Planned Parenthood grand jury gets attorneys

? Two attorneys will advise a grand jury created to consider allegations of wrongdoing against a Planned Parenthood clinic in Overland Park.

Johnson County District Judge Kevin Moriarty said he appointed the two attorneys after the grand jury requested one, as allowed under state law.

Abortion opponents, led by the group Operation Rescue, forced the county to create the grand jury to examine the activities of the Planned Parenthood clinic.

Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline already has filed 107 criminal charges, including 23 felonies. Planned Parenthood officials have said the clinic follows the law, and Attorney General Paul Morrison told its attorneys in June that his review of evidence previously collected by the office showed no wrongdoing.

Moriarty appointed Larry McLain, a retired Johnson County judge, and Rick Merker, of Lenexa, as the grand jury’s attorneys.

Kline spokesman Brian Burgess said the district attorney’s office will not comment on the grand jury’s internal workings.