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BUFFALO, March 12, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – James Kopp, an anti-abortion activist who admitted to shooting abortionist Barnett Slepian, has opted to waive his right to a jury trial.  Against the advice of two of his three legal counsels and the judge in the case, Kopp has chosen to use a rare procedure for the trial. Judge Michael D’Amico will be asked to decide the case based solely on a summary of the evidence prepared by the prosecution and approved by Kopp’s pro-life lawyer Bruce Barket.  The trial will thus be completed Monday, with no witnesses.  Speculations on the reasons for the move vary but the lawyer for the pro-abortion movement was incensed.  Pro-life observers suggest that the move ensures the trial does not drag out giving the media an opportunity to falsely paint the pro-life movement as violent.

Kopp’s lawyer said of the decision: “Jim certainly believes this is the best way to proceed.  He’s doing it because this is the best thing for him, and for a cause that has been very dear to his heart his whole life.”

See the Buffalo News coverage:  https://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20030312/1037037.asp