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Kopp Waives Right to Jury Trial
Aired March 11, 2003 - 14:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: We have some new information coming to us about the anti-abortion extremist James Kopp. You may remember in 1998, he is charged with the shooting death of Dr. Barnett Slepian who performed abortions. We are going to go now to New York and our Jamie Colby, who has the very latest on that -- Jamie, hello.
JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Heidi, how are you? In Buffalo today, a three-hour closed door meeting with defendant James Kopp, his attorney Bruce Barket, and Erie County prosecutors before the judge, Michael D'Amico.
Initially, opening arguments were scheduled in the case on Monday, but we have now learned that James Kopp has waived his right to a jury trial and in addition, he, the defense, and the prosecution have stipulated to a document containing facts in the case that they have agreed upon that will be presented to the judge in determining Kopp's guilt or innocence in the murder trial of -- James Kopp for the slaying -- murder of Barnett Slepian, the physician in Buffalo, who in addition to being a gynecologist and obstetrician sometimes performed abortions.
James Kopp was a very active anti-abortion activist. He is also a suspect in physician shootings -- non-fatal shootings, that is, in Canada. He has agreed to this arrangement after being questioned by the judge whether or not he understood. He will not, therefore, be testifying in court. What is interesting, Heidi, is that within that stipulated agreement, a document of 30 pages. It includes an interview that he gave -- a jail house interview to the "Buffalo News," a newspaper in the area, in which he said he did not regret shooting Dr. Slepian, he regretted the fact that Dr. Slepian had died. This is all but a guilty plea, essentially, although he has pled not guilty and has not changed his plea.
One of the defense attorneys in the case in court said that he disagreed with the arrangement, and is considering withdrawing from the case.
Once again, in Buffalo in a closed-door meeting today, anti- abortion activist James Kopp has waived his right to a jury trial, and has also stipulated, along the prosecutor, to 30 pages of facts in the case which will be presented to the judge, who will now decide his guilt or innocence.
The prosecutor in the case, Frank Clark, saying my facts now go uncontested. None of the uncertainties of having witnesses, some 60 which were expected, will be recollections that will be challenged. None of the downside of having witnesses having to be cross-examined -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Jamie Colby, thanks for the update, live from New York this hour.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired March 11, 2003 - 14:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: We have some new information coming to us about the anti-abortion extremist James Kopp. You may remember in 1998, he is charged with the shooting death of Dr. Barnett Slepian who performed abortions. We are going to go now to New York and our Jamie Colby, who has the very latest on that -- Jamie, hello.
JAMIE COLBY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Heidi, how are you? In Buffalo today, a three-hour closed door meeting with defendant James Kopp, his attorney Bruce Barket, and Erie County prosecutors before the judge, Michael D'Amico.
Initially, opening arguments were scheduled in the case on Monday, but we have now learned that James Kopp has waived his right to a jury trial and in addition, he, the defense, and the prosecution have stipulated to a document containing facts in the case that they have agreed upon that will be presented to the judge in determining Kopp's guilt or innocence in the murder trial of -- James Kopp for the slaying -- murder of Barnett Slepian, the physician in Buffalo, who in addition to being a gynecologist and obstetrician sometimes performed abortions.
James Kopp was a very active anti-abortion activist. He is also a suspect in physician shootings -- non-fatal shootings, that is, in Canada. He has agreed to this arrangement after being questioned by the judge whether or not he understood. He will not, therefore, be testifying in court. What is interesting, Heidi, is that within that stipulated agreement, a document of 30 pages. It includes an interview that he gave -- a jail house interview to the "Buffalo News," a newspaper in the area, in which he said he did not regret shooting Dr. Slepian, he regretted the fact that Dr. Slepian had died. This is all but a guilty plea, essentially, although he has pled not guilty and has not changed his plea.
One of the defense attorneys in the case in court said that he disagreed with the arrangement, and is considering withdrawing from the case.
Once again, in Buffalo in a closed-door meeting today, anti- abortion activist James Kopp has waived his right to a jury trial, and has also stipulated, along the prosecutor, to 30 pages of facts in the case which will be presented to the judge, who will now decide his guilt or innocence.
The prosecutor in the case, Frank Clark, saying my facts now go uncontested. None of the uncertainties of having witnesses, some 60 which were expected, will be recollections that will be challenged. None of the downside of having witnesses having to be cross-examined -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Jamie Colby, thanks for the update, live from New York this hour.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
