James Kopp, murderer of abortion doctor, gets life in prison

[wicket]

:woohoo: One sick fuck gone for life.

LINK

Militant abortion opponent James Kopp was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison plus 10 years on federal charges for the 1998 murder of a doctor who performed abortions.

Prosecutors had asked for consecutive life sentences for Kopp, who was convicted in 2003 on a state charge of second-degree murder for Barnett Slepian's death and sentenced to prison. In January, a federal jury convicted him on related charges that he violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act by killing an abortion provider. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Mehltretter also asked for a life sentence on the count of using a firearm -- in this case a scope-equipped military assault rifle. Kopp was given life on the first charge and 10 years on the weapons charge.

Dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit and holding what appeared to be a yellow, plastic rosary, he showed no emotion as the verdict was read. He spoke for a full hour before sentencing, rambling between legal cases and his personal feelings about abortion. He insisted he never meant to kill Slepian, only to wound him, but that the bullets took an unexpected path. Kopp spoke for a full hour, rambling between legal cases and his personal feelings about abortion. He insisted he never meant to kill Slepian, only to wound him, but that the bullets took an unexpected path. "Tragic, horrible ricochet. That's how he died," said Kopp.

Lynne Slepian read from a statement that she said was on behalf of her and her four sons, all of whom were sitting in the courtroom's front row. The boys were between 7 and 15 when their father was killed. "I want Mr. Kopp to go to jail knowing he killed a wonderful man." She referred to the other anti-abortion extremists like Kopp who are still out there.

"We should all be very, very afraid that this sick mentality of James Kopp and his followers still exists."

"There are too many people who believe that what James Kopp did was not a crime, but a calling."

In her sentencing memo, Mehltretter wrote: "Dr. Slepian was gunned down in front of two of his children and his wife. A third child tried to help stem the flow of blood until paramedics arrived. For the survivors, the horror of the gun shot and seeing a loved one killed will remain with them forever."

Slepian's four sons were ages 7 to 15 when their father was shot through a window of their home on Oct. 23, 1998.

[Scout]

1. one sicko down, about a zillion more fuckheads to go.... n/t

[aquart]

2. "A yellow, plastic rosary."

Is this murderous ass claiming to be a Catholic?

[MNDemNY]

4. surprised?

[aquart]

6. Honestly? Yes.

I grew up among pragmatic rather than fanatic Catholics. It was a Jewish/Catholic neighborhood. It's Protestants I don't feel comfortable with usually. They serve portions.

[Richard Steele]

9. I am.

Generally, it's the "fundamentalist" Protestants
who strike me as the most violence-prone.

[MNDemNY]

10. Spanish inquisition anyone?

[uppityperson]

3. Good. I hope he never gets out on parole.

[AX10]

5. One more terrorist off the streets!

:kick:

[Nikki Stone1]

7. And why wasn't he charged as a domestic terrorist?

Rhetorical question, of course.

[onenote]

13. maybe because the law relating to domestic terrorism was enacted years after

this piece of vermin acted.

[malaise]

8. Good

Die in prison you MoFo

[wicket]

11. kick

:kick:

[ceile]

12. Good!

[mitchum]

14. Justice is (sort of) served (n/t)