Peter Knight (murderer)
{{Short description|Anti-abortion activist and convicted murderer}}
{{For|other people with this name|Peter Knight (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Peter James Knight
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1954|1|1}}
| birth_place = {{NSWcity|Bathurst}}, New South Wales, Australia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| alias =
| charge =
| motive = Anti-abortion extremism
| conviction = Murder
| conviction_penalty = Life imprisonment;
with a minimum non-parole period of 23 years
| conviction_status = Incarcerated
| occupation =
| spouse =
| parents =
| children =
}}
Peter James Knight (born 1 January 1954) is an Australian criminal who murdered a security guard in a Melbourne abortion clinic. Following his arrest and criminal trial, Knight is serving a life sentence with a minimum non-parole period of 23 years. {{As of|2022}}, the incident remains the only killing by an anti-abortion activist in Australia.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-apr-24-mn-39628-story.html|title=Man Convicted in Deadly Abortion Clinic Shooting|date=24 April 2002|work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=3 January 2012}}
Early years and background
Knight was one of six children born into a Roman Catholic family in {{NSWcity|Bathurst}}, New South Wales.
Later, he led a hermit's life in the years leading up to the incident{{cite AustLII|litigants=R v Knight|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2002/498.html|link= |court=VSC|num=498|year=2002|pinpoint=|parallelcite=|date=19 November 2002|courtname=auto|juris=}} in a bush camp in the Killanbutta State Forest near {{NSWcity|Molong}}, "off the grid" without a telephone or electricity. He did, however, frequently attend anti-abortion rallies in Sydney and Melbourne. Knight was also opposed to smoking, smokers, tobacco companies, and the taking of oaths.
Murder
On 16 July 2001, Knight walked into the East Melbourne Fertility Clinic, a private abortion provider, carrying a rifle and other weapons,{{cite news|title=Abortion clinic guard killer jailed for life|url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s730342.htm|work=The World Today|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|format=transcript|date=19 November 2002|access-date=5 May 2018}} including {{convert|16|L}} of kerosene, three 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 developed homemade mouth gags and door jambs to restrain all patients and staff inside a clinic while he doused them with the kerosene.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/deluded-prolife-crusader-peter-james-knight-kills-guard-but-wanted-more-dead-after-he-brought-his-gun-and-hatred-to-an-abortion-clinic-in-melbourne/news-story/c5a432d3036f9d745640a3c02810dab9|title=Deluded pro-life crusader Peter James Knight kills guard, but wanted more dead after he brought his gun and hatred to an abortion clinic in Melbourne|author=Anderson, Paul|work=Herald Sun|date=11 March 2014|access-date=5 May 2018}} Knight later stated that he intended to massacre the 15 staff and 26 patients at the clinic and attack all Melbourne abortion clinics.
Once inside, he shot 44-year-old Stephen Gordon Rogers, a security guard, in the chest, killing him while clients and staff soon overpowered him.{{cn|date=April 2024}}
Legal proceedings
For many weeks after his arrest, Knight refused to answer questions or cooperate with police investigations. Due to his isolated life, Victorian Police were unable to confirm his identity until three months after his arrest, even though his photographs were published in major newspapers. According to psychiatrist Don Sendipathy, Knight interpreted the Bible in his own unique way and believed in his own brand of Christianity.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/11/19/1037697662403.html|title='Remorseless' recluse gets life|author1=Berry, Jamie|author2=Munro, Ian|work=The Age|date=19 November 2002|access-date=23 November 2012}}
After choosing to not obtain legal representation, Knight was found guilty by a jury{{cite news|url=https://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/752703/peter-knight-guilty-of-abortion-clinic-murder/|title=Peter Knight guilty of abortion clinic murder|work=Central Western Daily|date=23 April 2002|access-date=5 May 2018}} and, on 19 November 2002, he was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum non-parole period of 23 years. Knight will be aged in his 70s before being eligible for parole. On 14 May 2003, Knight lodged an appeal against his conviction; however his appeal was dismissed as it was not lodged within fourteen days of his sentence, as required under the law.{{cite AustLII|litigants=R v Knight|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSCA/2004/48.html|link=|court=VSCA|num=48|year=2004|pinpoint=|parallelcite=|date=25 March 2004|courtname=auto|juris=}}{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/security-guard-killer-peter-james-knight-loses-appeal-bid-over-death-of-steven-rogers/news-story/f7fc8c79d996e0ef1eae7888b59bd79f|title=Security guard killer Peter James Knight loses appeal bid over death of Steven Rogers|work=news.com.au|author=Iaria, Melissa|agency=Australian Associated Press|date=20 May 2011|access-date=5 May 2018}} He is currently serving time in HM Prison Barwon, near Geelong.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cite AustLII|litigants=R v Knight|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSCA/2004/48.html|link=|court=VSCA|num=48|year=2004|pinpoint=|parallelcite=|date=25 March 2004|courtname=auto|juris=}}
- {{cite AustLII|litigants=R v Knight|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2002/498.html|link=|court=VSC|num=498|year=2002|pinpoint=|parallelcite=|date=19 November 2002|courtname=auto|juris=}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Knight, Peter James}}
Category:Abortion in Australia
Category:Anti-abortion violence
Category:Australian anti-abortion activists
Category:Australian people convicted of murder
Category:Australian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment
Category:People convicted of murder by Victoria (state)
Category:People from Bathurst, New South Wales
Category:Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by Victoria (state)