Planned Parenthood Slaying Suspect Says He Is Guilty


10 December, 2015

The man accused of killing three people and injuring nine in a shooting in Colorado last month said in court on Wednesday that he is guilty.

Police say 57-year-old Robert Dear attacked a Planned Parenthood health care clinic. Planned Parenthood offers family planning, including abortions.

In court, Dear called himself a "warrior for babies."

He was charged Wednesday with murder. If he is convicted of the charge, he could be sentenced to death.

Robert Lewis Dear glares at his attorney Daniel King during an outburst in court appearance on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Dear, accused of killing three people and wounding nine others at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic on Nov. 27, was charged with first-degree murder. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post via AP, Pool)
Robert Lewis Dear glares at his attorney Daniel King during an outburst in court appearance on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Dear, accused of killing three people and wounding nine others at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic on Nov. 27, was charged with first-degree murder. (Andy Cross/The Denver Post via AP, Pool)

In court, his lawyer told the judge that Dear is not mentally healthy enough to be tried.

Neighbors described Dear as unfriendly. They said he lived alone in an old camping vehicle that did not have electricity or water.

I'm Christopher Jones-Cruise.

Kenneth Schwartz wrote this report for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

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Words in This Story

abortion – n. a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy

convict – v. to prove that someone is guilty of a crime in a court of law