Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Kansas Supreme Court has ordered the judge in the murder trial of the man who has confessed to killing an abortion provider to reconsider a decision to ban reporters from jury selection.
Judge Warren Wilbert had closed jury selection in the case and sealed the juror questionnaire. Judge Wilbert ruled that to allow media to attend the proceedings could result in a "chilling effect" on paneling prospective jurors.
Four news outlets, including The Associated Press, had asked the
court to overturn Judge Warren Wilbert's decision last week to ban
reporters from jury selection.
News outlets argued the ban would wrongly keep the public away
from the process.
It was unclear late Tuesday what effect the high court's order would have on the start of jury selection, scheduled for Wednesday.
Scott Roeder has confessed to killing abortion provider Dr. George Tiller, saying it was necessary to save unborn children.
