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Prime Suspect In Killing Of Abortionist Captured
With Reno Gone, Grand Island Residents Hope For Relief From Indian Threat
Year 2000 & Prior
Residents Resent Reno Intrusion in Grand Island Indian Dispute
The FBI in Buffalo Thursday, 3/29, announced that 46-year old James C. Kopp, wanted for over two years in connection with the killing of Dr. Barnett Slepian, has been apprehended in northwest France. The FBI says money had been sent to Kopp overseas by supporters in this country and that two such radical anti-abortion activists have been arrested in Brooklyn. Kopp had been living in Northern Ireland before moving to France about March 12th where the government has long declared they will not allow extradition of those who face a death penalty.
For US authorities to return Kopp to Buffalo for trial, the United States would have to guarantee that Kopp would not be executed. Sources say Kopp's status will probably remain questionable for some time, but late Friday, 3/30 French prosecutors were insisting that Kopp would not be given up to US authorities.
Kopp is now in the hands of French police after being arrested by them in Dinan, a small tourist village of about 14,000 in Brittany. The Lockport Home Page was told Friday morning, 3/30 that Kopp had been moved to a prison in Rennes, France. A Buffalo federal grand jury in October 2000 indicted Kopp in the 1998 sniper killing of the abortion doctor. The two-count indictment charges Kopp, one of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted fugitives, with using deadly force to prevent Dr. Barnett Slepian from providing "reproductive health service" and using a firearm to commit a crime of violence. Slepian, 52, believed responsible for hundreds of abortions, was killed in his Amherst home by a single shot from a high-powered rifle fired from woods behind the house Oct. 23, 1998. Total offers of rewards for Kopp's arrest substantially exceed the $50,000 offered by the FBI. He had not been spotted since before the attack on Slepian. Evidence against Kopp is being described as strong, but mostly circumstantial.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. bishops lauded the arrest Kopp and said the church "unequivocally" condemns the use of violence in opposing abortion. "We are gratified by the prospect of the suspected killer of Dr. Barnett Slepian being brought to justice," said Cathleen Cleaver, director of planning and information for the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. "Every human life has inestimable value and no one has the right to kill," she said in a statement for public release. (3/30/01)
Integrity Of FBI Evidence Against James Kopp Now In Question - Update
When Amherst Dr. Barnett Slepian was shot through a window in his home in the summer of 1997 it was immediately assumed that the bullet was fired by someone connected to the anti-abortion movement. And, although the bullet apparently came from a wooded hunting area, it was also assumed that it was a case of murder-assassination. Slepian was a well-known Buffalo abortionist and had been on a public "hit list" of one radical anti-abortion movement. There was immediate pressure on the FBI by then-Attorney General Janet Reno for the federal agency to intervene in Amherst and quickly produce a suspect and bring him to trial. Within days the FBI announced it had a suspect and an international manhunt was on that concluded only early this year when James Kopp was captured in France. Efforts are continuing to bring him back to Buffalo to stand trial for murder.
Now, four years later, it appears FBI key evidence in the case is in serious question. Perhaps even the integrity of the entire FBI case against Kopp. After Slepian's killing, authorities searched the area for months but could not find a weapon, a detail usually required in a murder case prosecution. Then, five months after the shooting, a Russian-made carbine with telescopic sight, was found neatly buried in a protected plastic-lined tube, about 50 yards from where the fatal shot is believed to have been fired. It was amazingly fortunate for the FBI investigation that the weapon was fully protected from the elements with alleged evidence in tact to link it to Mr. Kopp. Authorities were at a loss to explain why the weapon couldn't be found for five previous months despite hundreds of police sweeping the area. The FBI later reported they had traced the weapon to a pawn shop in Nashville, TN where it had been purchased on July 16, 1997. The FBI claims that although purchase evidence shows it was bought by a man calling himself B. James Milton and showing a Virginia driver's license, that individual was really James Kopp. Additionally the FBI produced, long after the killing, a hair sample in a buried baseball cap they claim can be matched to Kopp. And, they claim "fiber samples" found at the scene (long after the killing and after Kopp was named as a suspect) match those in an auto that Kopp is said to have abandoned in New Jersey. That auto was harvested by the FBI for hair samples of Kopp. There has been speculation of a few of those samples from the New Jersey auto may have found their way into a buried baseball cap found in the Amherst woods.
On Sunday, July 22nd, the Buffalo News published a report that could blow the FBI case concerning the rifle apart. And, perhaps at the same time the integrity of the case against Kopp. The News is reporting that a husband and wife in the Pittsburgh, PA area have signed affidavits that Kopp was staying with them at the time he is accused of being in Nashville to buy a rifle. The testimony of Doris Grady and her husband, both active in the Pittsburgh pro-life movement, stated Kopp was with them for a six week period including July 22nd. Mrs. Grady reportedly details what Kopp was doing on the day in question---building a fence on their property with her son. Others in the Pittsburgh area are said to have seen Kopp during that time. The new revelation brings up a serious question of possible fabrication of evidence. If established, it could blow the entire case of Kopp apart. Kopp supporters are attempting to raise money to pay famed Buffalo criminal lawyer Paul Cambria to continue to represent him. At present he remains in 3rd world prison, in France, with little outside contact permitted. The US government is continuing to press for his extradition. (7/22/01)
US Justice Dept withdraws from Indian land suit against Grand Island residents. The United States Justice Department will no longer participate in the Seneca Indian land suit against property owners on Grand Island. An announcement to that effect was made Friday, 8/3, by New York Governor George Pataki. The Justice Department joined the Seneca land claim under orders of then-Attorney General Janet Reno. The action has tied up property transfers on Grand Island and caused land values to decline. The Indians themselves will continue the action, however, against the residents and the State of New York. About 20,000 private landowners on Grand Island and 21 other Niagara River islands are being sued by the Seneca's who claim their sale of the land almost 200 years ago was not properly executed. They seek to take all the property back. (8/4/01)
Janet Reno, US Attorney General in the Clinton Administration, became one of the most disliked women in the world, at least on Grand Island, after she started legal action to take the land of Grand Island individual property owners and turn it over to the Indians. On Monday, 1/22, the Justice Department, with Reno gone, said it was dropping individual property owners from the prolonged legal action it has been planning. The Department said its suit against New York State would continue. The Seneca land grab claim is similar to other Indian legal efforts to take back lands all over New York State they claim were purchased from them in an illegal way about 200 years ago. Should the suit continue and the Justice Department wins, New York State taxpayers could wind up paying a few hundred Indian (descendents of the original Seneca tribe) over a billion dollars. New Yorkers are hoping the new Bush administration ultimately puts a complete stop to the action. (1/23/01)
The family of 16-year old Joseph A. Donohue III say the boy's dramatic recovery
from bacterial meningitis is a miracle made possible by an outpouring of prayer to the
late Monsignor Nelson H. Baker, the founder of a campus of charity organizations at
Lackawanna, NY. Some Catholic Church authorities in Buffalo agree, including Bishop
Henry J. Mansell. They believe prayers to Father Baker, who is now under
consideration for sainthood, had the effect of turning around an almost certain death
situation at Children's Hospital in August.
When young Donohue was taken to the hospital with his body turning gray and black, his respiratory system shutting down, and bleeding from the eyes, doctors gave him little hope of survival. Upon hearing the terminal news, the Donohue family quickly went into conference with various members of the local Catholic clergy who advocated immediate and exclusive prayers to Father Baker.
Word spread and a hospital worker, whose grandmother had been Father Baker's housekeeper, brought in a set of rosary beads that had belonged to Baker and placed the beads on the boy's chest. Other items of Father Baker will also brought to the hospital scene and non-stop prayer continued by hundreds of local prayer partners on the boy's behalf. Sources say the results of the prayer were seen within 72 hours and steady improvement in the boy's condition began. The boy, who was in a coma, told family after his recovery that he "dreamed" of Father Baker while he was unconscious to the world. Catholic authorities feel that the prayers to Father Baker resulted in the boy's case being brought to God who caused the cure --- the exact mechanism of a miracle supporters of Father Baker's cause of sainthood have needed.
Today Joseph A. Donohue III is reported at home and well on the way to a complete recovery. He credits the intervention of Father Baker with God as his cure. The cause for sainthood for "The Apostle Of Charity" has moved further forward. Bishop of Buffalo, Henry J. Mansell, says he's bringing the experience to the attention of church authorities at The Vatican. (11/5/00) See sketch on Father Baker below:
Monsignor Nelson Henry Baker, familiarly known as "Father Baker," was born on February 16, 1841 in Buffalo, New York, USA. His father was Lutheran, his mother Catholic. After his early education in public schools, he went into business. In 1868, he resumed his education at Canisius College, Buffalo, as one of its first students. He entered Our Lady of Angels Seminary at Niagara University, New York, in 1870, and was ordained a diocesan priest on March 19, 1876.For five years he served as Assistant Pastor at Lackawanna, then as curate in Corning, New York (then part of the Buffalo Diocese). In 1882, he was recalled to Lackawanna as Superintendent of the Institution destined to become Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity, with an orphanage, industrial school, home for infants, facilities for unwed mothers, and maternity hospital. Father Baker was named Vicar General of the Buffalo Diocese in 1902, a Domestic Prelate in 1905, and later raised to the rank of Prothonotary Apostolic. He promoted devotion to the Eucharist and Our Lady of Victory. He built the Basilica of Our Lady of Victory, which was consecrated in 1926. Father Baker administered the Basilica Parish with the adjacent Homes of Charity, for the rehabilitation of countless underprivileged men, women and children, until late in life. Father Baker died on July 29, 1936 in Lackawanna, New York.
In the Summer of 1987, the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints approved the initiation of Father Baker's cause and confirmed the title "Servant of God - Nelson Baker."
The West Nile Virus, responsible for deaths in the New York City area, has been found in Western New York. The virus is spread by mosquitoes. Several died last year in the New York City area and one is reported death so far in 2000 with the cause of death detailed as the West Nile Virus.
The virus can cause encephalitis, a swelling of the brain. The young, elderly, and those with weak immune systems are said to be most susceptible to death from the virus. Authorities say less than 1% of those infected with become dangerously sick or die.
On Thursday, 8/3, dead birds found in Tonawanda were found be carrying the virus. State officials in Albany concede the virus has now probably spread state-wide from its initial launching center in metropolitan New York.
Health officials are asking Western New Yorkers to practice all procedures associated with the control of mosquitoes, the carrier of the virus to humans. Sales of mosquito and insect repellant were reported brisk the week of 8/5 at Lockport retails outlets. (8/5/00)
The Buffalo News is attributing poor economic vitality in the counties of Erie and Niagara to a high percentage of union membership and the consequential high cost of doing business. In a block-buster front page report in its Monday, 5/29 editions, the newspaper details how the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area is tops in the nation for union membership and then ties this in to low economic development here---despite a boom economy in the rest of the nation.
The News had previously reported that union violence in the Niagara County construction industry has put Niagara County at a disadvantage over even Erie in regard to new construction. Contractors can use non-union labor in Erie County, the News reported, but in Niagara County such an effort would likely result in job site action and often violence.
In the latest report written under the byline of the News' major business reporter, Fred O. Williams, the news prints data that shows unions control 70.8% of jobs in the public or government sector here compared with a national average of only 54.3%. That translates into higher cost of government, one cause for higher taxes. The reports says the region's total union work force is 27.30% of all available workers compared with only 13.9% as a national average. The newspaper details how companies prefer to locate in "right-to-work" states and many move out of this area to such states in order to lower costs of operations. (5/29/00)
It will be Rochester and areas east of Niagara County that will eventually have to switch to a new area code---not Lockport, Buffalo, and the Niagara Frontier. That welcome news was announced Wednesday, 5/17, by the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC). A new area code is needed because the 716-area, which stretches from Olcott to Olean, Buffalo to Rochester, has been running out of available telephone numbers.
The switch in areas codes for Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, and Monroe counties will come sometime in 2002--probably the Spring, according PSC officials. Portions of Yates, Steuben, Ontario, and Allegheny counties will also be included in the new area code---the number designation of which has not yet been determined.
The PSC decision means telephone subscribers on the Niagara Frontier will not have to worry about the economic impact of changing telephone numbers or deal with the inconvenience of re-printing stationary and other materials in which the telephone number plays an important part. Eventually, many more number combinations will become available in Niagara County as a result of the PSC decision. (5/18/00)
Update 11/4/00: Pignataro Admits Poisoning His Wife
The former doctor, Anthony Pignataro admitted in court Friday, 11/3, that he poisoned his wife with arsenic over a period of time. The 42-year old former plastic surgeon could receive 5 to 15 years in jail on top of time he is now serving in connection with other charges. He has been held responsible for the death of a Depew woman about three years ago in a case of plastic surgery go wrong. His wife survives, although still suffering major effects of the poisoning. Prosecutors admitted, after Pignataro's court appearance, that most of their evidence against the man was circumstantial and was the reason they allowed him to cop a plea to first-degree assault. (11/4/00)
42-year old Deborah Pignataro is expected to be in the hospital for at least a month attempting to recover from near-fatal arsenic poisoning. On Wednesday, 9/1, authorities were searching the home of Mrs. Pignataro in West Seneca trying to find the source of the arsenic. Her husband, Dr. Anthony S. Pignataro, according to press reports was having marital difficulties with his wife. The Buffalo News is reporting that tests have shown "normal" only trace arsenic levels in his body. Dr. Pignataro is the former plastic surgeon who lost his medical license and served prison time last year after pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide involving the death of a breast-enlargement patient.
Authorities are quoted as saying the poisoning of Mrs. Pignataro is "unlikely" an accident although they have named no "suspects" in the case and have yet to officially label it a criminal investigation. The Erie County District Attorney has called forensic chemists into the the investigation. The Erie County Child Protective authorities have turned the Pignataro children over to the custody of Mrs. Pignataro's brother saying they are not sure the family home is a "safe" environment.
Arsenic is an acute and chronic poison. Combined with other chemicals it is often used in rat poisons, insecticides, and herbicides. Mrs. Pignataro has been diagnosed as suffering from chronic arsenic poisoning meaning the poison was received over a period of time. Chronic poisoning can be either from ingestion or inhalation of the dust from arsenic compounds. The poisoning is manifested in a number of ways. Bad breath, skin abnormalities, loss of appetite, cramps, nausea, and blood irregularities. (9/1/99)
Year 1998 & Prior
The decision by United States Attorney General Janet Reno to go after, in federal court, all the residents and property owners of Grand Island, Cayuga Island, and 21 other islands in the Niagara River, has sent the cost of title insurance skyrocketing. While the title insurance is going up, real estate asking prices are plunging. The land claim filed in 1993, taken as a "joke" or some kind of extortion by the Seneca Indians, is suddenly very serious. Residents are outraged that the Clinton Administration is going to represent the Indians---and not them---in what promises to be a lengthy and costly legal battle. The US government will pay the Indians legal bills.
A spokesman for Reno's office in Washington said, "New York State violated federal law when it purchased the land (in 1815)...It is time to right this wrong." New York State Attorney General, Dennis Vacco, says the state will help defend residents again the Indian-Reno attack. The state's top lawyer says New York's ownership of the islands dates to shortly after the Revolutionary War. Then, he reports, the new United States government received ownership of the islands, which the Indians had given to the British before the war. He said the 1815 contract, in which the state agreed to pay the Seneca Indian Nation $1,000 for the islands and $500 a year forever, was merely a means of placating the Indians at the time. Reno claims that agreement was invalid because New York did not submit it for congressional approval.
Vacco indicated to the media on Friday, 3/20, that the Seneca land claim may be part of a negotiating strategy connected with the Indian group's effort to obtain land in the Niagara Falls area to operate gambling casinos. The Seneca's are scheduled to vote among themselves on that idea by about the end of May.
In what is viewed as a veiled attempt at extortion from New York State taxpayers, a spokesman for the Seneca's was reported to have indicated that a "settlement" might be considered. The remark sent A.G. Vacco into orbit at week's end as he declared, "I'm not in a settling mood…we're prepared to do battle in a court of law." Gov. Pataki, not known as a friend of the Indians, called Reno's action, an "unwarranted intrusion" into the affairs of New York State. (3/23/98)
Western New York residents are outraged over indications that U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno may enter the dispute over Indian claims of ownership of Grand Island. Reports at this web site and in The Buffalo News have indicated Reno is siding with the Indians in their attempt to extract billions of dollars of land claims that go back to the early 1800's. Now, area politicians are getting the message and are urging the federal government to stay out of the attempted land and money grab. U.S. Congressman John LaFalce, Assemblyman Sam Hoyt and Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski are among those who have written letters in recent weeks asking Reno and Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt not to intervene in the Senecas' 4-year-old lawsuit.
"The federal government has absolutely no reason to intervene in this matter," said Hoyt, a Democrat, whose district includes the 18,600-acre island and its 17,000 residents. "If the Interior Department is requested to intervene in this case, I urge you as strongly as possible not to do so," LaFalce, D-N.Y., wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt.
The Seneca Indians sued the state and Erie County in August 1993, seeking the return of all islands in the Niagara River, including Grand Island. The Senecas claim the state's purchase of the islands in 1815 from the tribe was not valid because of a technicality: it was never approved by the federal government as required under a 1790 land treaty signed by President George Washington. Federal intervention is said to be vital to the lawsuit's future because of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that said Indian tribes cannot sue states in such matters. There is nothing in the law preventing the federal government from suing states on behalf of Indian tribes. The Seneca Nation has asked the federal government to do just that. State and county officials argue the Senecas' lawsuit has no merit because Grand Island was given to the British by the Senecas in 1764 and became property of the United States during the American Revolution. Lawyers defending current landowners on Grand Island, cite the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving the Couer d'Alene tribe's claim to ownership of an Idaho lake. The high court ruled that tribes cannot bring land claims in federal courts against states.
In 1972, the federal government reportedly was found by the Indian Claims Commission to have violated its fiduciary "obligation" to the Senecas regarding Grand Island. The commission determined the nation should receive an additional $56,500 as compensation. Assemblyman Hoyt said..."There therefore exists no further legal obligation on behalf of the federal government to the Seneca Nation for the purchase of Grand Island by New York."
In August, Reno reportedly intervened in another land dispute between the Seneca Nation and New York state dating back to the 19th century. Papers were filed in U.S. District Court in Buffalo supporting the Seneca's claim that the state obtained land near Cuba Lake in Allegany County illegally between 1858 and 1872. Reno got the federal government involved to prevent the state from arguing that it should be dismissed from the case due to the Couer d'Alene ruling. (9/3/97)
Update 12/16/97: New York State Attorney General, Dennis Vacco, told a meeting of Grand Island residents the state will resist any payoff to the Indians to settle out-of-court and is prepared to go to trial, even if Reno brings the federal government in on the sides of the Indians. He urged residents to write Reno and other federal officials voicing opposition to federal intrusion in the dispute.