Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 3, 1994 TAG: 9411030096
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: NATL/INTL EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PENSACOLA, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
Paul Hill, 40, could receive either life in prison or death in the electric chair. The jury will return today to decide.
Hill, acting as his own lawyer, offered no defense during his three-day trial, refusing to make any statement or question any witnesses. Circuit Judge Frank Bell had barred him from arguing that the slayings were justifiable homicide to save fetuses.
``I have nothing to say, your honor,'' the blond-haired, bespectacled Hill said before deliberations began. He showed no emotion as the verdict was read.
Wielding a 12-gauge shotgun, Hill ambushed Dr. John B. Britton, 69; his unarmed bodyguard, James H. Barrett, 74; and Barrett's wife, June, 68, as the three arrived at the Ladies Center abortion clinic on July 29. He was convicted of attempted murder for wounding June Barrett.
Last month, Hill became the first person convicted of violating the new federal law against harassing or using violence against people entering abortion clinics. He could get up to life in prison.
Before the shootings, Hill had openly advocated killing abortion doctors. He said such slayings were divinely sanctioned.
``Now is the time to defend the unborn, the same way you'd defend slaves about to be murdered!'' he shouted as he was taken to jail after his arrest.
One of his supporters, Louisville attorney Vincent F. Heuser Jr., said Hill still believes he acted correctly. ``I don't know that he is so-called ready to die, but I think he is at peace with what he's accused of and what he now stands convicted of,'' Heuser said. ``I think he believes it was the right thing to do.''
Leaders of the National Organization for Women and the Feminist Majority, who closely followed the trial, said Hill shouldn't be executed. Instead, they called on the government to do more to round up anti-abortion terrorists.
by CNB