Anti-abortion extremist sentenced for doctor death

Anti-abortion extremist James Kopp has been sentenced to 25 years to life for shooting dead a doctor, declaring: ”I wish I could do 10 life sentences or 10 death penalties” to save the unborn.

Kopp, 48, received the maximum for the 1998 murder of Dr Barnett Slepian, 52, an obstetrician-gynaecologist and father of four who was cut down by a bullet that came through his kitchen window.

Kopp lay in wait with a rifle behind Slepian’s suburban Amherst home in New York state and fired a single shot after the doctor returned from a memorial service for his father.

Kopp fled the country and was captured in France two years ago.