Tuesday, June 2, 2009

A Merriam man has been charged with first degree murder in the death of Dr. George Tiller. Scott Roeder was charged with murder and aggravated assault during a brief court appearance this afternoon.

Judge Ben Burgess announced Roeder is being held without bond.

After the hearing, District Attorney Nola Foulston told reporters the case does not qualify as a death penalty case.

Roeder's preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 16th.

Monday, June 1, 2009

District Attorney Nola Foulston spoke with reporters late this morning. She said the case will be prosecuted in state courts, and no federal charges are expected.

The man detained by police after late-term abortion provider George Tiller was shot to death in a Wichita church has left a suburban Kansas City jail where he was being held.

The 51-year-old man was placed in the back seat of an unmarked Ford Taurus at a Johnson County jail in New Century after nearly six hours of being held there.

Scott Roeder was booked into the Sedgwick County jail for murder late Sunday evening.

Roeder could also face charges for threatening two other church members and pointing a gun at them.

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Dr. Tiller was shot and killed this morning at his church. Authorities were called to a shooting at Reformation Lutheran Church in the 7600 block of E. 13th Street at 10:03 this morning. Police said Dr. Tiller was in the foyer at the back of the church. Deputy Police Chief Tom Stolz said 6 to 12 people may have witnessed the shooting.

Stolz said two men tried to apprehend the gunman. The gunman threatened the two men and pointed the gun at them.

Earlier this year, Tiller was acquitted of 19 misdemeanor criminal charges that he did not follow state law when getting a second opinion on late-term abortions. A jury acquitted Tiller of those charges on March 27.

On August 19, 1993, Tiller was shot outside his East Wichita abortion clinic by pro-life activist Shelly Shannon. He was wounded in both arms, but made a full recovery. Shannon was eventually convicted.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.