Peter James Knight

Infobox Criminal
subject_name = Peter James Knight
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date_of_birth = Birth date and age|1954|1|1|mf=y
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charge =
conviction = Murder
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Peter James Knight (b. January 1, 1954) is a pro-life activist who shot dead a security guard in an Australian abortion clinic.

He led a hermit's life in the years leading up to the incident. He lived in a small camp in the suburbs, 'off the grid' without a telephone or electricity. He did, however, frequently attend pro-life rallies.

On 16 July 2001 he walked into the East Melbourne Fertility Clinic (a private abortion provider) in Melbourne, Australia carrying a rifle. He also had 16 litres of kerosene, 3 lighters, torches, 30 gags, and a handwritten note that read "We regret to advise that as a result of a fatal accident involving some members of staff, we have been forced to cancel all appointments today".

He later stated that he intended to massacre everyone in the clinic, and progressively rid Melbourne of all its abortion clinics. He shot 44 year old Steven Rogers, a security guard, in the chest, killing him. Staff and clients overpowered him soon after.

For many weeks after his arrest he refused to answer questions altogether, and refused to cooperate with their investigations. Police did not know his identity until 3 months after his arrest, even though his photographs were published in major newspapers.

On 19 November 2002 he was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of 23 years. He will be in his 70s before being eligible for parole. He is currently serving in Barwon Prison, Lara, Victoria, Australia.

So far, this incident is the only killing by an anti-abortion activist in Australia's history.

References

* [http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSCA/2004/48.html R v Knight (2004) VSCA 48 (25 March 2004)]
* [http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2002/498.html R v Knight (2002) VSC 498 (19 November 2002)]

External links

* [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/11/19/1037599408221.html Anti-abortion killer jailed for life]