The mother accused of trying to self-abort her six-month-old fetus appeared before a judge Tuesday in Rutherford County.
The hearing was short, lasting only two minutes. The mother was very quiet and only spoke when the judge asked her questions.
Anna Yocca has been charged with attempted first degree murder after police said she tried to abort her baby with a coat hanger back in August.
Earlier this month, the woman was indicted and given a $200,000 bond. Tuesday, Yocca was appointed a public defender who said the case will be quite challenging.
"It's a most unusual case," Gerald Melton said. "It's one that will require a vigorous defense."
There was a group of nearly a dozen protesters who support Yocca's decision.
"This is a part of the whole onslaught and war against women," Adrienne Luendo said.
Luendo was the organizer of the group, End Patriarchy, whose members traveled from New York to attend Tuesday's hearing.
Yocca was 24 weeks pregnant when police said she attempted to abort her baby. The child survived, but will have life-altering effects. He weighed less than two pounds at birth.
Still, protesters said that women should have complete control over their bodies.
"She had every right to be able to terminate her pregnancy under any circumstances," Luendo said. "To see her in prison it breaks my heart and it's outrageous."
Yocca was scheduled to be back in court in January.
