Free Republic

A self-proclaimed born-again Christian who believes all abortions are a sin told his trial for murder today that he shot dead an abortion doctor in Wichita, Kansas, to protect unborn children. Scott Roeder said he had bought a .22-calibre Taurus gun and ammunition on 30 May 2009, the day before he shot George Tiller, and practised target shooting with his brother. Then he checked into a motel in Wichita, and the next day followed Tiller to the church in the town where the doctor was an usher. His defence lawyer asked: "Did you go and shoot Dr Tiller?" Roeder replied:...

As the murder trial gets under way Monday for the man accused of gunning down Wichita abortion provider George Tiller, the world will be watching. “This is a very, very high-profile trial,” said Kirk Longhofer, media coordinator for Sedgwick County District Court. “We’ve had as much, if not more, inquiry from national and even international media as any of the other big cases that have been tried here in the past 10 years.” Remember, that includes the trial of the BTK serial killer. Scott Roeder, 51, of Kansas City, is charged with first-degree murder in the May 31 shooting death...

'Necessity' Defense In Abortion Doctor Killing? Attorney for accused killer doctor doesn't close door to strategy WICHITA, Kan. - Seemingly contradicting his own public statements, an attorney for the man accused of gunning down a Kansas abortion provider has argued in court documents that his client has an "absolute right" to present a defense that argues the killing was justified to stop abortion. A defense motion made public Monday seeks to thwart prosecutors' efforts to ban the so-called necessity defense from Scott Roeder's murder and aggravated assault trial. A hearing on the issue is set for Dec. 22. "For the...