|
|
| Florida Executes Killer of an Abortion Provider |
| By New York Times |
| Published: 09/08/2003 |
|
Nine years after he calmly shot and killed an abortion doctor and his volunteer escort outside a Pensacola, Fla. clinic, Paul Jennings Hill died by lethal injection yesterday as his supporters declared him a martyr and warned that his actions might be replicated. Hill, a former Presbyterian minister, is the first killer of an abortion provider to be executed in the United States. He had not tried to prevent his death, which took place at Florida State Prison. But abortion rights advocates fear what Hill's followers have hinted for months: that his death will cause a new wave of violence against abortion clinics, many of which have operated in relative peace over the last few years. Addressing reporters in a final interview here on Tuesday, Hill made the same prediction. 'I believe in the short and long term, more and more people will act on the principles for which I stand,' he said. Last month, State Attorney General Charlie Crist and two top prison officials received death threats in letters that contained bullets. Dozens of police officers surrounded the prison here today, and prison officials said it was the tightest security at a Florida execution since Ted Bundy was put to death here in 1989. Protesters gathered in a field across from the prison in three areas: one for Hill supporters, one for Hill opponents and the third for those against the death penalty. Most of the roughly 50 supporters Hill were white men, some kneeling and praying, others singing 'How Great Thou Art.' Abortion rights advocates had said they planned to attend the execution and press their cause, but there was not a single person representing that movement. Three protesters said they were there to condemn Hill's violent act. About 20 others came to oppose the death penalty. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think