Where is Eric Rudolph Now?:- Eric Rudolph is one of the most notorious domestic terrorists in American history. He was responsible for a series of bombings across the Southern United States between 1996 and 1998, which killed two people and injured over 100 others. His targets included the Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympics, two abortion clinics in Atlanta and Birmingham, and a gay nightclub in Atlanta. He claimed that his motive was to oppose “the ideals of global socialism” and “abortion on demand”, both of which he said were condoned by the US government.
Rudolph evaded capture for five years, hiding out in the mountains of western North Carolina, where he was aided by some sympathizers and survived on stolen food and supplies. He was finally arrested in 2003 by a rookie police officer who spotted him rummaging through a trash bin behind a grocery store in Murphy, North Carolina. He pleaded guilty to all federal charges in 2005, as part of a plea deal that spared him from the death penalty. He also revealed the location of 250 pounds of dynamite that he had stashed in the woods.
Life in Prison
Rudolph is currently serving four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole at the ADX Florence Supermax prison near Florence, Colorado. This is the most secure prison in the US, where inmates are kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, with limited contact with other prisoners or staff. Rudolph is housed in a 7-by-12-foot cell, with a concrete bed, a sink, a toilet, and a small window. He has access to a television, a radio, books, and newspapers, but no internet or phone calls. He is allowed one hour of exercise per day in a small outdoor cage.
Rudolph has not been silent since his incarceration. He has written several letters and essays that have been published on various websites and magazines, expressing his views on politics, religion, and society. He has also filed several lawsuits against the prison authorities, alleging violations of his constitutional rights. Some of his complaints include:
- Being denied a typewriter and a copy machine to write his autobiography
- Being denied access to certain publications, such as National Geographic and Smithsonian
- Being denied a vegan diet that he claims is required by his religious beliefs
- Being subjected to excessive noise and vibrations from nearby construction work
- Being subjected to excessive searches and seizures of his legal materials
Rudolph has also attempted to escape from prison twice, once in 2005 and once in 2006. Both times, he was caught before he could reach the perimeter fence. He was disciplined with additional restrictions on his privileges and communication.
Public Reaction
Rudolph remains a controversial figure in the public eye. Some people view him as a hero and a martyr for his anti-abortion and anti-government stance. They have sent him letters of support, donations, and even marriage proposals. Some websites and organizations have praised him as a “freedom fighter” and a “Christian soldier”. They have also organized rallies and protests outside his prison, demanding his release.
Others view him as a monster and a coward for his violent acts against innocent civilians. They have condemned him as a “murderer” and a “terrorist”. They have also expressed sympathy and solidarity with his victims and their families. Some groups have advocated for his execution or life imprisonment without any amenities. They have also organized vigils and memorials for those who died or were injured by his bombs.
Conclusion
Eric Rudolph is one of the most infamous domestic terrorists in American history. He was responsible for a series of bombings that killed two people and injured over 100 others. He evaded capture for five years before being arrested in 2003. He pleaded guilty to all charges in 2005 and was sentenced to four life terms without parole. He is currently serving his time at the ADX Florence Supermax prison, where he has written letters and essays, filed lawsuits, and attempted to escape. He remains a divisive figure in the public opinion, with some supporters and some detractors.