THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, January 26, 1995             TAG: 9501260366
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: BOSTON                             LENGTH: Short :   40 lines

SALVI'S PARENTS TESTIFY TO HIS MENTAL STATE

The parents of a man accused of killing two abortion clinic workers appeared before a grand jury Wednesday to answer questions about their son's mental state in the days before the crime, a source told The Associated Press.

The source also said John C. Salvi III's lawyer is considering using an insanity defense at trial.

J.W. Carney Jr., a court-appointed lawyer known for his skill in using the insanity defense, wouldn't comment on whether he plans such a strategy.

But the source said Carney may argue that Salvi's actions were driven by a deeply held, Catholic anti-abortion belief but mental problems prevented him from realizing that murder was the wrong way to achieve his goals.

Salvi, a 22-year-old hairdresser from Hampton, N.H., is being held without bail on charges of killing two receptionists Dec. 30 in attacks on two abortion clinics in a Boston suburb. Five other people were wounded. Salvi was arrested the next day in Norfolk and was initially charged in an attack at the Hillcrest Clinic. The charge of shooting into an occupied building was set aside by prosecutors, however, so Salvi could be returned to Massachusetts to stand trial on more serious murder and assault charges there. The Norfolk charges can be refiled later.

Massachusetts does not have a death penalty but federal authorities have said they are considering prosecuting Salvi under a combination of federal statutes that would allow for a death sentence. ILLUSTRATION: John C. Salvi III's lawyer is considering an insanity defense.

KEYWORDS: ABORTION CLINIC SHOOTING GRAND JURY by CNB