Four Plead Not Guilty in Florida Abortion Clinic Bombings
Two couples facing federal charges in the bombings of three clinics where abortions were performed pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges in the case.
Matthew J. Goldsby and James T. Simmons, both 21 and from nearby Cantonment, entered their pleas to nine counts in connection with three Christmas Day bombings and one last June.
Goldsby’s fiancee, Kaye Wiggins, 18, of Pensacola, and Simmons’ wife, Kathren, also 18, pleaded not guilty to seven counts related to the Christmas bombings.
U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson set trial for March 11, with a March 6 deadline for plea bargaining.
Vinson said he would consider setting bail for the two men once he receives a written request from defense attorney Paul Shimek.
The two women are free on their own recognizance, but U.S. Magistrate Robert Crongeyer has twice refused to set bail for the men because they told federal agents that they carried out the bombing on orders from God.
Assistant U.S. Atty. Susan Novotny said the two men face maximum penalties of 85 years in prison and fines up to $90,000. She said the maximums for the women are 65 years and $70,000.
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