Backer Pays Fine for Jailed Abortion Foe

Anti-abortion activist Randy Terry, who spent more than three months in jail rather than pay what he said was an unjust fine for trespassing, was released Tuesday from a work camp after the money was paid.

Terry, founder of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, was released from Fulton County’s Alpharetta Institution after a representative paid his fine of $500 plus a $50 assessment, jail and court officials said.

Jane Shepherd, a spokeswoman for Operation Rescue, said the money for the fine was donated by an anonymous supporter, rather than paid by the organization.

Terry, of Binghamton, N.Y., had for months refused to pay a fine, saying he could not do so in good conscience.

Terry received two one-year prison terms for criminal trespass and unlawful assembly. The terms were consolidated into a single one-year term in December, and officials at the time said that with time off for good behavior he could be eligible for release April 5.

Terry was sentenced Oct. 5 following his conviction on charges stemming from anti-abortion protests during the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta in July, 1988.