If a fetus isn't a person, how can someone be charged with double homicide for killing a pregnant woman?

[Osito]

Because a fetus doesn't matter unless it's wanted.

[Teddy52]

Originally Posted by Osito

Because a fetus doesn't matter unless it's wanted.

Does that mean if a guy is drunk, runs a red light, hits a car and kills a pregnant woman he can only be charged with killing the woman?

If the woman was on the way to her abortion appointment at the abortion clinic ?

[kitty61]

The difference is that the pregnant woman did not choose to be murdered therefore she had no role in an abortion. Her child died as a result of its mother being murdered. Two murders.

[AnywhereElse]

This is being discussed right now in "Great Debates": should someone who killed a pregnant women be charged with two murders

It depends on the state, I have linked in the statutes in the different states in "Great Debates". States vary. Some had to put an exception for killing/murder and make it OK because of abortion. Someone giving the order to kill their baby while still in the womb is considered OK, while someone not getting the OK from the mother and doing something to result in the death of the baby often makes it a murder.