Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Nun, 84, Gets 3 Yrs. for Nuclear Facility Break; Tells Judge "To Remain in Prison Is an Honor"

An 84-year-old nun and two men were each sentenced to nearly three years in prison yesterday for breaking into a Tennessee nuclear facility in July 2012, the Religion News website reports today (February 19, 2014).

Sister Megan Rice and two other anti-nuclear activists were convicted last May of breaking into a federal complex that stores enriched uranium. Rice -- a member of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus -- broke into the Tennessee facility with Greg Boertje-Obed, 58, and Michael Walli, 64. The three used wire cutters to slice through multiple security fences.

"Please have no leniency on me. To remain in prison for the rest of my life would be the greatest honor you could give me," Rice told the federal judge at her sentencing hearing.

U.S. District Judge Amul Thapar in Knoxville said he wanted the sentence to send a signal that others need to work for change within the bounds of the law.

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