trial in breech-birth death

PITTSBURGH -- At a hearing that drew busloads of Amish protesters, a judge yesterday ordered a midwife to stand trial in the death of an infant after a complicated home delivery.

The order that Judith Wilson, 48, face an involuntary manslaughter charge was issued a year after the county coroner recommended prosecution, saying Wilson did not do enough to help the baby when the feet-first delivery began.

Isaac Daley died Nov. 21, 2002, two days after he was born at the home of his parents, Jonathan and Heather Daley.

The Daleys have consistently said they oppose criminal charges. ''She provided the standard of care that we wanted," Jonathan Daley said after the hearing. He said children can die in hospitals, too.

A county coroner said Wilson should have recommended medical care after the boy remained in the birth canal for about 90 minutes.

Scores of supporters -- including several busloads of Amish people, who largely shun modern medicine and rely on midwives -- gathered outside the courtroom to back Wilson.