N.C. pastor targets abortion doctor

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- A North Carolina pastor sentenced to 24 months probation for stalking an abortion doctor said he plans to appeal the verdict.

Reverend "Flip" Benham, of Charlotte, who, Western-style, put up "Wanted" posters with the doctor's name and home address, said Monday's verdict and sentence violated his constitutional right to speak his mind, WSOC-TV, Charlotte, reported.

The doctor "kills babies. He does it for a living. He has no respect for life of children in the safety and neighborhoods of their mothers' wombs," Benham said.

"It's none of his business. (Benham) needs to leave women alone and let us make up our minds," said Cindy Thompson, spokeswoman for the Charlotte chapter of the National Organization for Women.

Some people were afraid that anti-abortion activists might kill the doctor -- something that has occurred elsewhere. Prosecutors several times in court said it was like placing a target on the doctor's back.

The doctor said he believed the poster was a "call for my murder" and that he was always worried about it and looking over his shoulder. He said he gets down on his hands and knees to make certain there are no bombs under his car.

"Nobody has gone and killed because (he or she) saw a poster. That is most absurd and illogical fallacy that there possibly could be," Benham said.