Scott Roeder Wants Dr. Tiller's Schedule

We're not really sure what to think of this one. Scott Roeder's defense team filed a motion for discovery on Thursday that asks the Court to order the production of:

Any and all professional calanders, appointment books, records of scheduled procedures, or similar documents, either in electronic form or written form, or both, of the victim Dr. George Tiller, for the dates May 1, 2009 - June 30, 2009.

Our first thought was that Phill Kline had taken over the defense and was trying to get patient information again. Dr. Tiller was murdered on May 31, 2009 so the records for the month of May are really confusing.

The June records could be argued, we guess, as part of a necessity defense (i.e. there were abortions scheduled so this was necessary). That would be inconsistent with the comments from the defense attorneys however that they have told Roeder that was not a valid defense and they would not be pursuing it.

This may be nothing more than a "client control" motion. One that is filed at the behest of the client and the Judge gets to knock it down instead of the attorneys being the bad guys - but given the nature of this case we doubt that.

At this point we're bothered by the request - but - as we don't know the inner workings of the case we're going to withhold judgment. There may be a very valid reason for this request and if so then it should be granted. We're not dealing with Kline and his ilk so at this point, we're comfortable with the wait.

What are you thoughts? Post a comment and let us know why you think this request has been made.

Scott Roeder Wants Dr. Tiller's Schedule

Working on Page Load (updated)

We've noticed the site has started to load slow recently. Not sure what is causing it but we're on it. You can always find out what we're reporting on Twitter http://twitter.com/Roeder_Watch or on Facebook.

Update: We've found the problem. It's the pdfs of the motions. We're working on a way to get them to you without lagging the system.

Working on Page Load (updated)

Roeder Motion On Jury Qualification

We've previously reported on the motion filed by Roeder's defense team to restrict jury selection based on jurors views on the death penalty. We've obtained a copy of the motion and supporting brief. We're still going through them but wanted to get them out to you as quickly as possible.

(We've had to pull the documents due to a page lock error the script was causing. We'll get them back as quick as we can)

Roeder Motion On Jury Qualification

AP reports FBI received letter about Roeder (UPDATED)

According to the AP, a month before Dr. Tiller's murder, the FBI received a letter warning Scott Roeder planned on hurting Dr. Tiller or other providers.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation says that more than a month before Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed, it received an anonymous letter warning about the man now charged in the case.

FBI spokeswoman Bridget Patton says the April letter warned that Scott Roeder would physically harm Tiller or any other abortion provider.

The letter turned out to have been written by Mark Archer. He and his wife are in the midst of a bitter custody battle with Roeder over a child Roeder fathered.

Roeder has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in Tiller's May 31 killing.

Patton says the agency found no specific, credible threat in the letter.

The letter was sent by Mark Archer to the FBI who has commented on this blog about Roeder's concern for born children. We at Roeder Watch understand not following through on anonymous letters that do not give specific information concerning a crime. Of greater concern is that the FBI did not follow through on FACE violations carried out by Roeder at a Kansas City area clinic in May leading up to the murder. Violence is increasing at clinics across the country, and law enforcement is not routinely protecting women's rights throughout the country. On a more positive note, the Bellevue Police Department is working to prevent violence to Dr. Carhart. Dr. Carhart is under threat of legal action through Operation Rescue on similar trumped up charges as Dr. Tiller faced. This summer, Operation Rescue launched their "Keep it Closed" campaign which was attended by convicted domestic terrorists as well as several others who commonly traveled from out of state to harass Dr. Tiller and his patients.

UPDATE: The AP talked to Mark Archer concerning the letter.

AP reports FBI received letter about Roeder (UPDATED)

Scott Roeder Seeks Change of Venue (Updated)

On Tuesday, November 10th Scott Roeder's defense team filed a motion requesting a change of venue. We're going over the motion right now and will have more details soon. For now, here is an small portion of the argument from the "Brief In Support Of Motion For Change Of Venue."

In the instant case, the defendant is accused of shooting and killing an infamous lat term abortionist, Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller was only one of a handful of licensed medical professionals in the entire country who was willing to perform 2nd and 3rd Trimester abortions. The victim was outspoken regarding his professional actions, and was aggressive in the defense of his livelihood. As a result, a large and strong contingent of anti-abortion opponents remained vigilant in a likewise aggressive manner, and the victim's abortion clinic, located in Wichita, Kansas served as the epicenter of the abortion protest/debate for decades. As a result, at the time of his death, r. George Tiller was the most well-known resident of Sedgwick County on a national scale.

As a result of his demise on May 31, 2009, the life and death of George Tiller was fully played out in both the local and natinal media. A candlelight vigil was held on the evening of his death in Wichita where thousands of individuals gathered to pay homage. All national media outlets, including network television, national daily publications, and major internet news sources ran stories detailing the events of the killing with utmost priority. The local media, which was fresh off the heels of covering the trial in which Dr. Tiller was accused of violating the abortion laws of the State of Kansas, examined the incident, as well as the involved individuals, with relentless scrutiny.

The death of George Tiller represented the confluence of controversial issues deeply ingrained into the mindset of multiple generations of Wichita residents. The point-blank shooting of the world's most famous abortionist, accomplished in a House of Worship, set against the backdrop of the heated, bitter debate which surrounds the act of human abortion.

The defendant, Scott Roeder, was arrested and charged within hours of the death of Dr. Tiller. Allegations surrounding the alleged political beliefs of the defendant appeared and were broadcast/printed immediately. Individuals who claimed to know the defendant were quoted, with inflammatory statements damming the defendant. AN overturned conviction of the defendant was revealed and detailed, and unsubstantiated aspersions were cast in the heat of the moment.

There is much more and we'll get it to you as soon as we can.

UPDATE: Here is the motion and brief for change of venue (we've had to pull the documents until we can find a way to post them that won't slow up the site)

Scott Roeder Seeks Change of Venue (Updated)

Scott Roeder would not kill a fly, a man yes but not a fly

In 1996 Scott Roeder was arrested after a sheriff's deputy found ammunition and a blasting cap in Roeder's car. His conviction was eventually over turned due to a Constitutional violation. Tim Hrenchir interviewed Roeder's father following that arrest.

If Roeder's father is correct (and as a father he's allowed to see his son through rose colored glasses) then there are more involved in the assassination of Dr. Tiller than just Scott Roeder. “Scott would not kill a fly,” his father said in the interview. “He won’t step on a worm. So how could he possibly, unless he was being used by somebody, be planning anything that would take human life?” (emphasis added)

You have to wonder who really got Roeder to pull the trigger.

Scott Roeder would not kill a fly, a man yes but not a fly

Domestic Terrorist (Sympathiser) Contacts Roeder Watch

First it was in the comments now we're hearing from a terrorist sympathiser via e-mail (the all caps is not for your eye sight, that's how it was written).

I AM VERY GLAD MR. ROEDER DID WHAT HE DID. HE PROTECTED THE LIFES OF MANY UNBORN CHILDREN

IF YOU WANT TO UPHOLD AHD SUPPORT A BABY MURDERER LIKE TILLER, I HOPE GOD FORGIVES YOU.

I SINCERELY HOPE THAT GOD FORGAVE MR. TILLER FOR ALL THE WANTON KILLING HE PERFORMED. I GUESS HE FORGOT HIS HIPPOCRATIC OATH OF FIRST, DO NO HARM.

I THINK MR ROEDER IS A HERO AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE TO MANY CHILDREN WHETHER THEY KNOW IT OR NOT.

I THINK HE IS A HERO. MR. ROEDER THAT IS.

SIGNED
ARMANDO M ACOSTA

Isn't it just great that we need to be forgiven for supporting Dr. Tiller but it seems to be okay to support a terrorist assassin. Wow, talk about being a hypocrit!

Mr. Acosta, you're entitled to your opinion . . . no matter how sick and twisted it is. But don't worry, you're not alone in your idiocy.

Domestic Terrorist (Sympathiser) Contacts Roeder Watch

National Organization for Women & Rachel Maddow on Roeder's confession

First, the National Organization for Women released a statement today urging federal action in light of Scott Roeder's confession to the AP.

"The absurdity of his defense is insulting and dangerous to women, but it also reveals his terrorist methodology using murder to accomplish his political goals," says NOW President Terry O'Neill. "It is precisely this unrepentant domestic terrorism -- and those who fund it -- that must be stopped or else we will see more clinic violence and people will be killed," said O'Neill.

NOW is calling on the Obama Administration and the Justice Department to treat this as domestic terrorism, and use every aspect of anti-terrorism laws to prosecute Roeder and to find and stop his funders. We urge the administration to freeze the assets of people or organizations, domestic and international, who helped fund and supported Roeder's anti-choice activities.

When we freeze Dave Leach's assets, could he maybe take an English class? None of us at Roeder Watch can finish anything he writes (we desire to keep our minds largely intact).

Terry O'Neill is an awesome woman. I've had the pleasure to meet her a couple of times in the last few months. I am glad NOW continues to inform everyone murdering abortion providers is terrorism. And, hey, now that Roeder has admitted to it, no one has to call him the "accused killer" any longer. Scott Roeder: Domestic Terrorist.

Rachel Maddow briefly covered this story tonight, showing pictures of three of the people who signed the latest "Defensive Action Statement" (aka Promotion of Terrorism Statement):

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

National Organization for Women & Rachel Maddow on Roeder's confession

Roeder says "I don't have any regrets" about murdering Dr. Tiller (UPDATED)

(Link and quote updated below)

The AP released a more detailed article about today's interview with Scott Roeder in which he admitted to murdering Dr. Tiller.

Defiant and unapologetic, a man accused of shooting a Kansas abortion provider confessed to the slaying Monday, telling The Associated Press that he killed the doctor to protect unborn children. ...

"Because of the fact preborn children's lives were in imminent danger this was the action I chose. ... I want to make sure that the focus is, of course, obviously on the preborn children and the necessity to defend them," Roeder said.

"Defending innocent life — that is what prompted me. It is pretty simple," he said. ...

"No, I don’t have any regrets because I have been told so far at least four women have changed their minds, that I know of, and have chosen to have the baby," Roeder said. "So even if one changed her mind it would be worth it. No, I don’t have any regrets." ...

In rambling phone and jailhouse interviews shortly after his arrest in May, Roeder has said he would be pleased if others took action to stop abortion by any means necessary.

"Violence is not wrong in all situations, so if it takes that — then if it is done righteously — then, if it's done, it is OK," Roeder has said.

ter⋅ror⋅ism [ter-uh-riz-uhm]

–noun 1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.
2. the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.
3. a terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government.

When you use murder to convince women to carry pregnancy to term, you did not choose life: you terrorize people.

This is a bad defense, and it will fail. This will not empower wannabe domestic terrorists to embark on a full-blown reign of terror against American women and our medical doctors. This will, instead, send a disturbed man to prison for the rest of his life, and it will encourage others to sacrifice their lives to prison while they continue to terrorize women, our families, our friends, and our health care providers.

Also of note, I have heard supporters of Roeder say two women had continued their pregnancies due to Dr. Tiller's death. One of them, while being interviewed by a Norwegian paper, said Roeder's actions kept them from "saving more babies". Women simply went elsewhere, and sidewalk anti-choice militants couldn't shout at women and harangue them out of having an abortion at that time. It might seem like this man couldn't be called a "supporter" of Roeder, but since he was spending a lot of time with convicted domestic terrorists Jennifer McCoy (who attended Roeder's hearing) and Cheryl Sullenger, I stand by calling him a "supporter". At the very least, he's not sorry Dr. Tiller's dead; he's just sorry he can no longer terrorize women locally in Wichita.

Roeder says "I don't have any regrets" about murdering Dr. Tiller (UPDATED)

Roeder admits to killing Dr. George Tiller

According to the AP (linked through KWCH Wichita, Scott Roeder has confessed to killing Dr. George Tiller. He plans on using the so-called "necessity defense" at his January trial.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Scott Roeder has confessed to the shooting of a Kansas abortion provider.

The 51-year-old Kansas City, Mo., man told The Associated Press in a telephone call from jail Monday that he plans to use the so-called necessity defense at his trial. Roeder contends the killing of Dr. George Tiller in May at a Wichita church was justified to protect the lives of unborn children.

His confession comes as abortion opponents across the nation release a new "Defensive Action Statement" arguing for the same force to protect the unborn as is justified to protect born children.

The 21 signers want jurors to be allowed to consider that defense at Roeder's Jan. 11 trial. Among the signers are Eric Rudolph, James Kopp and Shelley Shannon - all serving prison time for targeting abortion doctors.

He's been hinting at this for a long time, but he has finally said it.

This is NOT a confession for a guilty plea. As it appears, since he admitted it to the press, he is not going to change his plea. He plans on putting Dr. Tiller on trial, as we have long suspected here on Roeder Watch.

UPDATE: We found a longer article concerning Roeder's admission.

Roeder admits to killing Dr. George Tiller