Eric Rudolph pleaded guilty in federal courts in Birmingham and Atlanta to the bombing of the 1996 Summer Olympics and the bombings of two abortion clinics and a lesbian bar, citing a hatred of abortion, gay rights and the government as his motive.

As part of a plea bargain that will spare him from the death penalty, Rudolph admitted his guilt and later issued an 11-page prepared statement. He expressed no remorse.

"The purpose of the attack on July 27th was to confound, anger and embarrass the Washington government in the eyes of the world for its abominable sanctioning of abortion on demand," Rudolph's statement said. Rudolph called President Bush a "coward" for not making abortion illegal.

"I am not anarchist. I have nothing against government or law enforcement in general. It is solely for the reason that this government has legalized the murder of children that I have no allegiance to nor do I recognize the legitimacy of this particular government in Washington."

Despite not getting an apology from Rudolph, federal prosecutors were satisfied with the plea bargain, although some victims expressed regrets that he would not face the death penalty.

"Today Eric Rudolph's reign of terror ended in courts of law and justice. It ended with certainty, immediacy, finality and protection of public safety," David Nahmias, the U.S. attorney in Atlanta, said. "There will be no further delays in obtaining justice for the public and the many victims of his terrorist acts."

See Also:
Full Text of Rudolph's Statement
Rudolph Pleads Guilty to Atlanta Olympic Blast
Rudolph Pleads Guilty in Olympic Bombing and Three Other Attacks
Rudolph Pleads Guilty in Olympic Bombing

Background:
The Eric Rudolph Case
Complete Timeline for the Eric Rudolph Case