4 Enter Plea in Abortion Clinic Attacks
Four people indicted for the Christmas morning bombings of three abortion clinics pleaded innocent Friday at their arraignment before U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson.
Vinson set a March 11 trial date for Matthew J. Goldsby, James T. Simmons, Simmons’ wife Kathryn and Goldsby’s fiancee, Kaye M. Wiggis.
The two men were indicted on one count of conspiracy, four for making bombs and four for using them. The women were indicted on seven counts each for the three Christmas morning blasts.
All four defendants told Vinson they understood the potential problems of sharing the the same attorneys and for the second time signed documents waiving their right to have separate lawyers.
The suspects and their attorney, Paul Shimek, had asked to appear before the federal grand jury to discuss “significant issues,” but the panel returned the eight-page indictment Wednesday night without hearing the defendants.
Federal agents testified at previous hearings the men said they bombed the clinics after getting a “call from God.”
Goldsby and Simmons, both 21, have been held without bond. Kathyrn Simmons and Wiggins, both 18, were released into the custody of their mothers.
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