Joshua Woodward was released from a downtown Los Angeles jail on Thursday night. He is accused of giving his then-girlfriend drugs to cause a miscarriage after learning she was pregnant in 2009. She ultimately had a miscarriage.
Woodward has pleaded not guilty to four counts of attempted murder. According to the district attorney's office, he tried to kill "Baby Doe" four times in September and October 2009 using misoprostol, a drug that can terminate early-stage pregnancies.
Prosecutors allege Woodward had begged the woman to terminate her pregnancy, saying it would "ruin his life," but she refused. Forensic analysis of Woodward's computer showed he researched drugs and other ways to cause a miscarriage, prosecutors said.
According to court papers, prosecutors believe Woodward obtained misoprostol on the black market. In one attempt, Woodward allegedly put a pill in a drink that the woman was drinking, and she "became violently ill and suffered from severe nausea and diarrhea," court papers state.
On Oct 25, 2009, Woodward went to his girlfriend's apartment, where he was detained by police. Prosecutors say he tried to discard a baggie containing white powder, which was tested and found to be misoprostol.
Woodward's next court appearance was scheduled for Nov. 29. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
