Philadelphia ( CNN ) -- The remains of aborted fetuses were stored in water jugs , pet food containers and a freezer at a West Philadelphia abortion clinic , the city 's chief medical examiner testified in the murder trial of the doctor who ran the facility . Medical Examiner Sam Gulino told jurors Monday he had to examine the remains of 47 aborted fetuses , some of which were frozen , as part of the investigation into the charges against Dr. Kermit Gosnell . Authorities accuse Gosnell , 72 , of using scissors to sever the spinal cords of fetuses who emerged from their mothers still alive . `` There was no guidance on how to proceed , '' Gulino said , adding that the lacerated fetuses had to be thawed slowly so the tissue would not be destroyed . `` I was never asked to do that ( before ) . '' Gosnell faces eight counts of murder for the deaths of seven babies and a 41-year-old Virginia woman , Karnamaya Mongar , who died of an anesthetic overdose during a second-trimester abortion . He has pleaded not guilty . A grand jury investigation determined that health and licensing officials had received repeated reports about Gosnell 's practices for two decades , but had taken no action , Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said . When authorities searched Gosnell 's office , they found bags and bottles holding aborted fetuses scattered throughout the building . Jars containing the severed feet of babies lined a shelf . Furniture and equipment was blood-stained , dusty and broken . `` My grasp of the English language does n't really allow me to fully describe how horrific this clinic was -- rotting bodies , fetal remains , the smell of urine throughout , blood-stained , '' Williams said . The remains , ranging in age from 12 to 28 weeks , were stored in a variety of non-medical containers such as a plastic water jugs or cat and dog food containers , Gulino testified during the fifth week of the trial . In Pennsylvania , abortions past 24 weeks are illegal unless the health of the mother is at stake . In the courtroom of Judge Jeffrey P. Minehart , Assistant District Attorney Edward Cameron questioned Gulino about a series of graphic photos showing several fetuses with severed limbs and `` defects '' in the back of the neck that resembled holes . When a photo of a fetus was projected onto a pull-down screen , one juror gasped and shut her eyes , while several other jurors shifted in their seats and took notes . During the exchange , Gosnell , dressed in a suit and tie , removed his glasses and intently examined the image on a nearby monitor . Along with an examination chair with stirrups facing the jury box , a sonogram machine and other medical devices are on permanent display in the center of the courtroom . Gosnell 's high-profile defense attorney , Jack McMahon , paced the courtroom during his cross examination , pressing Gulino to confirm that he could not absolutely determine that the infants were born alive . McMahon has maintained that none of the infants was killed ; rather , they were already deceased as a result of Gosnell previously administering the abortion drug Digoxin . Prior to dismissing the court Monday , Judge Minehart reminded jurors that there was `` enhanced media coverage '' of the trial and to `` remain vigilant '' in their order not to read , watch or listen to media stories relating to the proceedings . Meanwhile , a gag order remains in place preventing attorneys or the jury from speaking to the media . Also on trial is Eileen O'Neill , 56 , a medical school graduate who worked as a doctor at Gosnell 's clinic . O'Neill , who did not have a medical license , is not charged with performing abortions but with participating in the operation of a `` corrupt organization . '' If found guilty , Gosnell could be sentenced to death .
Philadelphia 's medical examiner had to thaw the remains of some fetuses . Gosnell is charged with the murder of 7 babies and a woman . He has been found guilty in two trials, but he will be sentenced on April 9th.