Operation Rescue Leader Free on Bail in Clinton Case

Randall Terry, whose anti-abortion group Operation Rescue tried to present an aborted fetus to Democrat Bill Clinton, was released on $25,000 bail Thursday after turning himself in to authorities.

Bail was secured by $250 in cash that his attorneys raised by taking up a collection in the courtroom.

On Tuesday, anti-abortion activist Harley Belew, another Operation Rescue activist posing as an autograph seeker, had handed Clinton a fetus in a clear plastic container as the Democratic presidential hopeful was getting into a limousine outside his hotel.

Belew was in court with Terry and two others involved in the confrontation. All but Terry were released on their own recognizance.

Jay Sekulow, Terry’s attorney, told Federal District Judge Robert Ward that Clinton had been served with a subpoena demanding that he testify at Terry’s trial as a material witness.

He said Clinton’s lawyer had been given the subpoena a few minutes after Clinton sewed up the Democratic nomination Wednesday at the party’s national convention here.

“Gov. Clinton will be a witness and free speech will be put on trial in America,” said Sekulow.

Terry claimed a victory at the convention despite the group’s failure to close down clinics during the Democrats’ convention, as it had pledged to do.

“Our goals for this convention are accomplished,” Terry said.

Judge Ward said he would seek criminal contempt charges against Terry for disobeying his latest restraining order. If convicted, Terry could get six months in jail.

Terry was charged after violating a federal restraining order issued Monday specifically barring him from confronting Clinton or running mate Tennessee Sen. Al Gore with a fetus.

Belew and the two other Operation Rescue members were also arrested on state charges Tuesday for transporting a fetus into New York, removal of human remains from the place of death and improper disposal of a fetus.