San Francisco jock fired for 'hit' request

SAN FRANCISCO, April 11 (UPI) -- San Francisco talk radio host John London has been fired for offering a reward for the death of comedian and radio host Penn Jillette.

London told the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury Tuesday that his comment was "obviously sarcastic" and in response to Jillette's earlier on-air attack on Mother Theresa.

A spokesman for the CBS-owned KIFR-FM refused to comment on the weekend firing, saying it was a "personnel issue," the newspaper said.

London Thursday began his show by offering "$5,000 to the person that kills Penn Jillette" or $7,000 "if he suffers."

London told the Mercury News his solicitation was meant to be satirical, unlike Jillette's comment that Mother Teresa created refuges for the sick and dying for her own "sexual kicks."

"I was sickened by it," London said. "What he said wasn't satire. He raped her morally, when she couldn't respond."