Man convicted of killing abortion doctor says he did not mean to do it

The man convicted of shooting and killing an abortion doctor with an assault rifle made a last attempt Wednesday to convince jurors he meant to shoot, but not kill.

Anti-abortion extremist James Kopp acknowledged firing the shot that killed Dr. Barnett Slepian but said his goal was to disable the doctor and prevent him from performing abortions the next day.

"No `I'm sorrys'" will bring Dr. Slepian back," Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Mehltretter said. "The defendant shot Dr. Slepian and he died."

The two sides presented their closing arguments in Kopp's federal trial on charges he violated the U.S. Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act by killing the abortion provider in 1998.

The law bars people from blocking access to reproductive health services by force or threat of force.

Kopp, 52, who is representing himself in the trial, could face life in prison without parole if convicted.

Kopp is already serving a 25-year-to-life sentence for a state conviction on second-degree murder in the doctor's death.

Jurors were expected to begin deliberating Wednesday afternoon.