THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 19, 1996 TAG: 9603190372
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
The Virginian-Pilot
Dec. 30, 1994:
At 10 a.m., a gunman storms into the Planned Parenthood clinic at
1031 Beacon St. in Brookline, Mass., kills receptionist Shannon
Lowney, 25, wounds three others. Ten minutes later, the gunman opens
fire at Preterm Health Services clinic about a mile away.
Receptionist Lee Ann Nichols dies, two others are wounded. A
five-state manhunt begins for John Salvi, a student hairdresser from
Hampton Beach, N.H.
Dec. 31, 1994:
Salvi is arrested in Norfolk after allegedly firing 23 bullets
from a .22-caliber semiautomatic rifle through the glass doors of
the Hillcrest Clinic on East Little Creek Road. No one is injured.
Salvi is jailed without bond under heavy security.
Jan. 3, 1995:
Salvi is arraigned in Norfolk General District Court on a felony
charge of shooting into an occupied building. He asks for more time
to consider whether to voluntarily return to Massachusetts to face
murder charges.
Jan. 5:
From his Norfolk jail cell, Salvi releases a six-page letter that
accuses someone of tainting his ham sandwiches and grits and
supports a new currency for the Roman Catholic church, whose
members, he says, face wholesale persecution. He asks for the death
penalty if convicted, to become a priest if acquitted. He also asks
for an interview with Barbara Walters.
U.S. Marshals fly Salvi to Boston to face arraignment there as
Norfolk authorities set aside the local charge here.
Jan. 6:
Salvi pleads not guilty to federal firearms charges in Boston.
Jan. 9:
Salvi pleads not guilty to murder and attempted murder. He is
held without bail.
Feb. 15:
A Norfolk County (Mass.) grand jury indicts Salvi on murder and
armed assault charges after 12 days of testimony from 156 witnesses.
April 10:
Salvi's lawyers claim he is not competent to stand trial. A week
earlier, he had been sent to a state hospital for psychiatric
evaluations.
July 27:
Prosecutors cite passages from the book "The New World Order" by
religious broadcaster Pat Robertson to show that Salvi's beliefs
concerning a conspiracy against Roman Catholics are widespread and
not delusional.
Aug. 23:
Superior Court Judge Barbara Dortch-Okara finds Salvi comptetent
to stand trial. His lawyers plan to use an insanity defense.
Feb. 5, 1996:
Jury selection begins in the trial. Salvi faces two counts of
murder and five counts of assault with intent to murder. If found
not guilty by reason of insanity, Salvi will be sent to a state
mental hospital from which he will be released once the courts find
he is no longer a danger to society. Conviction will mean life in
prison without parole.
Feb. 7:
Salvi is restrained and carried from the courtroom in a fit of
anger after being told by the judge that he could no longer display
any writings before a newspaper photographer. "You will sit and you
will be quiet ... Do you understnad me, sir?'' Judge Barbara
Dortch-Okara says.
Feb. 23:
FBI Special Agent Michael Malone testifies that 100 cartridges, a
Boston-area map book highlighting women's health clinics, and images
of aborted fetuses were found insided Salvi's 1989 Toyota pickup
truck after he was arrested. Agents also found an envelope with
addresses that included the Hillcrest Clinic in Norfolk.
Feb. 28:
Salvi's father testifies his son for years demonstrated
destructive and bizarre behavior but that the father thought it was
just a phase the younger Salvi was going through.
March 14: The jury hear closing arguments in the case and gets
deliberation instructions from the judge.
March 18: Salvi is found guilty on all counts.
THE VICTIMS
Shannon Lowney
Lee Ann Nichols
Hillcrest Clinic, Norfolk
Salvi, during the trial
Salvi is removed from court during jury selection Feb. 7, after a
fit of anger.
KEYWORDS: JOHN SALVI ABORTION CLINIC SHOOTINGS MURDER TRIAL VERDICT by CNB