Guest snuffbox Report post Posted March 18, 2003 BUFFALO, N.Y. (Reuters) - A judge on Tuesday found anti-abortion militant James Kopp guilty of the 1998 murder of a doctor who carried out abortions, a shooting that focused attention on abortion rights in the United States and led to a global manhunt for the killer. In a surprise switch in legal strategy last week, Kopp waived his right to a jury trial in favor of trial by a judge alone for the killing of obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Barnett Slepian, in Buffalo, New York, who provided women's medical services and abortions. Erie County Court Judge Michael D'Amico announced his verdict in the two-day trial in Buffalo, convicting Kopp of second-degree murder that carries a maximum of 25 years to life. Kopp, 48, did not react in court to the verdict. Sentencing was scheduled for May 9. The judge announced his verdict in a crowded courtroom, including Slepian's widow, after prosecutors went through a 35-page list of facts on Monday outlining ballistic and other evidence against Kopp. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ace309 Report post Posted March 18, 2003 I was there. It was bizarre. Short and sweet, Judge D'Amico came in at 2:15 and we were out of the courtroom by 2:20. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted March 18, 2003 Sigh. When will people learn that the end DOESN'T justify the means? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted March 18, 2003 He got what he deserved. Not much more needs to be said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest godthedog Report post Posted March 18, 2003 bill hicks would love the irony here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ace309 Report post Posted March 18, 2003 If I recall correctly, the term will be 25 to life. The stipulation of fact is interesting as hell. It includes at least three of the names that Kopp used, and even quotes from Kopp's confession that he took to indicate that he was not guilty but which indicate that he was indeed intending to kill Slepian. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest kkktookmybabyaway Report post Posted March 18, 2003 I heard about this on the news -- wasn't this guy's defense that he didn't mean to kill him, only wound him?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest snuffbox Report post Posted March 18, 2003 I wouldnt be suprised if he tried that 'defense'...what with him being retarded and all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ace309 Report post Posted March 18, 2003 Yes, that was his defense. If the court had accepted it, it would have acquitted him of the charge and reduced him probably to manslaughter or Murder 3 (I'm not familiar with the statutes, since I'm not a lawyer and all). However, the way they traced the path of the bullet showed that the trajectory wasn't changed by the window and it didn't deflect before entering Slepian's body, and Kopp himself was not only using a high-powered Soviet-made assault rifle, but referred to himself as an expert shot according to the stipulation of facts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest snuffbox Report post Posted March 18, 2003 Maybe as penance for this sort of shit the pro-lifers should have to include photos of bulletholes and explosion victims with all their graphic images of abortions they like to use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Spicy McHaggis Report post Posted March 19, 2003 And your bias has finally been made clear. For the record, I hope Mr. Kopp gets a life sentence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ace309 Report post Posted March 19, 2003 To be fair, the Army of God is NOT an average pro-life organization. They do NOT stand for pro-life advocates. They are violent, vile people. I am, incidentally, pro-choice, but it's important NOT to associate the Army of God with 90% of pro-life activists. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted March 19, 2003 Let's also not turn this thread into a debate over abortion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ace309 Report post Posted March 19, 2003 All I'm saying is that James Kopp and the Army of God shouldn't be used to vilify all pro-lifers. By making reference to "pro-lifers" and the tactics used only by the Army of God, you implied that was what you wanted. EDIT: My bad. Not your post. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheMikeSC Report post Posted March 19, 2003 Maybe as penance for this sort of shit the pro-lifers should have to include photos of bulletholes and explosion victims with all their graphic images of abortions they like to use. Hmm, this group of morons is apparently an example of the average pro-life group. Which might be true: As much as Earth First is an example of an average environmentalist group... Or NAMBLA is an example of an average gay rights group... Or Jese Jackson is an example of an average civil rights guy... If you don't want the right to demonize left-wing groups because of their assorted loonies, you might wish to pay the right the same respect. 'K? -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted March 19, 2003 There are many dangerous extremists on both sides of the political spectrum. It isn't a black and white issue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
