By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Anti-abortion extremist James Kopp was convicted early Thursday afternoon of violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act by shooting and killing Dr. Barnett Slepian in 1998.
A federal jury in Buffalo deliberated about four hours over two days before returning the guilty verdict against Kopp, 52, ending his three-week trial.
Kopp is already serving a 25-year-to-life sentence on a state murder conviction for the sniper slaying of Slepian, who was shot inside his Amherst home in front of his wife and four sons.
The federal jury found Kopp guilty of targeting and killing Slepian because he provided reproductive health services. Kopp was also convicted on a federal firearms charge.
Two women jurors wept as they were polled on the verdict.
Kopp could face life in prison without parole when he's sentenced for the federal conviction.