Schaefer remain unbroken. Crosby, in a heartfelt statement, called the attack “callous” and described Brice leaving them helpless on the ground. Yet, he plans to return to the clinic, driven by his faith and mission to save lives. Schaefer, too, refuses to back down. Their courage stands in stark contrast to the court’s decision, which critics say mocks justice for elderly victims of violence.
Judge’s Ruling Fuels Soft-on-Crime Debate
Judge Bryant’s decision to spare Brice prison time has ignited fury. Advocates, like the Thomas More Society, call it a “travesty,” arguing it emboldens attacks on pro-life activists. Maryland Right to Life pointed out the irony: the federal FACE Act, meant to protect both sides of the abortion debate, wasn’t used against Brice. Therefore, many see this as a double standard, with the judge’s silence during sentencing adding fuel to claims of bias in Maryland’s courts.
A Call for Accountability in Baltimore
The Patrick Brice case exposes a painful truth: two elderly men were brutally attacked for their beliefs, yet the attacker walks free with minimal consequences. The judge’s soft-on-crime stance has left a community demanding answers. This shocking case raises a vital question: If the courts won’t protect vulnerable advocates, who will?
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