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The man accused of a deadly shooting spree at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado has declared himself guilty and a “warrior for the babies” during an outburst in court.
Robert Lewis Dear’s outburst took spot at the commence of his hearing in El Paso County court as prosecutors formally presented murder and other charges against him.
The 57-year-old has been held without bond because surrendering to police at the end of a five-hour siege on November 27 that authorities said started when he opened fire in front of the clinic, then stormed inside.
Dear allegedly killed 3 folks, including a police officer, and wounded nine other individuals.
He was not scheduled to formally enter a plea in the course of the day’s proceedings.
“I’m guilty, there is no trial. I am a warrior for the babies,” Dear blurted out in a loud voice whilst seated beside his lawyers in front of the judge.
Dear’s comments bolstered assertions by Planned Parenthood executives that the attack on the Colorado Springs clinic was motivated by anti-abortion sentiments.
A search warrant accompanying police affidavits filed in the case has been placed beneath court seal, and authorities have but to publicly disclose a motive for the shooting.
Several media outlets, citing law enforcement sources, have reported that Dear uttered the phrase “no far more infant components” in statements to investigators following his arrest.
Dear, who comes from South Carolina and when earned a living as a self-employed art salesman, appeared at Wednesday’s hearing in shackles.
At 1 point, for the duration of a discussion between the judge and lawyers about the sealing of documents in the case, Dear spoke out once more.
“Seal the truth, huh? Kill the babies, that’s what Planned Parenthood does,” Dear stated.
Addressing the judge, defence lawyer Dan King raised the concern of Dear’s mental competency to stand trial, saying, “I think the dilemma is obvious”.
Photo: The rampage blamed on Robert Lewis Dear is believed to have been the initial deadly attack on a US abortion provider in six years (Reuters: Rick Wilking)Reuters
Subjects: courts-and-trials, law-crime-and-justice, abortion, terrorism, united-states