Rudolph to Plead to ATL Bombing
 

Eric Rudolph to Plead to Atlanta Bombing

29 minutes ago U.S. National - AP


By JAY REEVES, Associated Press Writer

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Eric Rudolph has agreed to plead guilty in the deadly 1996 bombing at the Atlanta Olympics and three other blasts, The Associated Press learned Friday. A person who was briefed by the Justice Department on the agreement said Rudolph would receive four life sentences under the deal. Rudolph had faced a possible death sentence. The source spoke on condition of anonymity.

A Justice Department official in Washington, also speaking on the condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been formally announced, confirmed the plea agreement. An announcement was expected later Friday.

Neither U.S. Attorney Alice Martin or defense lawyer Bill Bowen immediately returned calls seeking comment.

In addition to the Olympic bombing, Rudolph also has been charged with setting off a blast in 1998 at an Alabama abortion clinic that killed an off-duty police officer and critically injured a nurse. Jury selection in that case began this week.

He is charged in two other 1997 bombings in Atlanta — one at a lesbian bar and one at a building that housed an abortion clinic.


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I guess the next step is sentencing, and at the sentencing hearing - before it is announced - the victims and their families get a chance to speak, for the first time in public court.

From the local coverage, it's apparent that there are some families not happy that he didn't get the death penalty, and that he apparently winked at them as he entered court.

Stand-by for fire works.