Appeals Court Upholds Life Sentence for Anti-Abortion Extremist

Today, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan found no merit to challenges raised by anti-abortion extremist and murderer James Kopp, including an argument that his sniper-style slaying in 1998 of NAF member Dr. Barnett Slepian in the kitchen of his suburban Buffalo home was not intentional.

According to the court, “Kopp was convicted under a law that only requires that he acted with intent to injure Slepian because he had provided reproductive health services. The statute allows for a life prison sentence if death results.”

Kopp was sentenced in June 2007 to life in prison plus 10 years for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and for using a firearm to commit a violent act.

>Learn more about clinic violence and anti-abortion extremists.