Newsom blocks Louisiana from extraditing doctor accused of mailing abortion pills

Published: Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 3:21 am

California Governor Blocks Extradition of Doctor in Abortion Pill Case

Sacramento, CA - California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced he will block Louisiana's attempt to extradite a California-based doctor accused of mailing abortion pills. The decision, announced Wednesday, follows a request from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who sought to bring the physician "to justice."

The case involves a physician in the San Francisco Bay Area, Remy Coeytaux, who allegedly provided abortion pills to a Louisiana woman in 2023. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill stated Coeytaux faces a criminal charge of abortion by means of abortion-inducing drugs, potentially leading to a 50-year jail sentence if convicted.

Governor Newsom cited a 2022 executive order that prevents California state agencies from assisting other states in prosecuting abortion providers. He stated that extraditing the doctor would violate this order.

The Louisiana woman who received the pills, Rosalie Markezich, and Attorney General Murrill are involved in a lawsuit aimed at blocking telehealth prescriptions of mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions. Markezich claims her then-boyfriend used her email to order the pills and that she felt coerced.

The case highlights the differing legal landscapes surrounding abortion access in the United States. Louisiana has some of the strictest anti-abortion laws, while California has enacted measures to protect abortion providers from prosecution for treating out-of-state patients. Medication abortion, involving pills, is the most common method of abortion in the U.S.

BNN's Perspective: This situation underscores the growing divide in the United States regarding reproductive rights. While states like Louisiana seek to enforce strict anti-abortion laws, others, like California, are actively working to protect access to abortion services. This clash of legal philosophies is likely to continue, leading to further legal challenges and political debates.

Keywords: Gavin Newsom, abortion pills, extradition, Louisiana, Jeff Landry, Remy Coeytaux, abortion, medication abortion, mifepristone, reproductive rights, California, anti-abortion laws, telehealth, Rosalie Markezich, Liz Murrill

Full Story