James Kopp is Found Guilty(Murderer of Abortion Doctor)

FoxNewsChannel | 3/18/03 | Myself

[Diddle E. Squat]

Just reported that James Kopp was found guilty by the judge.

Thank the Lord.

Kopp is no friend of the pro-life movement.

[Diddle E. Squat]

No more details yet, just a blurb by the Fox Newsreader.

[Catspaw]

What a surprise (not). I hope he gets life without parole, the maximum penalty allowed.

[Sacajaweau]

He would have had a better chance with a jury but then, I like short stories with a good ending.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Earlier info on his choosing not to have a jury: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/862423/posts

[FreeTally]

That was a no-brainer. Now, I just hope he gets the death penalty.

[FreeTally]

Oh crap, there's no death penalty in the State, I presume. Darn!

[Diddle E. Squat]

More info from earlier(I'm still searching for an article from today):

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/838969/posts

[Poohbah]

Looks like the Atomic Dog is going to decay for a good long time...

Watch him complain how he was "railroaded" by a "kangaroo court" and how he say that he didn't have a jury trial.

[Freakazoid]

Fry him.

[Diddle E. Squat]

http://www.nynewsday.com/nyc-kopp0318,0,1557135.story?coll=nyc-topheadlines-left


Kopp Guilty of Murder

The Associated Press
Staff Writer

March 18, 2003, 2:26 PM EST


BUFFALO, N.Y. -- An anti-abortion extremist who became one of the FBI's most-wanted fugitives following the sniper killing of an abortion provider was convicted today of second-degree murder.

James Kopp, 48, was found guilty of intentionally killing Dr. Barnett Slepian in the doctor's suburban Amherst home Oct. 23, 1998. Slepian was struck by a single bullet fired from a high-powered rifle through a rear window of his home.

Erie County Judge Michael D'Amico heard the second-degree murder case without a jury during an unusual single court session Monday.

Instead of hearing testimony, the judge was presented with a 35-page list of facts agreed to by both sides -- including an admission by Kopp that he fired the shot -- and then heard attorneys' arguments.

Kopp sought the stipulated facts trial after waiving his right to a jury trial last week.

The judge set sentencing for May 9. Kopp faces a minimum of 15 years to life and a maximum of 25 years to life.

In arguing for acquittal, defense attorney Bruce Barket said Kopp, 48, believed in the use of force to prevent abortions, but meant only to wound Slepian to prevent him from performing abortions.

Prosecutor Joseph Marusak said every step that Kopp took in planning for the attack, including his choice of weapon and the use of aliases in buying the rifle, pointed to an intention to kill.

Kopp was lying in wait for Slepian, 52, as the doctor returned home with his wife and four sons from a memorial service for his father. He was struck through a kitchen window as he heated soup.

The verdict has no effect on Kopp's upcoming federal trial on a charge of interfering with the right to an abortion related to the Slepian shooting. A status hearing in that case is scheduled for Thursday.

Kopp is a suspect in the nonfatal shootings of four other abortion providers in Canada and Rochester between 1994 and 1997. He is charged in one of the Canadian shootings.

Kopp fled to Mexico and then Ireland shortly after the 1998 shooting, and was one of the FBI's most-wanted fugitives until his capture in France in 2001.

After initially denying involvement, Kopp made a surprise confession to reporters in November. Marusak said the confession came only after Kopp was submitted to a police lineup and DNA sampling over the summer.

"He knows his goose is cooked. Now he knows about the eyewitnesses. ... He sees the avalanche coming and he can't get away with saying 'I wasn't there' anymore," he said.

[wideawake]

There is a death penalty.

The state decided to try him for second degree murder rather than first degree murder.

[Catspaw]

He was extradited from France. In order to get him back from France, the US and the state of New York had to agree that they would not ask for or impose the death penalty.

[B-Chan]

The man is a murderer -- but at least he didn't try to hide. He did the honorable thing: he submitted his actions to the judgement of the State and left it to them to decide his innocence or guilt. The fact that he openly admitted to the act and chose a judgement over a jury circus speaks well of his character.

But the law has spoken. Kopp is a murderer, and now goes to his just desserts -- which should be death. I hope he has the decency to go to that punishment with dignity. May God have mercy on his soul.

May God also bless the family of the murdered doctor, and may the souls of the babies the doctor murdered intercede for all concerned.

[Catspaw]

Watch him complain how he was "railroaded" by a "kangaroo court" and how he say that he didn't have a jury trial.

Which is why the judge, on the record, went over his waiver of a jury trial with him very carefully. But it doesn't mean he won't raise it anyway on appeal. They'll probably put in everything, including the kitchen sink.

[Protagoras]

The man is a murderer -- but at least he didn't try to hide.

Huh? He was a fugitive on the most wanted list, you don't get there by "not hiding".

[Diddle E. Squat]

-- but at least he didn't try to hide.

See post #8:

"An anti-abortion activist admitted Friday that she drove James C. Kopp to Mexico in late 1998 when he was wanted for questioning in the murder of Dr. Barnett A. Slepian."

[B-Chan]

Lest I be misunderstood: The fact that Kopp was extradited shows that -- at least in the beginning -- Kopp was attempting to evade justice. When I say that his actions at trial speak well of his character, I am talking only about his admission of guilt and his request for summary judgement, not upon his previous actions.

[Protagoras]

He did the honorable thing: he submitted his actions to the judgement of the State and left it to them to decide his innocence or guilt. The fact that he openly admitted to the act and chose a judgement over a jury circus speaks well of his character.

Wow, he sure is a guy of good character! Sheese

[Protagoras]

The fact that Kopp was extradited shows that -- at least in the beginning -- Kopp was attempting to evade justice.

Yes, he gave up as soon as they caught him. Yikes!