Hill Gets 2 Life Terms for Clinic Slayings

Former minister Paul Hill on Friday received the maximum sentence of two life terms in prison for violating the new federal clinic-protection law in the shotgun slayings of an abortion doctor and his bodyguard.

Next week, a judge will decide whether Hill should get the electric chair on state murder charges in the slayings.

Hill, 40, of Pensacola, is the first person prosecuted under the federal law against using violence or otherwise interfering with those entering abortion clinics.

The life-without-parole sentences will run concurrently.

Hill, a former Presbyterian minister, killed Dr. John Bayard Britton, 69, and his volunteer bodyguard, retired Air Force Lt. Col. James Barrett, 74. Barrett’s wife, 69-year-old June Barrett, was wounded in the attack July 29.

Hill asked U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson to view a videotape of an ultrasound taken of a woman’s body during an abortion, which Hill said would illustrate his motivation for the murders.

Vinson responded that he was not sure that would be relevant to the sentence, but encouraged Hill to speak.

“The rationale, your honor, is simply I was trying to prevent Dr. Britton from killing the 30 people he was going to kill that day,” Hill said.

Vinson said he did not doubt Hill’s sincerity about believing he had a higher motive, but added: “God does not look with favor on the taking of any human life.”

Hill, who was wearing a faded green jail jumpsuit, blue slippers and ankle shackles, seemed calm throughout the proceedings, which lasted just under one hour.

Hill also received 10 years under the new law for shooting June Barrett and five years for a weapons violation. He was ordered to pay June Barrett $480 for medical expenses and counseling and $1,815 for her husband’s funeral expenses.

The state jury that convicted Hill a month ago recommended the death penalty, but Circuit Judge Frank Bell is not bound by the recommendation at sentencing on Tuesday.

Hill said he has no plans to appeal either sentence and hopes his death will inspire “faithful men to take up arms in defense of the unborn.”

“There’s no question that the more apparent an injustice is, the more likely people are going to be to rise up to stop that injustice,” Hill said in a telephone interview with Reuters from the Escambia County jail.

He said he believes that it might motivate others to follow him if he is sent to death in the electric chair. “There’s a real possibility it could be a partially motivating factor to do as I have done.”