TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida authorities were investigating threatening letters and bullets sent to officials over the planned execution of a man who killed two people at an abortion clinic.
Law enforcement officials didn't disclose the contents of the letters received Monday by Attorney General Charlie Crist (search), two corrections officials and the Pensacola judge who sentenced Paul Hill. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed Wednesday the letters contained bullets.
At least one of the letters also threatened Gov. Jeb Bush (search), a source familiar with the letter told The Associated Press. Bush, who signed a death warrant for Hill, has not received a death-threat letter.
A spokeswoman for Bush said Wednesday the governor has no plans to stop the execution. Crist also said he would not be deterred by the threat.
"We'll continue to do the people's work," Crist said.
A source familiar with the contents of one of the letters said the page-and-a-half message was coherent and primarily about the evil of "killing babies." It also contained specific threats against the recipient. While not sent to Bush, the letter also threatened the governor, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
An anti-death penalty group and the stepdaughter of one of Hill's victims have raised concerns about the pending execution, saying it could make Hill a martyr and spur more abortion clinic violence.
Hill, 49, is scheduled to die Sept. 3 for the fatal shootings of Dr. John B. Britton and clinic escort James Barrett in July 1994 outside of The Ladies Center in Pensacola (search).
When he signed Hill's death warrant in July, Bush dismissed concerns that Hill's execution might lead to violence.
"He's a murderer and he was sentenced to death and I have the duty to carry out that sentence," Bush said then.
Hill said after he was sentenced in 1994 that he welcomed execution because he believed it would incite more violence against abortion providers.
Mainstream anti-abortion groups have condemned clinic violence and rejected suggestions that Hill's execution will lead to copycat killings by abortion opponents.
"Abortion is a terrible evil, but it is never right to repay evil with evil and the actions of Paul Hill and others who would go after those that work in abortion clinics is just unjustifiably wrong," said Mike McCarron, executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference. |