By: Associated Press//May 27, 2011//
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say they may pursue a felony charge against a Marshfield man accused of plotting to kill Madison abortion providers.
They charged 63-year-old Ralph Lang on Thursday with a misdemeanor count of attempting to injure or intimate a person who provides reproductive health services. U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil said he’s considering pursuing a felony charge under a section of U.S. code that bars anyone from threatening or intimidating anyone who is participating in or receiving benefits from a program that receives federal money.
Lang is accused of planning to shoot abortion providers at Planned Parenthood’s Madison clinic. The facility receives a mix of state and federal funding for women’s health services.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Oppeneer on Friday ordered Lang detained pending a hearing. His attorney declined comment.