Scott Roeder Admits in Court to Killing Abortion Practitioner George Tiller

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jan 28, 2010   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Scott Roeder Admits in Court to Killing Abortion Practitioner George Tiller

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 28
, 2010

Wichita, KS (LifeNews.com) — Scott Roeder, who has no ties or affiliation with pro-life organizations or the pro-life movement, admitted in court today that he shot and killed late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller. Roeder says he do so in order to protect unborn children even though Tiller was close to losing his medical license.

Roeder is charged with first-degree murder in shooting Tiller and two counts of aggravated assault for threatening members of Tiller’s church after he shot him there.

During his time on the stand, Roeder admitted he purchased a gun the day before he shot Tiller and that he had engaged in target practice beforehand.

His defense lawyer asked: "Did you go and shoot Dr Tiller?"

Roeder replied: "Yes."

He then proceeded to contradict himself and his own actions, which pro-life groups have soundly condemned.

"It is not man’s job to take life — it’s our Heavenly Father’s. He is our creator, he gives and takes life. It’s never up to man to take life, except in defense of self or others," he claimed.

Prosecuting attorneys raised objections at repeated points during Roeder’s testimony

Roeder’s confession is part of a legal strategy the defense is employing to asking that they be allowed to mount a manslaughter defense on his behalf, employing a rarely-used section of Kansas law.

Voluntary manslaughter is defined in Kansas law as ”an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force.” It would net Roeder a five-year prison term instead of a life term in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

Tiller is the late-term abortion practitioner whom pro-life groups already have exposed for illegal abortions and killing a mentally-disabled woman in a botched abortion.

However, Tiller got off twice after politicians who pro-life groups exposed as siding with the abortion industry worked against the prosecutions.

Roeder’s lawyer, Mark Rudy, said Roeder grew frustrated and decided he had to act to stop the abortions himself.

"He came to the view that he was going to have to take action himself," Rudy told the jury. "He killed Dr Tiller as he believed that was the only way to save the lives of the unborn. He will tell you he had no choice."

AP indicates District Judge Warren Wilbert warned people in the courtroom on Wednesday to quit showing emotion one way or the other.
He said he would no longer tolerate "moans, groans," or other "verbal outbursts," after several members of the audience interjected their views on rulings, comments or motions during the trial. He said violators would be charged with contempt of court.

"I don’t want the jury to be distracted by anything in the gallery," Wilbert said.

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