Atlanta — Some 300 seats were set aside so victims of the deadly bombing at the 1996 Olympics and two other blasts could join others in court to see Eric Rudolph sentenced to life behind bars.
But only about half the victims were likely to show up today, partly because a previous sentencing in Alabama turned into a forum for Rudolph's anti-abortion, anti-gay views, and partly because they believe it's time to move on.
"I don't want to give this guy any more time. It's taken enough of my time and my life," said Jane Henry of Boca Raton, Fla., who was struck by shrapnel in her leg during the Olympic Park blast.
The bombing at downtown Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park killed one woman and injured 111 people, and blasts in 1997 at an abortion clinic and at a gay nightclub in north Atlanta injured 11 more people.
The outcome of the sentencing hearing was determined by a plea deal.
Rudolph, 38, will be sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for the three Atlanta blasts. He received the same sentence last month for the 1998 bombing of a women's clinic in Birmingham, Ala.
Rudolph used his sentencing in Birmingham as a forum for his views.
Today's sentencing hearing was expected to last 2 1/2 hours.
Sixty-one victims and relatives notified the court that they planned to attend. About a dozen plan to speak.
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