Scott Roeder sentenced to life

By GottaLaff


Sometimes things turn out the way they should. Via an e-mail alert:

Scott Roeder, an antiabortion extremist who shot and killed Dr. George Tiller, one of a handful of American physicians who performed late-term abortions, was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 50 years in a Wichita, Kan., courtroom Thursday.

Roeder was convicted on Jan. 29 of premeditated murder for shooting Tiller in the head during a Sunday church service in Wichita.

A former airport shuttle driver with ties to anti-tax groups, Roeder was sentenced to an additional 24 months on two counts of aggravated assault for threatening to kill two church ushers who tried to stop him as he fled Reformation Lutheran Church after the shooting May 31.

More soon at: http://www.latimes.com

VERDICT: Tiller Killer GUILTY

By GottaLaff

Via an e-mail alert:

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Jurors reach verdict in murder case involving Kansas abortion provider's slaying.

Per MSNBC just now, a nearly instantaneous, 15-minute verdict:

First degree murder.

As if there was ever a doubt, reasonable or otherwise.

"Pro-Life". Right.

UPDATE via an e-mail from the L.A. Times:

In a trial that never became the referendum on abortion that some abortion foes wanted, a Wichita, Kan., jury today convicted Scott Roeder of murdering George Tiller, one the nation's few physicians who performed late-term abortions.

The jury of seven men and five women deliberated for only 37 minutes.

Whether Roeder shot Tiller at point blank range in the forehead in the foyer of Tiller's church in Wichita last May was never at issue; Roeder had admitted it to reporters, in court filings and finally to a jury on Thursday. He also said he had been stalking Tiller since at least 1999.

More soon at: http://www.latimes.com

UPDATE, via MSNBC: Prosecutors asking for life with no parole for 50 years. He'll be 101.

Judge rejects 'necessity defense' in Tiller killer abortion case

By GottaLaff

Ordinarily, I'd assume this was a gimme, but given today's political climate, I'm more relieved than anything:

WICHITA, Kan. – A judge ruled Tuesday that Kansas law doesn't allow a so-called "necessity defense" in the trial of a man charged with killing one of the nation's few late-term abortion providers.

The decision was another blow to lawyers for 51-year-old Scott Roeder, who has confessed to shooting Dr. George Tiller on May 31 and says it was necessary to save "unborn children." [...]

In his ruling, Judge Warren Wilbert cited a 1993 criminal trespassing case involving an abortion clinic in which the Kansas Supreme Court said that allowing a person's personal beliefs to justify criminal activity to stop a law-abiding citizen from exercising his rights would "not only lead to chaos but would be tantamount to sanctioning anarchy."

Darned activist judges. He must be one of us Commie gay abortionists.

He noted abortion is legal and told attorneys he found it difficult to consider the shooting of Tiller in the back of a church on a Sunday morning, with no overt act by Tiller himself, as an act spurred by an imminent threat of death or bodily harm.

Abortion is legal. Abortion is legal.

Abortion. Is. Legal.

However, Wilbert told attorneys he would "leave the door open" to consider later whether to allow specific evidence on the use of force for the defense of another person before letting the jury hear it.

"That doesn't mean it is wide open ... we can discuss it," Wilbert said.

One's beliefs do not justify murder.

A difference of opinion does not justify murder.

Abortion is legal. The doctor who performed the abortions in question did so legally. The sick beast who assassinated Dr. Tiller did so illegally. Dr. Tiller was living and breathing and practicing medicine legally... until Roeder murdered him.

So much for the hypocrisy of being "pro-life".

FBI concerned about militants visiting accused abortion doctor killer

Yeah, no need to track right wing fanatics at all. I'll be surprised if we make it thru the rest of the year without another one of these thugs trying something.

The list of those visiting and communicating with the man accused of killing Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller reads like a who's who of anti-abortion militants.

Two convicted clinic bombers. The man behind the Army of God Web site. Several activists who once signed a declaration that defended the killing of abortion doctors.

And federal agents have now talked to many of them.

As Scott Roeder sits in the Sedgwick County Jail in Kansas awaiting trial on murder charges, a federal investigation is under way to determine whether there was a conspiracy involved in Tiller's death.

Abortion-rights advocates say Roeder's contacts since the shooting raise questions.

"This is definitely a concern," said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation. "This guy has been in the hard-core anti-abortion circle for a long time, and there has been a pattern of communication and encouragement among these people."

Added- Apparently, there are other signs that have been noticed.

Scott Roeder (Dr Tiller's Murderer) Preaches Justifiable Homicide From Jail

So he gets to advocate for his heinous crime while waiting for prosecution? I'm gobsmacked.

WICHITA, Kan. - A man charged with murdering Kansas abortion provider Dr. George Tiller has been advocating through mailings from his jail cell that such killings are justifiable.

Scott Roeder sent Oregon anti-abortion activist Linda Wolfe a pamphlet that lauds Paul Hill, the convicted murderer of an abortion doctor, as an "American hero," and includes examples of Hill's writings about how it is justifiable to kill abortion doctors.

The Rev. Donald Spitz, whose anti-abortion group Army of God celebrates Hill's teachings, says he provided Roeder with seven of the pamphlets upon Roeder's request.

Video- Prosecuter raises bond for suspect in Dr Tiller murder for fear of more violence

Doesn't sound like they think he's a "lone wolf".

WICHITA, Kan. - Prosecutors are taking possible threats made by the man accused of killing abortion provider George Tiller seriously. That's why the bond for Scott Roeder was raised to $20 million from $5 million.

A transcript released Tuesday of an impromptu telephone call last week between attorneys and the judge in the case makes public for the first time why his bond was increased.

District Attorney Nola Foulston told the judge prosecutors were concerned about the safety of the community because Roeder can "reach out" to several people and blogs. She said a reasonable person would believe the suspect has engaged in "alleged acts of American terrorism."

Justice Department To Probe Tiller Killing

By GottaLaff

I should hope so!

The Justice Department has announced an investigation into whether federal crimes were committed in connection with the murder of Dr. George Tiller.

In a press release, DOJ writes that it will probe whether there were violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act or other federal statutes in the case.

The release explains:

The FACE Act was enacted by Congress in 1994 to establish federal criminal penalties and civil remedies for violent, obstructionist or damaging conduct affecting reproductive health care providers and recipients.

Rachel explains:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Questions have been raised -- including by us -- about whether the FBI responded aggressively enough to tips about those incidents. And it looks like DOJ is concerned to push back against that criticism. The release continues:

"The Department of Justice will work tirelessly to determine the full involvement of any and all actors in this horrible crime, and to ensure that anyone who played a role in the offense is prosecuted to the full extent of federal law," said Loretta King, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "We will conduct a thorough investigation that will complement and build upon the fine work of the Sedgwick County District Attorney and other state and local law enforcement agencies."

[...] DOJ's announcement suggests that this is being prioritized as a national matter.

I, for one, am breathing a little easier than I was when the above Rachel Maddow Show first aired (June 3, 2009).

Tiller assassin's ex-wife: "That's all he cared about is anti-abortion"

By GottaLaff



The nutcase who assassinated Dr. George Tiller was obsessed, per his ex-wife:

Roeder's ex-wife, Lindsey Roeder, said her husband became obsessed with anti-government theories and abortion in the early '90s and that it poisoned their 10-year marriage. The couple had one son and Lindsey Roeder told reporters Monday she insisted on custody because she feared for the child's safety.

"The anti-tax stuff came first, and then it grew and grew. He became very antiabortion," she told the Associated Press. "That's all he cared about is antiabortion. 'The church is this. God is this. Yadda yadda.' "

Anti-tax? Why, that has a familiar ring to it? Think, think... who else is anti-tax?

Yadda yadda, by all means, fire Janet Napolitano for daring to suggest that right wing extremists are a very real threat, even lone misfits like Roeder, which as we all know is utter nonsense... yadda yadda.

Operation Rescue Tries To Distance Itself From Roeder’s Activities

By GottaLaff

I'm not seeing a whole lot of distance between Operation Rescue and Roeder, but who am I to question such peace-loving, "pro-lifers" who say they are praying for the comfort and healing of the assassinated OB-GYN that they so lovingly referred to as "Tiller the Killer" and "mass murderer"? Think Progress:

Shortly after news broke of the killing, Troy Newman, President of the anti-choice group Operation Rescue, issued a statement condemning Roeder’s actions: “We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller’s family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”

Here comes that wacky, zany ol' BUT again, craftily disguising itself as a "however":

However, veteran anti-abortion activist Randall Terry — who founded Operation Rescue — issued a statement calling Tiller a “mass murderer,” adding that he was an “evil man” whose “hands were covered with blood.” “We must continue to expose them in our communities and peacefully protest them at their offices and homes, and yes, even their churches,” he said.

How outreachy and inclusive of him. By the way, Operation Rescue, abortion is legal. Murder is not (to quote not only Commenter Texas Lou, but many others including myself).

Tiller had to be protected by federal marshals and his clinic was fortified by bulletproof glass and security guards. Operation Rescue’s 1991 protests drew “thousands of anti-abortion activists to this city for demonstrations marked by civil disobedience and mass arrests.”

Roeder, in fact, had been an active member of the Operation Rescue community and used the group as a platform for his vigilantism. (Authorities found a Post-It note with the group’s phone number in his car after the shooting.)

Yeah so, about that Department of Homeland Security report on right wing extremists that got such harrrrumphs from the Rushpublics... But I digress.

Operation Rescue President Troy Newman is now trying like the dickens to distance his group from Roeder’s actions:

Scott Roeder has never been a member, contributor, or volunteer with Operation Rescue. Mr. Roeder may have posted to our open blog web site, as have thousands of members of the public, including those with pro-abortion views, but he is not affiliated with this organization. [...]

In spite of these horrific events, we remain dedicated to working through all peaceful and legal means available to bring an end to the killing of innocent children through abortion.

Gee, using the word "killing" isn't inflammatory at all.

In May 2007, Operation Rescue organized a “77-hour round the clock prayer vigil” in Wichita, KS, Tiller’s hometown. “Let’s keep the pressure on George Tiller and the authorities until they are willing to bring him to justice!” read the announcement for the event. On May 19, Roeder commented on the thread, chillingly urging Operation Rescue members to take the fight inside Tiller’s church:

Bleass [sic] everyone for attending and praying in May to bring justice to Tiller and the closing of his death camp. Sometime soon, would it be feasible to organize as many people as possible to attend Tillers church (inside, not just outside) to have much more of a presence and possibly ask questions of the Pastor, Deacons, Elders and members while there? Doesn’t seem like it would hurt anything but bring more attention to Tiller.

Hunter at DailyKos also caught a “Scott Roeder” commenting on another Operation Rescue site, Charge Tiller, which has since been taken down. On Sept. 3, 2007, Roeder stepped up the violence in his rhetoric, writing:

It seems as though what is happening in Kansas could be compared to the “lawlessness” which is spoken of in the Bible. Tiller is the concentration camp “Mengele” of our day and needs to be stopped before he and those who protect him bring judgement [sic] upon our nation.

Try as they might, OpResc is about as distanced from the assassin as the Nation of Dick is from torture.

This is who killed Dr. George Tiller

By GottaLaff

To all those who scoffed and belittled the DHS report about right wing extremists, here's a little something about the alleged killer (51-year-old Scott Roeder of Merriam, Kansas):

Via diarist FreeStateDem, Militia Watchdog previously reported of Roeder:

July 7, [1997], Kansas: Scott Roeder is sentenced to sixteen months in state prison for parole violations following a 1996 conviction for having bomb components in his car trunk. Roeder, a sovereign citizen and tax protester, violated his parole by not filing tax returns or providing his social security number to his employer.

He was also an active member of Operation Rescue; in 2007 a "Scott Roeder" posted this on the Operation Rescue website (which has been down throughout the day, probably more as a result of increased traffic than any sense of collective shame):

[May 19th, 2007 at 4:34 pm] Bless everyone for attending and praying in May to bring justice to Tiller and the closing of his death camp. Sometime soon, would it be feasible to organize as many people as possible to attend Tillers church (inside, not just outside) to have much more of a presence and possibly ask questions of the Pastor, Deacons, Elders and members while there? Doesn’t seem like it would hurt anything but bring more attention to Tiller.

The Lawrence Journal-World and News relays that Kansas City station KMBC reported a post-it note with a phone number for Operation Rescue in his car at the time of his arrest.

So a bombmaker, tax protester, member of the "sovereignty" movement, anti-abortion zealot and Operation Rescue member: the arrested suspect manages to fit every stereotype of right-wing militia teabagger.

Just your average guy who "values life" above all else, so much so that he (allegedly) felt compelled to take one.

Once he's convicted, finding a place to imprison him will be a real challenge, since our super-max facilities apparently aren't secure enough to hold, you know, terrorists.