AJC.com > Breaking News > Archives > 2005 > April > 13 > Entry
Rudolph pleads guilty to clinic bombing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Birmingham — Wearing an orange prison jump suit, his uncuffed hands behind his back and his lawyers by his side, Eric Rudolph looked straight at federal Judge Lynwood Smith and pleaded guilty this morning to the bombing at a Birmingham women’s clinic that killed an off-duty police officer and critically injured a nurse.
Asked by the judge whether he believed the government had enough evidence to prove his guilt, Rudolph replied, “Just barely, your honor.”
After prosecutors read a summary of the evidence in U.S. District Court, Smith told Rudolph that he understood he might dispute some of the prosecution’s claims.
“But let me just cut to the chase: Did you plant the bomb that exploded at the New Woman All Women clinic?”
“I did, your honor,” Rudolph said.
The bomb was placed in a flower pot and authorities believe it was detonated by remote control.
Smith asked Rudolph whether he detonated the bomb.
“I certainly did, your honor.”
“Are you in fact guilty?” Smith asked.
“I am,” replied Rudolph, 38.
Asked whether he understood that he was pleading guilty to the 1998 bombing in exchange for a life sentence in federal prison, Rudolph nodded and replied: “Correct.”
He could have faced the death penalty if the case had gone to trial and he was convicted.
As the judge reviewed the charges in the federal indictment, Rudolph stood at a podium, occasionally shuffling through papers.
At no point did Rudolph appear to look behind him at the front row of spectators, which included wounded nurse Emily Lyons and the widow of the police officer.
“Are you satisfied with your attorneys?” Smith asked.
“Yes. I am your honor. They’re very, very good. Superlative attorneys,” said Rudolph, who eluded authorities for 5 1/2 years after the Birmingham blast by hiding in the mountains of western North Carolina.
The 50-minute proceeding ended with Smith pronouncing, “The defendant is now adjudged guilty.”
He set sentencing for July 18. Rudolph is expected to receive four consecutive life terms.
Outside the courthouse, Lyons said she was “nauseated” that Rudolph’s plea allows him to dodge the death penalty.
“We’ve always felt the death penalty is what he deserved. The punishment should fit the crime,” Lyons said. “It’s just a sickening feeling.”
Rudolph’s motorcade left for Atlanta at 10:57 a.m., Eastern Time. He will appear in U.S. District Court and is expected to plead guilty to the 1996 bombing at Centennial Olympic Park that killed one woman and to two other Atlanta bombings — at a gay nightclub in Midtown and at another women’s clinic in Sandy Springs.
Authorities plan to hold Rudolph at the county jail in Birmingham while he awaits sentencing.
Sometime after the pleas in Birmingham and Atlanta, defense attorney Bill Bowen said, Rudolph intends to release a written statement explaining the bombings, which also wounded more than 120.
Under the plea deal, Fulton County prosecutors agreed not to pursue future state charges in Georgia against Rudolph at the request of federal authorities, said Erik Friedly, a spokesman for District Attorney Paul Howard. In Alabama, Jefferson County District Attorney David Barber said he wouldn’t comment on the possibility of any state charges there until after sentencing.
—The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Permalink | Categories: Eric Rudolph
Comments