Therefore, the Law of 15 February 1942, made abortion a crime against state security, punishable by the death penalty. The law was repealed after the Libération. The trial At trial, the President stressed the "immorality" of the accused. Twenty-seven women had used Giraud's services. According to the Advocate General, the death penalty was "necessary" in Giraud's case. The court sentenced Giraud to death. Only a presidential pardon could save her life, but Marshal Pétain refused to commute the sentence. Remarks At the same time in 1942, the recently created College of Physicians was allowed to perform abortions not only if the mother's life was in danger, but also when her health was seriously compromised. Switzerland was also among the first countries to allow abortions if the life or health of the mother was in danger. In July 2004, abortions under a physician's supervision were certified by the French Ministry of Health after the legalization of abortion in 1975. Bibliography Mireille Le Maguet, Une "faiseuse d'anges" sous Vichy : le cas Marie-Louise Giraud, Institut d'études politiques de Grenoble, Saint-Martin-d'Hères, 1996, 128 p. (Mémoire) Executed French women French abortion providers 1903 births 1943 deaths Executed French people People executed by France by decapitation People executed by Vichy France