Abortion provider killer on trial in NY

[Judi Lynn]

Jan. 4, 2007, 3:24AM
Abortion provider killer on trial in NY

By CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press



James Kopp is escorted to the courtroom for his non-jury trial, Monday, March, 17, 2003, in Buffalo, N.Y. More than eight years after Kopp gunned down an abortion provider in his home, the government will get its chance to prosecute the anti-abortion extremist already convicted of murder, with the goal of eliminating any distant chance for his release. Kopp, 52, is serving a 25-year-to-life state sentence after being found guilty of second-degree murder in the 1998 sniper slaying of Dr. Barnett Slepian in his home. (AP Photo/David Duprey, file)
David Duprey: AP

BUFFALO, N.Y. — More than three years after James Kopp was convicted of gunning down an abortion provider in the doctor's home, federal prosecutors want to make sure the anti-abortion extremist remains in prison for life.

Kopp is already serving a 25-year-to-life state sentence after being convicted of second-degree murder in the 1998 sniper slaying of Dr. Barnett Slepian.

In a federal trial that begins here Thursday, the government will try to put Kopp away forever, arguing that by shooting an abortion provider, Kopp violated the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

Kopp, 52, is also charged with using a firearm _ a Russian assault rifle _ during a violent crime.

Conviction could carry a sentence of life without parole.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4443345.html

[krispos42]

1. Another domestic terrorist goes to trial

Oh, wait, it's a white Christian pro-lifer, and we all know they're NEVER EVER terrorists. :sarcasm:

[rpannier]

4. Obviously you haven't been reading your Bible closely now have you?

It's in John somewhere in the middle, or the end, or the middle of the end.

And Jesus upon entering the village of Mordor stopped and turned to the multitudes and said, "There is a healer in this town who is doing Satan's bidding."

The people looked at one another in confusion, as the only healer in town was Doctor Goodwin. "Who is this man teacher? Tell us what he has done."

"He hath been committing an abomination."

"What and who?" the cried out.

"Dr. Goodwin has been committing abortions."

"The crowd looked at one another, then in chorus said, "What, Lord?"

"Abortions. And for this we must toss him in a pit and stone him to death." Then, before walking away said, "Besides, he's also Gay."


See??? So he can't be a terrorist because he's doing Jesus' work.

[ClintonTyree]

2. There has never been an ounce of remorse...

shown by Kopp for anything he's done. It is my opinion that if he were to be paroled at some point in time that he would again take up his "cause", no matter what age he was.
As for his supporters..... "How can a man get a fair trial if he's not allowed to say, `This is why I did this?'" said John Tomasello, a Kopp supporter who was arrested with the activist at an abortion protest in Burlington, Vt., in 1990. Like an explanation of his "cause" is going to make the crime any less heinous. It doesn't matter what his reasons were, real or imagined. The fact that he terrorized western New York and Canada for a decade, killed one man and attempted the murder of others is reason enough to ensure this "holy warrior" never sees the outside of a prison again. Fucking scum. What a wonderful christian. :sarcasm:

I hope he makes some real nice friends in prison and that he's never at a loss for "tossed salad". :grr:

[High Plains]

11. Wishing for some prison rape, are we?

That kind of crap should be beneath us.

[High Plains]

12. Self-delete. Posted in the wrong place.

[rpannier]

3. Notice he's not a terrorist

I happen to think he's more dangerous to Ameicans at this moment

[Mikey929]

10. How?

The man obviously deserves life in prison for ever. He's a murderer, plain and simple. But how is he more dangerous to Americans?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

16. Finally found a way to say something positive about the guy, huh?

Yes, he's less dangerous than some terrorists because, as far as we know, he plans to kill less people. Wow, what an outstanding merit.

[Missy M]

5. This terrorist killer hid in the woods, in the dark and murdered...

Dr. Slepian in front of his wife and children, in his own home. He is nothing but a cold hearted killer and deserves nothing less than life in prison with no parole. I'm sure he is a hero to the Right to Lifers, how ironic is that.

[MissMillie]

6. Not that I'm a death penalty fan

but can't we use these people's thinking right back at them.

If we kill them, then they can't kill any more doctors, right?

[chelsea0011]

7. And the Feds have never gone after the groups he has associated

with. These groups are terrorist organizations but for some reason are allowed total free reign, even when they kill. Meanwhile, Muslims get arrested and locked away for, what is now becoming apparent, next to nothing.

[B3Nut]

9. And they won't, because

those groups are Bush's base. You aren't a terrorist if you voted for Bush. :sarcasm:

I'm much more concerned about violence from the extreme right in this country than from any middle-eastern group. The former is a much more demonstrable danger, but nothing is done about them.

What a great pro-life group, so pro-life they'll kill you if you disagree. I'm blinded by the consistency and coherence of their logic, honestly.... :sarcasm:

Todd in Beerbratistan

[Dulcinea]

8. Throw the book at him.

Send him away forever, so he never sees the light of day again.

Too bad they can't send him to Supermax.

[High Plains]

13. I have no sympathy for this guy whatsoever, but...

...this smells like legal overkill for reasons of political posturing. They guy is 52 years old and has already been sentenced to 25-years to life. But what the hell, let's have a show trial.

[RaleighNCDUer]

14. 25 to life, on a 2nd degree murder charge mean he'll be getting

out in 18 years, from the time of his sentencing, minus time served pre-sentencing. He never shown remorse, he has the 'strength of his convictions' and will do the same again when he is out. He is a fanatical true believer who cannot see the light of day again because he is a threat to the community.

This is the kind of guy we build prisons for.

[Eugene]

15. AP: Kopp Jurors Questioned on Abortion

Kopp Jurors Questioned on Abortion
Potential jurors in Kopp trial questioned on abortion, publicity

BUFFALO, N.Y., Jan. 4, 2007
By CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press Writer

(AP) Jury selection began Thursday in the federal trial of an anti-abortion extremist
who shot and killed an abortion provider, on a charge that could keep him behind bars
forever.

The roughly 100 people in the jury pool were questioned about their views on abortion
and their knowledge of the the 1998 sniper slaying of Dr. Barnett Slepian. They filled
out questionnaires that Kopp, who is representing himself, and prosecutors will use
to narrow the field.

James Kopp already is serving a 25-year-to-life state sentence after being convicted
of second-degree murder. Federal prosecutors contend that the shooting also violated
the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

Kopp, 52, also is charged with using a firearm during a killing.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/04/ap/national/mainD8MEN7LO0.shtml

[iverglas]

17. no shortage of ways to keep him locked up

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/01/10/cda-kopp.html

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 | 7:01 AM PT
CBC News

U.S. abortion sniper's trial followed by Canadian police

... Canadian police have a warrant for Kopp, the prime suspect in the non-fatal shootings of doctors who performed abortions in Winnipeg, Vancouver and Ancaster, Ont., in the 1990s, Winnipeg police Sgt. John Burchill said.

... "It (the US trial) didn't deal with anything that happened in Canada. So nobody has been held accountable or responsible for what's happened in Canada."

... Dr. Jack Fainman, a Winnipeg gynecologist, was wounded by a sniper's bullet at his home in November 1997. Kopp is also considered a suspect in a 1994 doctor shooting in Vancouver, and he was charged with attempted murder in the 1995 Ancaster (Ontario) shooting of Dr. Hugh Short.

"Once all the proceedings have run their course in the United States, including the appeals, the Canadian authorities do have the option to initiate extradition proceedings," said Burchill.

... However, it is unlikely Kopp would serve time in Canada because he's already serving 25 years to life in the U.S. prison system.

If y'all ever get tired of him, let us know.