Judge Sends Nuns to Prison Over Attack on Missile Silo
DENVER -- Calling them "dangerously irresponsible," a federal judge sentenced three nuns to at least 21/2 years in prison yesterday for vandalizing a nuclear missile silo during an antiwar protest last fall.
Despite his strong words, U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn gave the women less than the six-year minimum called for under sentencing guidelines.
Jackie Hudson was sentenced to 21/2 years, Carol Gilbert to two years, nine months, and Ardeth Platte to three years, five months. "We're satisfied," prosecutor Robert Brown said.
Hudson, 68, Gilbert, 55, and Platte, 66, were convicted in April of obstructing the national defense and damaging government property. The Roman Catholic nuns cut a fence and walked onto a Minuteman III silo site in October, pounding the silo with hammers and painting a cross on it with their blood. Officials said they caused at least $1,000 in damage.
The nuns had until Aug. 25 to report to prison but chose to go immediately.
Some peace activists have said the felony convictions were harsh and were intended to have a chilling effect on other protesters, but the prosecutor said the nuns were repeat offenders who deserved to go to prison. He said Platte has been arrested at least 10 times in antiwar protests, Hudson five times and Gilbert at least 13 times.
• JACKSON, Miss. -- A state Supreme Court justice and a prominent attorney were indicted in a federal investigation into whether trial lawyers bribed judges in exchange for favorable treatment. The 16-count bribery and fraud indictment includes an accusation that attorney Paul Minor guaranteed a $75,000 loan to Justice Oliver Diaz Jr. and Diaz's former wife, Jennifer, in exchange for favorable treatment in court. Diaz has taken a leave of absence. Also indicted were former Harrison County judges Wes Teel and John Whitfield.
• DELAND, Fla. -- A fire tore through a marina filled with houseboats and fishing vessels, sending nearly 30 boats to the bottom near the St. John's River and destroying nearby cars and buildings. One man was seriously injured.
• HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A bill to legalize slot machines in Pennsylvania has been killed by state Senate leaders. It was approved last week by the state House.
• PHOENIX -- A Pennsylvania couple who struggled for 17 years to have children now suddenly have five. Rebecca Wilson, 37, of Cresco, Pa., gave birth Thursday to quintuplets -- four boys and a girl. The births resulted from four fertilized eggs implanted in Wilson's uterus; one egg split to form identical twins. "I haven't really sat down and cried yet," father Rob Wilson, 36, said, "but I'm sure I will."
• CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- A Marine facing a court-martial in a parachute sabotage that injured three Marines reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, a Marine Corps spokeswoman said. No details on the deal were provided, but a court-martial scheduled Tuesday for Lance Cpl. Antoine D. Boykins of Baltimore has been canceled.
