Kopp

James Kopp

The fervent anti-abortion activist many characterize as an extremist didn't always hold such staunch religious beliefs. Kopp, 49, was once an Agnostic and a scientist who, like Slepian, once had aspirations of going to medical school. The California native holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of California at Santa Clara and a master's degree in embryology from California State University. He was admitted to medical school and even did spinal cord injury research at Stanford University.

But Kopp soon gave up his successful career when he became active in the pro-life movement and converted to Catholicism. He began joining groups like the Lambs of Christ, traveling around the world to perform "rescues," or non-violent interventions. Nevertheless, such protests led to approximately 20 arrests around the globe.

At the time of the Oct. 23, 1998, shooting, Kopp was living in Jersey City, N.J., under the name Clyde Swenson. Following Slepian's murder, many who knew Kopp characterized him as a pacifist and defended him against allegations that he was the gunman — making his confession in November a stunning revelation to even those closest to him.

Slepian

Dr. Barnett A. Slepian

The 52-year-old married father of four was an outspoken abortion advocate in Buffalo, defending himself in past protests around his clinic and home with words — and on one occasion, with a a baseball bat.

Slepian was even ordered by a local court to pay $400 in medical bills and damage to a protestor's van in March 1989.

The physician seemed to have a bumpy road early on in his career, transfering from a community college to the University of Denver, where he earned a zoology degree. Slepian failed to make it into an American medical school, however, and continued his studies in Belgium for a year before transferring to Guadalajara, Mexico, where he earned his medical degree.

Slepian completed his residency at the University of Buffalo, one of the few OB/GYN programs in the country that included abortion training.