Abortion Fight Resumes Over Florida Clinic

The man accused of killing a doctor outside an abortion clinic was arraigned Thursday as the battle over abortion returned to city streets for the first time since the shooting.

Abortion-rights advocates picketed outside the courthouse where Michael F. Griffin, 31, was represented by a public defender he did not want. The lawyer entered an innocent plea on Griffin’s behalf.

Meanwhile, about a dozen anti-abortion protesters returned to the clinic where Dr. David Gunn, 47, was shot during a demonstration on March 10.

Although administrators at Pensacola Women’s Medical Services said little about their operations, the protesters claimed a victory because a woman in their group made a bogus appointment and was told it would be rescheduled.

“We feel confident that because we were out here today, this abortion clinic closed down,” said the Rev. Ed Martin of Ocala, executive director of Rescue America.

Patty Dombroski, assistant administrator, said the clinic had patients and was busy.

Outside the courthouse where Griffin appeared, about 20 people picketed in a demonstration by the National Organization for Women in memory of Gunn.

A small girl held a sign saying “Rescue America Murdered Dr. Gunn.” The anti-abortion group sponsored the rally that was going on when the physician was killed.

Griffin is charged with first-degree premeditated murder, and State Atty. Curtis Golden has said prosecutors would seek the death penalty if he is convicted. The trial was set to begin May 3.

At the hearing, Griffin said he did not want a lawyer. But Circuit Judge Kenneth Williams appointed one because of the seriousness of the charge.