A plea agreement is on the table for Lorna Roxanne Green, the 22-year-old accused of setting fire to Wyoming's first full-service abortion clinic in years. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday before U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson in Cheyenne. Green, who reportedly confessed to igniting the blaze at the Wellspring Health Access clinic in Casper, could face up to two decades in prison and a hefty fine if convicted of arson. However, the plea bargain may result in a reduced sentence.

Green was apprehended nearly a year after the incident, which significantly delayed the clinic's opening. She had allegedly told investigators that the clinic's existence caused her distress, leading to nightmares. Security footage and eyewitness accounts reportedly corroborate her confession of purchasing gasoline and other materials, breaking into the clinic, and starting the fire. The case saw little progress until a reward increase prompted tips that identified Green as the suspect.

While Green has remained largely silent about her personal views on abortion, the incident has intensified the already heated debate surrounding abortion access in Wyoming. The clinic, which offers both surgical and medication abortions, has become a focal point for protests. Its opening was a significant development in a state where abortion access has been limited, forcing many women to seek services in neighboring states. The legal landscape remains complex, with ongoing court battles over state laws attempting to restrict abortion access conflicting with a state constitutional amendment protecting healthcare decision-making.

The fire at the Wellspring Health Access clinic, orchestrated by a young woman claiming to be troubled by its presence, underscores the passionate divisions surrounding abortion rights in Wyoming. The upcoming plea hearing will mark a critical juncture in the legal proceedings, potentially impacting the future of abortion access in the state.