Ex-Physician Named to Compliance Panel Quits

A former physician newly appointed to monitor doctors’ compliance with the state’s abortion law resigned because of public criticism of his past imprisonment for molesting a child.

Herbert W. Ketterman acknowledged that he was not prepared for the reaction to his appointment, made by Gov. Joan Finney. His resignation Thursday came less than 48 hours after his appointment became publicly known.

Some state officials were stunned by Ketterman’s appointment, and Republicans strongly criticized it. Finney, a Democrat, said she wanted to give him a second chance after his rehabilitation.