Justice Department Steps Up Investigations into Violence at Abortion Clinics

Strategic Insights -

The Justice Department has intensified its investigations into violence at abortion clinics, responding to the July 29 shooting deaths of a doctor and his elderly volunteer escort outside a clinic in Pensacola, Florida. Associate Attorney General John Schmidt noted that the investigation has become more intensely coordinated, with more commitment of time, and has committed more manpower to the probe. Federal marshals have been deployed to guard about a dozen abortion clinics across the country, including facilities in Pensacola, Wichita, Kansas, and the Washington, D.C. area. The investigation is focusing on a possible conspiracy, with charges brought against Paul Hill, a 40-year-old anti-abortion protester and former Presbyterian minister.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Justice Department has escalated its investigations into violence at abortion clinics in response to the July 29 shooting deaths of a doctor and his escort in Pensacola, Florida.
  • The investigation has become more intensely coordinated, with more commitment of time, and has committed more manpower to the probe.
  • Federal marshals have been deployed to guard about a dozen abortion clinics across the country, including facilities in Pensacola, Wichita, Kansas, and the Washington, D.C. area.
  • Paul Hill, a 40-year-old anti-abortion protester and former Presbyterian minister, has been charged in connection with the deaths.
  • The investigation is focusing on a possible conspiracy.
  • The Justice Department has previously investigated Hill for his behavior during protests at clinics, but no action was taken due to a lack of evidence.
  • The FBI had investigated Hill earlier this summer, but no prosecution was pursued.

Statistics:

  • About a dozen abortion clinics have been guarded by federal marshals since last week.
  • The investigation has become more intensely coordinated, with more commitment of time.
  • The probe has committed more manpower to the investigation.
  • The Justice Department has a statute, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, signed into law by President Clinton in May, that can be applied in this case.
  • A conviction under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) carries stiff criminal and civil penalties.

Sources:

  • Michael Kirkland, "Justice Department Steps Up Violence Probe at Abortion Clinics,"
  • "Justice Department Probes Clinic Violence,"
  • "Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act,"

Note: No exact dates are mentioned in the text, so I have avoided adding dates in the sources.