Roeder Watch

Little Scottie Has Been A Bad Boy

2011-10-14T10:37:00.000-05:00

While checking for an update on the appeal of inmate number 0065192 (details here) we decided to see if Scottie was being a good boy in prison. The answer should not come as a surprise, he's not.

We could provide you a list of his transgressions and our comments but we think this speaks for itself (but do pay attention to the May 29, 2011 entry).

Scott Roeder Appeal Update

2011-10-14T10:31:00.000-05:00

We've not posted in quite awhile because, well nothing is going on with the case.

According to the Clerk of the Kansas Appellate Courts, on September 8, 2011 Scott filed his brief with the Kansas Supreme Court. The State's brief is currently due on October 28th but we would expect a continuance or two to be granted. In short, it's going to be next year at the soonest before the Kansas Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the case.

One interesting side note. Terrorist supporter Regina Dinwiddie (we've mentioned her before here and here) asked the Kansas Supreme Court to allow her to file an Amicus Curie brief. The Court denied the motion.

Rep. Pompeo Does Not Care About Women

2011-02-19T12:58:00.000-06:00

Can't say we're surprised by the recent E-mail we received from Rep. Mike Pompeo. Did anyone think he was more caring or smarter than Todd Tiahrt? Nope, same ilk.

Dear XXXXXXXX:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the issue of abortion. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I value the input of every citizen in making sound decisions for Kansas and America.

I recognize that abortion is an issue where opinions can differ sharply. I believe that life is sacred and should be protected at all stages, from conception to natural death. In addition, I firmly hold that taxpayer money should not be used to fund abortions directly or subsidize healthcare policies that provide abortions. I cannot, in good conscience, support any legislation that provides taxpayer support for abortions, because I and so many constituents oppose the practice out of moral conviction.

Again, thank you for your thoughts regarding this important issue. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call on me or Keith Dater of my Washington, D.C. office. It is an honor to serve the people of Kansas in the United States Congress.

Sincerely,

Mike Pompeo
Member of Congress

A Message From Senator Sam

2010-09-26T20:24:00.000-05:00

I'd like to say that I'm surprised by this response but alas, I expect nothing less from the man. I received the letter via e-mail on September 20, 2010.

Dear XXXXXXX:

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about federally funded abortions in the military. I always appreciate hearing from the Kansans whom I serve.

Truly, no gift is more precious than life. I believe that life should be cherished by everyone and that all life is precious and should be protected. This should be a central tenet of any civilization(it is the hallmark of a truly life-affirming culture.

During my time in Congress, I have always defended the sanctity and dignity of every human life from the moment of conception. I will continue to be a strong advocate for legislation that ensures all individuals are afforded their inalienable right to life.

I do not support proposals to amend the National Defense Authorization Bill to allow for the funding of abortions in military hospitals overseas. Such amendments would have the effect of turning our military facilities into abortion clinics. Hardworking taxpayers should not have to be forced to pay for abortions.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me about this important issue. I appreciate your concerns, and I encourage you to visit my website at brownback.senate.gov for more information on the issues on which I am working.

Sincerely,

Sam Brownback
United States Senator

What Direction Should Roeder Watch take?

2010-08-01T11:03:00.000-05:00

We're still here at Roeder Watch. With the trial over there has not been much to report and we've been trying to figure out where we want to take this blog. Post a comment and let us know. Should we close the blog but leave it up as an archive? Should we make it broader and address the anti-choice movement and what they are up to? Should we move in some other direction?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Two videos from Rachel Maddow

2010-04-05T14:56:00.003-05:00

On Thursday, April 1st, Scott Roeder's terrorist friends got their April Fool's joke: after trying to provide reasons why Roeder should be allowed to walk out of the courthouse, Roeder was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 50 years plus 24 months for aggravated assault (with the possibility of a 15% reduction for the assaults for good behavior). If he behaves, positively contributes to prison life, and repents, he has no chance of getting out of prison for 51 years and 8 months.

Rachel Maddow has been one of the only people in the media consistently calling this what it was: domestic terrorism. Thursday, she had Julie Burkhart on the show. Julie was the executive director for Dr. Tiller's PAC, ProKanDo, and has since founded Trust Women PAC. It was nice to see her on the show.

In the second video, Rachel talks about other acts of anti-government terrorism which is linked to anti-abortion terrorism.

We will have more coverage of the trial and the sentencing later, probably with more video.

Tweeting Sentecing

2010-04-01T17:05:00.001-05:00

We're getting a message that we are over our tweet limit for the day. Don't know if we'll be able to tweet when sentencing starts back up.

Sentencing delayed

2010-03-01T14:40:00.001-06:00

According to the Wichita Eagle, Roeder's sentencing has been delayed from March 9th to April 1st. We at Roeder Watch do indeed note the irony.

Great Video - Verdicts Read In Roeder's Trial

2010-02-20T23:48:00.000-06:00

I just can't get enough of hearing this!

1996 interview of Roeder by Leach (part 1?)

2010-02-15T14:32:00.004-06:00

Dave Leach has been friends with Scott Roeder for a long time. In this interview for Leach's "The Uncle Ed Show," Roeder talks about being a Freeman. He talks about differences between God's law and man's law.

According to KWCH, Leach plans on selling tapes of the entire interview. Looking on his website, I would guess he wouldn't share the whole interview on YouTube (need the money to pay for the stay in Wichita, eh?) The Guardian criticized YouTube for hosting the jailhouse interview, though Don Spitz is of the opinion Roeder didn't threaten anyone in the interview. It is also on Leach's website for download. So it'll be around even if YouTube yanks it.

Spirit One Thinks the Sky is Falling

2010-02-15T14:28:00.003-06:00

Spirit One Christian Center has a long history of making political statements outside their building. Many of the statements have caused the IRS to take a look to determine if they have crossed the line as a tax exempt organization.

Appears they have placed Judge Wilbert in their sights. Always scary when a group as far right as Spirit One is in the same boat with so many of the pro-choice groups that were sure we'd all fall off the edge of the earth with Judge Wilbert.

Post-trial quick links

2010-02-15T13:12:00.000-06:00

Apologies for some late news here. I got bronchitis immediately after the trial and am just now getting over it. Here are some links of news the past couple of weeks:

Last week, Roeder's attorneys requested a new trial as is normal. Throughout the trial, Roeder's defense team stated the details behind their objections to various denials so they would be in the court record for the appeal.

During the trial, representatives from the US Department of Justice sat in the gallery and observed the trial (and some of the people in attendance). Which lead to an article concerning possible federal charges. Many of the people in the gallery have also visited Roeder in jail. Michael Bray, David Leach, Regina Dinwiddie, Jennifer McCoy, and Angel Dillard have all visited him and attended at least two days of the trial.

Up on the Eagle's website is a video with a couple of the deputies in the courtroom about their security measures during the trial. They made sure everything was orderly to keep the jury as free from prejudice as possible. Dinwiddie has been known in the past to make a ruckus during trials (she wanted to during Roeder's but was not allowed). These men and women of the sheriff's department did an excellent job.

Keith Olbermann gave a "quick comment" after Roeder's conviction. The truth behind Roeder's actions? He's not a hero: he's a fraud. Heroes don't threaten to kill others and then run and hide.

Last up, an article from The Guardian: Free speech wasn't meant for this.

There are a lot of things that don't get called terrorism in this country, but few of them approach the breadth of the long-term, flagrant campaign of intimidation, harassment, exhorted violence, attempted violence, actual violence, and murder of abortion providers and abortion-seeking women.

Roeder is a terrorist. It is flatly inexplicable why he is not regarded as such, nor his campaign of murderous rhetoric treated with the according contempt. Free speech was never meant to protect from embargo the communications of those who justify and exhort organised terror.

Interview With Scott Roeder

2010-02-08T22:47:00.000-06:00

Dave Leach did an interview with Scott Roeder after the verdict. As sick as it it, we have to be aware that this how these terrorists think.

More Soon

2010-02-07T17:22:00.001-06:00

Our apologies for going quiet after the verdict. We had to catch up on life outside Scott Roeder. We'll be back soon. Much more to report!!!

SCOTT ROEDER CONVICTED

2010-01-29T12:05:00.001-06:00

A Sedgwick County jury has found Scott Roeder GUILTY of all charges. We will update soon.

Day Five

2010-01-28T20:04:00.004-06:00

I didn't have an update on yesterday for a few reasons, and I still don't really have much of one. And today? I have little left in me but great sadness. Writing my daily post for RH Reality Check had me tear up again several times.

Today, Scott Roeder took the stand and admitted to murder and assault. According to Ron Sylvester, Roeder's attorneys let law enforcement know right before he took the stand where he left the gun. Until that point, he hadn't told them. Somewhere in Burlington, KS, a murder weapon is buried. For some reason, Roeder thought a pile of dirt in a parking lot would stay there so he could go back and get the loaded gun back. And that no one would be hurt.

Jennifer McCoy had a baby girl on Sunday via c-section. That's why she hasn't been at the trial much. She showed up this afternoon and won the lottery, sitting next to me again. Randall Terry, three of his goons, Dave Leach, Anthony Leake, Michael Bray, and Regina Dinwidde were among those in attendance today. A couple of new people showed up. Some Phill Kline supporters wanted to hear him testify but upon learning about the lottery seating process decided to leave. We might have more on that later. But until then ...

RH Reality Check Day Three

RH Reality Check Day Four

Today was a very difficult day. Even though I logically knew what would happen, it was still a shock to hear it. He presented it so coldly, with such disregard. Tomorrow, it will largely be done.

Day Three

2010-01-26T22:35:00.003-06:00

Today was very, very, very full of evidence. Very full. On the terrorist front, no one new that we could ID showed up though Randall Terry thought it would be a fantastic idea to neither "condone or condemn Scott Roeder's actions". When I left the courthouse tonight, I saw two people near the exit handing something out. They asked me if I was media. I told them no but asked what they wanted anyway. So they were handing out that press release which delt with Terry arriving and telling us he's planning a press conference Wednesday during the lunch session. Uh huh. He was also on the phone bad-mouthing Troy Newman. Operation Rescue's Advisory Board issued a press release authored by Christian Defense Coalition President Patrick Mahoney admonishing Terry. It's a pretty interesting read ...

At any rate, I have to get to bed soon so I can get up before dawn. In the mean time, check out the Johnson County Sheriff's Deputies pulling over and apprehending Roeder.

Trial roundups for Friday and yesterday are up on RH Reality Check (at the moment, there is an error with two dates).

Guess who I hung out with today?

2010-01-25T22:24:00.004-06:00

On the positive side: two representatives from the Feminist Majority Foundation, a representative from the National Abortion Federation, an old friend of Dr. Tiller's, and a clinic employee who lost her job in May.

On the negative side: David Leach (who edits his own Wikipedia page) and two little old ladies who sat with him, talking to the media about how Roeder was right. In the afternoon, Michael Bray made his much-anticipated arrival. Also making an appearance in front of the courthouse in handicap parking all day long: a van decked out with anti-abortion images with Illinois tags and Missionaries to the Pre-Born Iowa on the hood (the link is fun. Click it!) Totally pro-life.

Gone today were Regina Dinwiddie, her mother, Jennifer McCoy, Cathy Ramey, and "Texas".

We heard more evidence that Roeder planned this murder out. Unfortunately, DA Nola Foulston opened the door on the abortion conversation. But witness Keith Martin did a fair job responding back explaining the ELCA's social statement on abortion and that individuals are free to abide by it or not which was difficult for Mark Rudy to understand -- as I understand it, he's Catholic (which I was for most of my life) which doesn't really allow members to abide or not abide by statements made by the Church. Martin said that he had also been targeted by anti-choicers who sent letters to his house telling him he shouldn't teach Sunday school because of his church.

Randall Terry has told the press he'll be in Wichita tomorrow (Tuesday). Back when Sonya Sotomayor was up for confirmation, he swung through Wichita, holding a press conference at WHCS (he's barred from going near clinics, but since WHCS was closed by then, he could hang out there). A few of us locals managed to disrupt his press conference and what did appear on air included us loudly shouting in the background. He also tried to put his arm around me and hold my hand. I had to take a shower before telling the police. Last I heard, Don Spitz is due in town next week.

If you're in Wichita, please make sure to check out our twitter frequently so if any of these media whores/terrorists try something, you can come down and help us stop them.

Not. About. Abortion

2010-01-22T23:35:00.003-06:00

At least twice today, one of Roeder's public defenders, Mark Rudy, tried to lead a witness down the road Rudy had traveled during the preliminary hearing. The witness, Dr. Ryding, said he had noticed Roeder a few months before and had tried to have a conversation. Roeder was "defensive" and his conversation disjointed. Rudy wanted to know why Ryding, and the congregation, was so interested in new people. Ryding insisted it is because they are an open, welcoming church, but Rudy wanted him to say it's because some people come there to protest Dr. Tiller. Ryding worked hard not to go there, and Nola Foulston objected several times. At one point, Ryding said quite forcefully into the microphone the word "worship". When I first heard it, I wasn't certain what he had said. Apparently, neither was Rudy. He thought the word was "abortion" and repeated it. I figured it was "worship" because that's how Ryding continued. Rudy said "abortion" twice when questioning Ryding before he was stopped and the jury dismissed. The transcript was read back. Other than Rudy, everyone had heard "worship". Judge Wilbert gave Rudy the benefit of the doubt that he had honestly heard "abortion" (like I said, I questioned it originally). Later, Rudy was leading Ryding down the path to say he knew Dr. Tiller would eventually be killed, based on what he had told a detective back in May. Before Foulston could object, Wilbert stopped the questioning and called everyone to his bench. After that, Rudy stopped trying to get the answer.

Wilbert said if the witness opened the door to talk about Dr. Tiller's profession, Rudy could continue. But that Ryding had not opened the door. He had let Rudy try to get it out of Ryding, but he stopped it when it was going no where. It was getting the witness and Rudy quite frustrated (there were a couple of heated exchanges).

Wilbert had said several times before that this trial would not be about abortion. Today, he reminded the gallery not to make noises or motions that would influence the jury one way or the other. And then he stopped Rudy from forcing a witness to talk about Dr. Tiller's profession. Wilbert is keeping an eye on the questioning and keeping the trial about murder, not abortion.

Day One -- Terrorists in Waiting

2010-01-22T22:45:00.004-06:00

I am working on a post for RH Reality Check on the details of evidence today, but rather than repeat that here, I figure I'll talk about the behind-the-scenes stuff.

I was not the first one in this morning -- one person was before me. After me was a woman from Texas (her name is apparently in dispute; it had been up on the Kansas City Star but isn't anymore) who was quite fidgety. Regina Dinwiddie showed up along with a woman identified as her mother. Cathy Ramey came in from Oregon. Jennifer McCoy was also there. In addition was a woman who was a friend of Dr. Tiller's (I spent a lot of time with her) and a local attorney who had attended a couple of hearings, also a friend of Dr. Tiller's.

From Judy Thomas's fairly detailed KC Star article:

About a half-dozen of Roeder's supporters attended Friday's session. Roeder glanced at them and smiled as he entered the courtroom. As the session began, the judge warned those in attendance not to cause any outbursts or distractions. During the session, one woman was admonished when she reacted with glee when a photo of Tiller's body was shown to jurors.

Cathy Ramey, a longtime anti-abortion activist from Oregon, said she came to Wichita to observe the trial.

"I'm here because I believe that God has a consistent standard of justice and whatever force is necessary to protect an innocent born person ought to be applied to an innocent unborn person as well," Ramey said. Regina Dinwiddie, a friend of Roeder's from Kansas City, showed reporters a petition that she had been taking around Wichita. It said, "We, the undersigned, declare the justice of taking all godly action necessary to defend innocent human life,. We proclaim that whatever force is legitimate to defend the life of a born child is legitimate to defend the life of an unborn child. We further declare that if Scott Roeder shot and killed George Tiller, Roeder's actions are morally justified if they were necessary for the purpose of defending innocent human life. Under these conditions, Scott Roeder should be acquitted of all charges."

Dinwiddie said she’d gathered about 100 signatures on her petition.

"The tide is turning,," she said.

The woman "with glee" was the one from Texas. In the afternoon, she was having some sort of laughing or crying fit (we couldn't figure it out).

As for the petition ... I had caught this in a Google Alert a couple of days ago but did not see that it happened in Wichita. Ramey wrote the update I had found. I don't know which Wal-Mart they went to, but she also told Thomas today that she had a much lower response rate when she went to QuikTrip (a regional gas station). Dinwiddie estimated 8% of Americans support killing of abortion providers. Even if that were anywhere near true, no matter how many people are fine with murder does not make it right. Lots of people were fine with lynching.

Before the trial began, Dinwiddie wanted to see how far she could go before getting kicked out of the courtroom. She and Texas wanted to wanted to stand up when their "hero" came in. Seemed they wanted to cause a bit of a fuss. They were told they couldn't at all. Texas was disappointed (which I could tell because she was sitting next to me). We also saw the bomb-sniffing dog. Texas was all giddy. After I explained it's a bomb-sniffing dog, she complained that it's not fair that dog gets to be there but she can't bring hers. I tried to explain the dog is on duty, but that was wasted breath.

I found out Bray is "expected" in town next week, and Spitz is due in on the 31st. I didn't catch when Leach was suppose to be here. They told the media they hadn't planned any protests so far.

On a much happier note, over the lunch break we saw a young couple get married! We wished them well before the terrorists and terrorist sympathizers came back up. As the floor got more crowded, a gay couple introduced us to their newborn baby daughter, only 30 hours old when we met her. When we told them who was on the other side and who we were, they were glad they randomly picked to sit on our bench.

If you see something while reading these posts on the trial that you don't understand or think I should certainly be mentioning, please email us! These first few days are going to be quite strange for me. I'm still adjusting to all the national (and international) media attention on my hometown. It's surreal.

Another Pathetic Response From Todd Tiahrt

2010-01-22T16:01:00.001-06:00

Todd Tiahrt will not protect women in the pending healthcare legislation.

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for the inclusion of abortion services in healthcare reform legislation. I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.

I must respectfully disagree with you on this issue. I believe that God is the giver of life, that every life is sacred and should be protected, from conception to natural death. I cannot, in good conscience, support any healthcare reform legislation that provides taxpayer coverage for abortions. While abortion has been made legal in this country, an overwhelming majority of Americans do not want their tax dollars to pay for abortion. I strongly agree with this policy. Excluding abortion from the healthcare bill would not outlaw the practice, it would merely protect taxpayers from funding abortions.

The House passed H.R. 3962, the healthcare reform bill, on November 7, 2009. Included in the bill was an amendment that prevents federal funding from being used for abortion, or from going to benefits packages that include abortion. However, it does still allow individuals who wish to use their own private funds to purchase supplemental insurance that covers abortions. I voted in favor of this amendment, which passed by a vote of 240-194. H.R. 3962 is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate.

Again, thank you for contacting me. If you have any additional questions on this matter, please do not hesitate to call on me or Richard Henkle of my Washington, D.C. staff. It is an honor to serve the people of Kansas in the United States Congress.

Best regards,

Todd Tiahrt
Member of Congress

The jury has been selected, opening statements Friday

2010-01-21T21:58:00.005-06:00

Thursday evening, 8 men and 6 women were seated for the jury in the trial of Scott Roeder. Friday morning, there will be a few more motions before the jury is sworn in and opening statements begin. Word on the street is Regina Dinwiddie has been in town a couple of days and both Don Spitz and Dave Leach will be here shortly, if they are not already. We expect Jennifer McCoy to attend at least a few days of the trial though she is due with her tenth child on Valentine's Day. We're certain others will be in town as well.

This starts on an auspicious day. Tomorrow is the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It is the day pro-choice activists celebrate the recognition of women's right to choose in their pregnancies. Abortion is one of the ways in which women are empowered to participate in society (though the Roe decision is far more than just abortion: it is also to prevent laws regulating pregnancy). Though since Dr. Tiller died, thousands of women in Kansas have lost that part of our empowerment. Of our 105 counties, only two counties have abortion clinics, both in the extreme northeast. Women in western Kansas already faced a difficult and long journey to Wichita, one they likely couldn't afford on top of the cost of the medical procedure, and they must now travel even more. While we celebrate the recognition of our right to choose, we are also faced with the cold, sad reality that we in Kansas have quite limited access to it. I am feeling today much as I did on May 31st: angry and sad.

We will try to update our twitter page throughout the day. Also follow Ron Sylvester and RH Reality Check for additional updates. Tomorrow night, expect a report on opening statements.

Tomorrow, keep Dr. Tiller in your minds. And celebrate choice.

Judge Wilbert Gets High Marks From Attorneys

2010-01-17T21:05:00.001-06:00

The Wichita Eagle and the Wichita Bar Association conduct a survey of attorneys every election year to get an evaluation of the District Court judges from those that practice in front of them. The most recent survey was in 2008.

173 attorneys ranked Judge Wilbert. The percentage who stated they "agree" or "strongly agree" with the survey questions was above 60% in every category:

Is fair ------------------------------------------------------- 68%

Demonstrates knowledge of the law,
including the rules of procedure and evidence ----------------- 77%

Communicates orally and in writing in
a clear and logical manner ----------------------------------- 79%

Clearly explains rulings -------------------------------------- 73%

Is prepared for court ----------------------------------------- 79%

Is respectful, courteous and professional --------------------- 71%

Is punctual and demonstrates a fair work ethic. --------------- 78%

Applies the law appropriately --------------------------------- 67%

Treats people fairly without regard to
race, gender or sexual orientation ---------------------------- 71%

Is ethical ---------------------------------------------------- 66%

If the attorneys who appear before Judge Wilbert feel this strongly about him (and we know some win and some lose) then we need to calm down and trust him to try the case appropriately.

Senator Brownback Does Not Know About the Medical Needs of Women in the Military

2010-01-17T20:47:00.000-06:00

On Wednesday, we told you that Todd Tiahrt Does Not Care About the Medical Needs of Women in the Military. We've now heard back from Senator Brownback and his position is . . . well . . . unknown. Read this non-responsive response and let us know if you can decipher what he means.

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act. You may be assured of my interest in this matter, and I appreciate your taking the time to express your views to me. Please be assured that I will give this issue my most careful consideration, keeping your particular comments in mind.

I am honored and privileged to serve you in the United States Senate. Kansans elected me to Congress on a platform of Reduce, Reform, and Return in order to restore the American dream for Kansans and all Americans; and I continue to base my service upon these principles. From taxes to welfare reform to education to matters of fiscal responsibility to defense and all that comes in between, I cast my vote with these principles in mind.

The undergirding principle behind all of this is my deep and abiding respect for the dignity of every human being. When the Congress passes a law or Washington bureaucrats write a regulation, the lives of many people can be affected. Too often, policy in Washington is short-sighted or fails to take into account the long-term or broader effects and implications of laws and regulations on individuals' lives. While the Federal government does play an essential role -- especially in the areas of defense, commerce, and transportation -- I do believe that many other important decisions are better made at the local level where individuals have faces, and are more than just numbers or statistics.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this issue. As I continue my service in Washington on behalf of all Kansans, please continue to keep me informed on issues that are affecting you. I encourage you to visit my website at brownback.senate.gov to learn more about issues on which I am working. You are the reason that I am here, and I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Sincerely,

Sam Brownback
United States Senator

AOG Doesn't Like Pro-All-Life Groups

2010-01-17T20:21:00.003-06:00

We've always known that the folks over at AOG don't see eye to eye with their anti-choice brethern. Let's face it, AOG is "pro-life" and advocates killing while most other pro-life organizations are, well pro-life. So while doing some research today I wasn't that surprised to see that AOG had issued a "List of the Baby Betrayers."

This is a list of pro-life groups that took a pro-life stance and denounced the terrorist acts of Scott Roeder. So, who are these "evil" pro-life groups that think that all life has value?

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalitions.

Rev. Rob Schenck of the National Clergy Council

Society for the Protection of Unborn Children

40 Days For Life

Center for Bio Ethical Reform

American Life League

Focus on the Family

Women Influencing the Nation

Campaign Life Coalition

Kansas Coalition for Life

Life Issues Institute

Family Research Council

The Christian Anti-Defamation League

Kansas Family Policy Council

Susan B. Anthony List

Priests For Life

Kansans For Life

Stand True

The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC),

CatholicVote.org

Kelowna Right to Life

Real Women of BC

Rev Chet Gallagher OSA Las Vegas

Flip Benham OSA/Operation Rescue

Eric Scheidler of the Pro-Life Action League

We're not big fans of many of these folks either, but we do respect them taking a stance against terrorism and for that they get to be mentioned in this blog (this once) out of respect.

As for you AOG, we wouldn't expect anything less from you than your anti-life position. Your tinfoil hat is in the mail.

A couple of reasonable articles

2010-01-16T14:14:00.006-06:00

"Reasonable" is not a judgement on quality but a statement of reasonableness.

Friday, the AP published a story regarding the public vitriol directed towards Judge Wilbert, Kansas judge in abortion case comes under scrutiny. The article mentions that Wilbert was endorsed by the Kansans for Life PAC in 2008. We had been informed of this a few days ago, but knowing how endorsements are given for judges, we did not feel this would impact his decisions. We also discovered Dan Monnat, one of Dr. Tiller's attorneys, had represented Wilbert a couple of years ago. The AP expanded further on that saying Monnat had donated to Wilbert's re-election campaign. Honestly, from what Judge Wilbert has said in court so far, we could not tell one way or the other what his opinion on abortion was. He has used fair language (even using "medical clinic" to describe WHCS), and his rulings have made sense.

Which leads us to A Tough Case to Make at the Tiller Murder Trial in Newsweek.

This means Roeder has to demonstrate not one, but four things. First, that there was a threat to a third person. Second, that the threat was imminent. Third, that imminent threat was the result of an unlawful act. And, fourth, that he honestly believed all of this. If Roeder fails to prove just one, his defense falls apart. Roeder will have to convince the jury that he believed the fetus counts as a "third party"; so far, no state has ever declared a fetus a person. Proving Tiller to have been an imminent threat also poses a challenge, given that he was shot at church, not at his abortion clinic. Even if Roeder could prove that he honestly believed the fetus to be a third party, and that Tiller was indeed an imminent threat, he would still have to convince the jury that he honestly believed Tiller was committing an "unlawful act." Such a belief, however, would have absolutely no basis: despite numerous attempts by former Kansas Attorney General Phil [sic] Kline, Tiller was never convicted of performing an "unlawful" abortion.

A "formidable and daunting task" indeed.

And now to some unreasonableness. We've had two comments left on another post pointing out what appears not to be obvious: here on Roeder Watch, we're biased. We are honest in our pro-choice bias, but we are not blind in our bias. We're not, as danbeyer said, "pro death zealots". In fact, we're quite pro-life. We're anti-war (which is pro death) and anti-death penalty (likewise pro death) among other things. We're also actively anti-discrimination. And denying women a choice in reproduction is discrimination against women. The right to choose abortion is not in any way similar to slavery in America. Abortion is not our "golden calf" as Mark Archer says. We do not worship or idolize choice. We're quite well-rounded in our activism, but the past few months since Scott Roeder came to our city and killed a doctor in his church has shifted our focus for the time being. That being said for the past few years,we have worked to stop the slow destruction of access in Kansas. The right and access to reproductive options, including abortion, are among the several rights necessary for women to be able to fully participate in society. It is not the only right, but it is a fundamental right for full participation.

In May 2009, Scott Roeder walked into a church here in Wichita, Kansas, and shot Dr. George Tiller. This act was intended to scare other people from providing access to abortion and to frighten women in general. This was an assassination, and this was terrorism. You are free to disagree. But this is what Roeder has admitted to, and we will call it what it is.

Trial update: jury selection continues. Thus far, 25 out of 61 jurors have passed legal challenges with very few being dismissed. The defense has stated they fear the jury may be in danger and has requested special instructions to be given to jurors.

Todd Tiahrt Does Not Care About the Medical Needs of Women in the Military

2010-01-13T15:35:00.000-06:00

I've got to step away from the Roeder terrorism trial for a minute to share this E-mail I just received from Rep. Todd Tiahrt. No comment from me is necessary.

Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts regarding the provision of emergency contraception to women in the military. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

As you may know, Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME) introduced H.R. 4386, the Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act, on December 16, 2009. This bill would require emergency contraception to be made available upon request at all military health care treatment facilities. It is currently awaiting consideration in the House Armed Services Committee.

Due to the potential health risks, and controversial nature of emergency contraception, I cannot support this legislation. There are many physicians and pharmacists across the country with moral and professional reservations about the use of emergency contraception, and this bill does nothing to recognize those reservations. Although emergency contraception contains the same hormones that compose standard oral contraception, emergency contraception contains a much higher dosage than oral contraception. Specifically, one dose of EC is the equivalent of taking twenty single-dosage pills, followed by twenty more single-dosage pills 12 hours later of prescription only birth control pills. Reports have shown that the drug's side effects include nausea, infertility, ectopic pregnancy (which can be life threatening), and blood clot formation.

Again, thank you for contacting me. If you have any additional questions on this matter, please do not hesitate to call on me or Richard Henkle of my Washington, D.C. staff. It is an honor to serve the people of Kansas in the United States Congress.

Best regards,

Todd Tiahrt
Member of Congress

The Sky Is Not Falling

2010-01-13T15:16:00.001-06:00

I was going to write about why we feel the concerns many have over Judge Wilbert's recent rulings are overblown. Trying to determine just how to approach this issue I came across this great piece by Mike Hendricks of the Kansas City Star.

The title of his editorial, Judge being commendably cautious in Roeder trial, says exactly what we're thinking.

Hendricks said it best:

And guess what? Despite the continuing hysterical fears from abortion-rights groups, Wilbert is doing exactly what you’d expect from a judge in such a sensitive case.

He’s being careful.

“Every defendant has the right to have his theory of defense presented,” says Carl Cornwell, an Olathe defense attorney who has handled his share of murder cases.

For instance, some mistakenly think Wilbert has already decided to instruct jurors to consider a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter when it’s time for deliberations. He hasn’t.

Nor is he promising that he’ll allow Roeder’s attorneys to present evidence in support of their client’s contention that he thought he had to kill Tiller to protect others.

All Wilbert has done is left open those options so Roeder can’t later assert in an appeal that he was denied a fair trial.

None of us want to see Scott Roeder walk free. But we especially don't want it to happen the way it did the last time he was arrested, because his constitutional rights were violated - something that can be prevented.

Give Judge Wilbert a break. He's following the law and that is what we want in a Judge. If you don't like the law as it is (and there is reason to dislike it for sure) then the appropriate response is to work in the legislature to change the law. Judge Wilbert can't write the law, all he can do is follow it.

DON'T PANIC! And today's hearing. [Updated]

2010-01-12T16:30:00.007-06:00

*Found a couple of errors, one on voluntary manslaughter and the other on previous charges against Dr. Tiller. I have corrected them below.

Earlier today, Judge Wilbert made the same ruling he did Friday and three weeks ago: he is open to allowing evidence for "imperfect self-defense". He did, however, clarify a few things.

He started off today pointing out the media and members of the public have been all fatalistic on his decision to follow the law (and filling his email inbox). And he reminded us he's made only one decision as a matter of law: the necessity defense is not allowed under Kansas law. As for the voluntary manslaughter every other Chicken Little pro-choice activist is running around screaming about? He cannot rule on that. The state presented their motion quoting cases where the Kansas Supreme Court ruled premeditation and voluntary manslaughter cannot be decided by a jury simultaneously. The defense argued that in those cases, the jury instruction was to decide on them together. Judge Wilbert's ultimate statement was he cannot rule on matters of evidence until the evidence has been heard. The Constitution guarantees Roeder's right to a fair and impartial trial and to hear all appropriate evidence in his defense. He emphasised he wants to have only one trial as free of error as possible. He also reworded "an uphill battle" as "formidable and daunting task".

He gave us a new case to look at when talking about the voluntary manslaughter charge. In 2002, Bobby White drove from Great Bend, Kansas, to Augusta, approximately a 2-hour drive, and killed his son-in-law. He believe his grandson was being abused by his son-in-law, Aaron. So he walked into Wal-Mart and shot Aaron three times -- once after he was on the ground -- walked off and gave up to law enforcement. In his first trial, a defense witness was not allowed to testify. At the time, the jury had been given instructions to include both second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. They returned first-degree, premeditated murder. Because the defense witness was not allowed to testify, the Kansas Supreme Court overturned the conviction and a new trial ordered. The second trial did *not* give the voluntary manslaughter jury instruction. He appealed. The Kansas Supreme Court decided because he could not present imminent threat, it was proper not to instruct the jury on voluntary manslaughter.

Whenever we see this lesser included charge talked about, we only see discussion on the second part of the law, added in 1992, that includes the honest but unreasonable belief. What is not talked about, however, ~~is part a~~ is the rest of that line about use of deadly force*: imminent threat. This was part of why Judge Wilbert did not allow the necessity defense. We say again: Roeder drove three hours, stalked Dr. Tiller on more than one weekend, shot him, and ran off. There is also additional evidence to be presented that we have no clue about at this time. It will be incredibly difficult for Roeder and his defense team to say Dr. Tiller represented a threat, that threat could only be solved by killing Dr. Tiller, and an embryo's or fetus's life was more important than Dr. Tiller's. While the issue of abortion will not be argued, Roeder's beliefs could be brought up. But he would still have a very difficult time arguing imminent.

The other part about these motions is these arguments are not normally had at the start of a trial. They are intended in jury instructions, instructions Kansas jurors have heard before. Judge Wilbert said decisions on evidence will be heard on a witness-by-witness basis, even question-by-question. He cannot rule on what may or may not be presented. That is Roeder's constitutional right. It is our constitutional right.

Something for everyone to remember: in 2006 and 2008, two Kansas grand juries did not bring charges against Dr. Tiller for performing illegal abortions. ~~While Phill Kline and Paul Morrison, while serving as Attorney General, did bring up these charges, Steven Six did not.~~ . While Phill Kline, serving as Attorney General, did bring up these charges, Paul Morrison did not.* The ones he brought up were not that Dr. Tiller performed illegal abortions but that he did not meet Kansas's law on a second opinion. This last one would have been an incredibly easy way for a jury to slow him down if not shut him down. Some of the six jurors described themselves as pro-life. And in 45 minutes, they returned 19 not guilty verdicts. While not all Kansans are law abiding citizens, our jurors are good people.

Judge Wilbert did not in any way bring about an "open season" on abortion providers. His decision is not "chilling". It in no way "sends the message that religious fanaticism can be considered a defense for murder." And while wannabe terrorists see a glimmer of hope, it is because they are grasping at straws.

What Judge Wilbert did do was his best to limit the possibility of a mistrial or for Roeder to walk on appeal. That happened in 1996 when an over-zealous police officer violated his (and our) constitutional rights. He is working within the confines of the law, both statutes and case law, and to give Roeder his right to trial by jury and presumption of innocence. It is difficult to remember that especially given why Roeder assassinated Dr. Tiller and what Dr. Tiller means. Fatalists are just working themselves into an unnecessary panic. Of course, for many of them, that's their job. For us here at Roeder Watch, we want to make sure Roeder spends the rest of his natural life in jail. But we're not willing to misrepresent the law and the case at hand.

Jury selection will start tomorrow morning. Judge Wilbert has ruled the media and public is not allowed in. A few media outlets are protesting this. We disagree with Judge Wilbert on this issue and await a decision by the Kansas Supreme Court.

First day of trial delayed

2010-01-12T11:40:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, jury selection was set to begin in The State of Kansas v. Scott P. Roeder. Over the weekend, however, the prosecution filed a motion to stop so-called "imperfect self-defense" from being used. Yesterday, the defense filed a motion to allow the defense saying Roeder thought Dr. Tiller was an imminent threat to "unborn children". They will be arguing these motions today. We will try to live-tweet the hearing.

Since Friday when Judge Wilbert said he would leave the door open on the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, pro-choice activists have been screaming. And we at Roeder Watch have been trying to figure out how best to approach this. We're quite befuddled that in December when Judge Wilbert said the exact same thing, people were praising him and last week, he has suddenly opened up the possibility of open season on abortion providers (the quotes from Spitz and Leach are a nice touch, basically confirming what the Feminist Majority Foundation and Dr. Hern said). Today's hearing might settle this, but we'd just like to say yelling at Judge Wilbert isn't the answer. It's the law that is unclear, not the ruling.

We're also befuddled that, of all the things Judge Wilbert said on Friday, they jump on that one statement. Not that he feels Roeder will have "an uphill battle," that Roeder admitted to the cold-blooded murder, or that the trial will not be about abortion but about murder. That last one is what we all want, is it not? And why is it that uphill battle? Because it was so obviously premeditated: Roeder drove three hours to Wichita on more than one occasion, stalked Dr. Tiller at his church, shot him, and ran off. That's pretty cut-and-clear on premeditation. While we don't know if Judge Wilbert will allow this defense, we trust Kansas juries to see through the bull. Others may not, but Kansas juries have had more than a few opportunities to find Dr. Tiller guilty of something, anything, and they time and time again have not, no matter their opinion on abortion.

But even though the trial will not be about abortion, the defense is continuing in their effort to make it so. In addition to subpoenaing Phill Kline, the request for Dr. Tiller's professional calendars switched from asking the prosecution for it to subpoenaing it from Mrs. Tiller. We expect these records -- which constitute confidential medical records under federal law -- to stay out of the courtroom.

One last note before I prepare to go to the courthouse. We don't care your opinion on abortion, Dr. Tiller, Scott Roeder, or most anything else for that matter. Calling up a reporter and threatening his life? Go directly to jail; do not pass "Go". While we are not to fond of "abortion doctor" and "abortion trial," Ron Sylvester has shown to be an excellent and dedicated reporter.

In short: stop being assholes.

Final Round of Pretrial Motions Heard in Scott Roeder Terrorism Trial

2010-01-08T15:27:00.001-06:00

Today was the final series of pretrial motions and arguments by counsel for Scott Roeder's trial. We learned that Roeder filed a 100 page (maybe more) motion to reconsider the earlier denial of a "necessity defense." We've no doubt this is actually the motion prepared by Mr. Letch that has no real legal basis but is instead just a bunch of continued anti-choice preaching and screaming.

The Judge again denied the necessity defense for all the same reasons he did last month.

However, the court has left open the possibility of a statutory "defense of others" claim. Roeder will be able to put on some evidence of this defense but the court indicated that it was unlikely anything presented would rise to a level that would ultimately lead to the jury being instructed on the defense. The Court made it clear that this is not going to be a trial about abortion and if it should or should not be legal. It's about the actions of Scott Roeder.

Finally, the Court indicated that if supported by the evidence it would give the jury a lesser offense instruction of manslaughter. In short, if Roeder had an honest belief even though it was wrong that he had to act to protect others, that may rise to the level necessary for a lesser offense instruction. To get it however Roeder almost has to testify as to what he was thinking/feeling (like he would skip the chance to talk in this case).

Twitter Updates - Motion Hearing

2010-01-08T15:16:00.003-06:00

Sorry for the lack of Twitter updates on today's motion hearing. Twitter fail whale is making repeated appearances.

Kline Voluntarily Coming to Testify on Behalf of Scott Roeder

2010-01-08T11:24:00.001-06:00

As you've no doubt heard, anti-choice hero Phil Kline has received a defense subpoena to testify on behalf of Scott Roeder. The Associated Press reports "Kline said in a statement e-mailed Tuesday to reporters by his spokesman, Brian Burgess, that he had received a subpoena by mail and would comply with his legal obligation to appear." (AP story)

While receipt of a subpoena in the mail is in some circumstances valid if you reside in the state, it is not when you live outside the state, and thus outside the jurisdiction of Kansas Courts. One would think that Kline being a lawyer (albeit one who has had his license suspended in the past) and being the former "top cop" of the State he would be familiar with Chapter 22 of the Kansas statutes.

Since Kline now lives in Virgina, unless he wants to come back of his own free will and testify, there is much more that must be done to compel him to return.
Kline's statement that he will honor the subpoena means he's willingly coming back.

Anyone care to guess why Kline would agree to come back and testify for a domestic terrorist against Dr. Tiller?

The witness list got a little more interesting

2010-01-05T16:56:00.006-06:00

I apologize for not posting about Roeder's last pre-trial hearing. My life suddenly got very weird. Roeder has another pre-trial hearing this Friday. The prosecutor's office is adding 10 new names to their witness list including Roeder's brother, David, to whom he spoke shortly before shooting Dr. Tiller.

But it's another witness that'll show this trial to be more of a circus. Former Attorney General Phill Kline has been subpoenaed to testify by the defense. Two options here: they are either trying to say Dr. Tiller did, indeed, break the law; or they are saying Kline's fishing expedition drove Roeder over the edge. Roeder has said that the lack of conviction of Dr. Tiller in March compelled him to take action (and the posts on Operation Rescue's website also indicate this). Kline's persecution was bound to lead to more than legal troubles for Dr. Tiller.

For those who don't know, Phill Kline was elected Attorney General largely because he promised to go after people who raped underage girls (I have a problem with "child rape" as a phrase) and a few other tried-and-true neo-con tricks to get in (that and he's Republican ... though the Democrat who ran against him came pretty close to winning, but that's another story). Shortly after taking office, he schemed to close down Women's Health Care Services in Wichita and Planned Parenthood in Kansas City, two abortion clinics in the state (at the time, there were two others). His team lied to state agencies, a judge, and a grand jury for this expedition. He said he was going after underage girls having abortions and was also going after underage girls giving birth saying both indicate a crime has been committed (even though he was the only Attorney General to rule that way). But he only ever went after girls who had abortions. He sent his people to both clinics to take pictures of patients' cars and got hotel records so he could assign names to redacted medical files (way to go, privacy!). And when he finally filed charges, only 1/4 of them were for girls -- mostly, he went after late abortions.

He lost his re-election in 2006 to Paul Morrison who left office for having an extramarital affair with one of Kline's employees. Morrison's replacement, Steven Six, filed different charges dealing with technicalities. It was these charges that Dr. Tiller was cleared of last March. In addition to that grand jury, there was another petition-driven grand jury that found no evidence of wrong-doing by Dr. Tiller. In other words, every attempt by Phill Kline to shut Dr. Tiller and Planned Parenthood failed. Except for the secondary intention of these: to make both clinics unpopular. That Kline went on The O'Reilly Factor shows this wasn't about tackling crime but bring down Dr. Tiller. And he succeeded. The State of Kansas has accused two of Kline's aides, Stephen Maxwell and Eric Rucker, of violating ethics standards.

Quite the circus ...

Scott Roeder May Not Claim "Necessity" as a Defense to Terrorist Assassination

2009-12-22T20:27:00.001-06:00

Motions were heard today in the terrorism trial of Scott Roeder. Carolyn Marie was in the courtroom and will post here analysis and comments soon. For now, we can tell you:

Change Of Venue - Denied The Defense had sought to change venue to another county (why they didn't have a venue study done is beyond us, or the results may not have been good). This was a LONG shot motion. No case in Kansas has ever been reversed for failure to grant a change of venue. Had the motion been granted then the trial would have been moved to another county in Kansas.

Motion in Limine on the Necessity Defense (State's Motion) - Granted Judge Wilbert gave an EXCELLENT analysis of the law in Kansas as to the common law defense of necessity. He granted the State's motion and ruled that Roeder will not be allowed to claim it was necessary to assassinate Dr. Tiller. We're sure ~~Letch~~ Leech will be whining soon. But the ruling was one based squarely on the law and not on what the antis would like the law to be.

The State tried to expand their motion to include the statutory defense of others and the ability to ask for a lesser offense instruction of voluntary manslaughter. Because those issues had not been briefed and the defense not been made aware of them the Court did not rule. However, his analysis of the "necessity" defense made it clear that the terrorist has a huge hurdle to meet if he has any hope of being allowed to use defense of others.

Yup, Roeder plans on putting Dr. Tiller on trial

2009-11-23T20:22:00.004-06:00

It would seem we now know why Scott Roeder's lawyers wanted Dr. Tiller's schedule. According to the AP, Roeder's lawyers are going to the necessity defense after all after explicitly saying otherwise when Roeder announced he'd use it when he confessed to the AP a couple weeks ago.

"For the Court to grant the State's motion to prohibit 'any evidence' in support of the necessity defense would be premature, and contrary to Kansas law," the defense wrote. "In addition, it would be rank speculation on the part of the state (and the Court if it were to grant said Motion) as to the purpose of any and all evidence that the Defendant may seek to introduce."

While the prosecution's motion refers to a decade old case settled by the Kansas Supreme Court that rules out necessity defense for trespassing, the defense says trespassing won't necessarily save lives but murder would. At the time, the Court stated allowing personal beliefs to justify criminal activity would "not only lead to chaos but would be tantamount to sanctioning anarchy." Allowing anti-choice militants to shoot abortion providers would certainly lead to both chaos and anarchy, especially since abortion is 100% legal and a constitutional right in the United States.

"It is inconclusive whether the lives of the unborn were spared as a result of the act of criminal trespass," they wrote. "In the instant case, the result of the alleged murder resulted in the termination of abortions being performed in the City of Wichita by the victim, Dr. George Tiller."

Defense attorneys noted the Supreme Court also said that whether "the necessity defense should be adopted or recognized in Kansas may best be left for another day."

Perhaps performed by Dr. Tiller, but it certainly didn't prevent any abortions, in spite of Roeder's insistence otherwise. The number of abortions in the US have dropped consistently since the 80s and have leveled off since 2000 due to better access to contraceptives, which is true worldwide, and outlawing or restricting access to abortion does not prevent it. The only thing accomplished by assassinating providers is to force women to have unsafe and illegal abortions. Want a necessity defense? How's this: unsafe abortions killed 70,000 women last year. Each year, 2 million babies and 536,000 women die in childbirth, most of which can be easily prevented. The US ranks higher than other industrialized countries in premature births and maternal and infant mortality rates. This rate is linked largely to poverty and being uninsured throughout a woman's life. Why not save those babies and women? Why kill abortion providers?

[Roeder] told The Associated Press on Nov. 9 that he shot Tiller to protect unborn children and he planned to present a necessity defense at his trial. He also said one of his two public defenders, Mark Rudy, had given him the "green light" to talk to the media about it.

But the following day, lead defense attorney Steve Osburn told reporters the necessity defense did not exist in Kansas law and the defense team did not plan to present that strategy.

It's not allowable under Kansas law, but they're still going to argue it. Hopefully, this will all be settled next month when these motions are brought up in hearings.

Scott Roeder Wants Dr. Tiller's Schedule

2009-11-14T11:42:00.005-06:00

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.

Working on Page Load (updated)

2009-11-14T10:30:00.001-06:00

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.

Roeder Motion On Jury Qualification

2009-11-13T15:44:00.002-06:00

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)

AP reports FBI received letter about Roeder (UPDATED)

2009-11-13T15:40:00.002-06:00

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.

Scott Roeder Seeks Change of Venue (Updated)

2009-11-12T11:19:00.004-06:00

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

2009-11-11T10:19:00.002-06:00

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.

Domestic Terrorist (Sympathiser) Contacts Roeder Watch

2009-11-11T09:48:00.004-06:00

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.

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

2009-11-09T22:33:00.005-06:00

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

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

2009-11-09T15:51:00.004-06:00

(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 admits to killing Dr. George Tiller

2009-11-09T14:27:00.006-06:00

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.

eBay removes last items in aberrant auction

2009-11-02T16:29:00.002-06:00

Last night, the "prolife Bible" and "Catechism" were the first items posted in the Auction for Cowardly Assassinating Providers. Within the last half hour, they were removed. eBay had said they "would look into them". Seems they saw them as what they were: justification and glorification of violence.

Do expect Roeder's groupies to continue trying:

"I am very disappointed in eBay," Dinwiddie said. "I thought that was the last bastion of free enterprise in America with no political viewpoint, but I see I was mistaken about that."

Scott Roeder Auction Items - Take a Look For Yourself

2009-11-02T14:57:00.002-06:00

Talking Points Memo got pictures of some of the items being auctioned on behalf of Scott Roeder before they got pulled.

Word is there are still a couple of items that won't be pulled due to their "religious nature." Not sure on that but we'll keep looking and reporting them when we find them.

eBay Auction for Scott Roeder Begins . . . Then Gets Pulled

2009-11-02T12:46:00.002-06:00

Those wacky anti-choice folks must have thought eBay was just joking when it said that an auction to raise money for Scott Roeder would not be allowed. They have started posting items to try and raise money for Roeder. Luckily eBay appears to be on it and has started pulling the items. The Associated Press reports that "some of the more obscure items were still posted Monday morning." If you're on eBay and see some of this trash, make sure you use the report link to report an inappropriate listing so eBay can get it pulled.

Great Analysis of the Roeder - eBay - Auction - Publicity Stunt

2009-11-02T11:24:00.001-06:00

Mike Hendricks of the Kansas City Star has a great analysis of the publicity stunt that was the eBay auction for Roeder. We've reprinted it below. Until it disappears into the internet archives, you can read it here.

Mike Hendricks: Roeder not another John Brown, David

Little David slew the mighty Goliath and held aloft the Philistine's severed head.

Rembrandt and Caravaggio painted the bloody scene from 1 Samuel. Now comes Scott Roeder, the man charged with killing George Tiller. Roeder recently submitted for auction an autographed copy of a cartoon depicting his own version of the story.

"Tiller" is written across the forehead of the slain warrior. And for the role of David?

It's not spelled out, and as there is that presumption of innocence in our legal system, I'll leave it for you to decide what Roeder had in mind.

But biblical comparisons aside, Roeder's supporters have yet another notion of who Roeder represents to them, despite his not-guilty plea in the murder of the Wichita abortion provider.

He's a modern-day John Brown, reflecting the fact many in the anti-abortion movement compare themselves to the 19th-century abolitionists.

"We liken him to that," said David Leach, when I reached the Des Moines abortion opponent by phone last week.

Leach, along with Regina Dinwiddie of Kansas City, had tried to organize an online fundraiser on Roeder's behalf. Last week eBay put the kibosh on it (though Dinwiddie has said the auction will go on).

My interest, however, was in the comparisons, which are all over the Internet, between Brown, the anti-slavery crusader, and Roeder, the abortion foe. True, both were zealous believers in a cause.

"But it isn't just that they believed in it," Leach said. "There were actual human beings who were suffering that both intervened to rescue."

Roeder has admitted nothing. But he donated three cartoons to the auction, the stated purpose of which was to raise money to pay an attorney who would argue that Tiller wasn't murdered but instead was the victim of justifiable homicide.

"In my writings, I've been calling it the necessity defense," Leach said.

Chances of a judge allowing that defense in a Kansas courtroom are about as remote as Leach and his compatriots being able to raise the big bucks it would take to hire a lawyer willing to employ the risky strategy.

Even Leach acknowledges that Kansas law allows lethal force only "when the harm you're preventing is unlawful." And despite claims to the contrary by abortion opponents, Tiller's conduct in performing late-term abortions was lawful, as far as the legal system was concerned.

In short, the eBay auction was a publicity stunt aimed at confusing the issue. After all, what Roeder stands accused of is an act of cowardice, not nobility.

One Sunday morning in May, an armed assailant shot an unarmed Tiller to death at point-blank range in a church.

Dressing it up otherwise doesn't change that fact, or that the person who did it is a common murderer and no more.

Foul Play Ruled Out In Death of Retired U.S. Marshal

2009-10-31T00:12:00.004-05:00

The Wichita Eagle reports that an autopsy has been performed on Retired U.S. marshal Richard Schroeder and foul play has been ruled out. Mr. Schroeder died of natural causes.

Dinwiddie tells eBay they're discriminating against her religion

2009-10-30T14:52:00.007-05:00

"Dinwiddie’s lawyer sent a letter to eBay on Thursday saying that 'my client feels that your proposed course of action smacks of religious discrimination.'"

The Auction for Cowardly Assassinating Providers will go on, even on eBay, says Regina Dinwiddie. Why? Because she's not a country bumpkin who'll roll over when threatened. It doesn't seem eBay threatened anyone. Dinwiddie and the others involved in ACAP threaten and murder.

If your religion is to kill, the Constitution does not allow your free exercise thereof. We can't even marry two people; what makes you think you can kill?

Former U.S. Marshall Who Protected Dr. Tiller Found Dead

2009-10-30T13:32:00.002-05:00

The Wichita Eagle is reporting that Richard Schroeder was found lying his his driveway last night with head injuries. His death is currently being investigated and law enforcement has described it as "very suspicious."

"During his career as a U.S. marshal, Schroeder provided court-ordered protection for abortion provider George Tiller during 1991's "Summer of Mercy" anti-abortion protests.

For a significant part of Schroeder's career — first as a marshal and later as a private detective — he helped provide security for Tiller, a nationally known late-term abortion provider and perennial focus of anti-abortion protests and threats. Tiller was fatally shot at his Wichita church this summer.

Schroeder, who lived in Newton, also has operated a private investigation business in the Wichita area."

Roeder Defense Team Files First Motion - Abortion Views and the Jury

2009-10-29T17:27:00.003-05:00

Motions have begun to trickle into the courthouse for the trial of domestic terrorist Scott Roeder. The Wichita Eagle reports that the defense has filed a motions seeking to prohibit the state from removing a juror based on their anti-abortion views. (link no longer working)

From a defense side this is an excellent motion and one that we didn't expect - this soon. We don't think it will fly however. Anyone who is extremely pro-choice or anti-abortion to the extent that they can't give both sides a fair trial must be law be excluded. There is no way the judge can issue a black and white ruling like this. It's going to have to be decided on a case by case basis.

With the filing of this motion we expect to see more motions in the near future.

eBay stands by their rules while Roeder's friends stand by their assassin

2009-10-28T14:27:00.007-05:00

From Judy Thomas at the Kansas City Star a few choice quotes about eBay not hosting the Auction for Cowardly Assassinating Providers (ACAP).

"These materials contain hate messages, glorify violence against abortion doctors who provide constitutionally protected medical services, and instruct on means of violence, including bombing, of abortion clinics."

Letter to eBay from Lee Thompson, attorney for the Tiller family, approved by Jeannie Tiller, Dr. George Tiller's wife of nearly 35 years.

"They're not only chilling the First Amendment of the Constitution, they're raping the whole Constitution," said Regina Dinwiddie, a Kansas City abortion opponent and friend of Roeder.

She said the move wouldn't stop those who are trying to help Roeder.

"We have other plans that I’m not at the discretion to say right now," she said. "This is money for Scott Roeder so he can have a true defense. They're trying to shoot down the truth of what went on behind Tiller's closed doors and fenced gates, but it's not going to work."

Chilling effect? I think not. First of all, the Constitution restricts what various American governmental bodies can do. eBay is not a government body (even though the creator of eBay was haphazardly recommended by John McCain as Treasury Secretary during a presidential debate last year). They can restrict speech all they want. Second, raising money for an attorney is fine; however, the manner in which one does that might not be either legal or all that Constitutional (let alone tasteful).

The truth about what went on behind Dr. Tiller's doors is quite complex. Dr. Tiller provided abortions for women, most of which happened in the first trimester of pregnancy (around quickening, the fairly traditional line at which abortion was no longer legal). Of the second and third trimester abortions he provided, he did not terminate all pregnancies. He provided legal abortions (ones that would be illegal were turned away), and he wouldn't terminate pregnancies for uncertain women (at his funeral, I met a woman who, 15 years ago, went for an abortion and he almost didn't do it because he felt she wasn't certain she really wanted one). For women whose pregnancies he did not terminate, he offered adoption services, including finding her a place to stay in Wichita until she was ready to place her child for adoption. He provided late abortions for teenage girls (whose abortions tend to be later in pregnancy for various reasons) and women in need of abortions for their health and well-being within the law. If women could not afford her abortion, he would help them out, including helping pay for travel and reducing the cost of his medical services. He did not terminate pregnancies willy-nilly because someone wanted to fit into a prom dress or he wanted the cash. He did not take pride in murdering babies; he took pride in helping women. Law & Order might try to accuse him of killing already born babies, but that just didn't happen. No matter what Spitz, Leach, Dinwiddie, Newman, or Roeder claim. And that's the reality of what happened behind Dr. Tiller's doors.

We'll continue to follow this story since they will continue to try to raise these funds. But no matter what they do, the money will go to the State of Kansas, not to whatever lawyer they choose.

eBay pulls the plug on auction planned for Roeder legal defense

2009-10-27T22:14:00.004-05:00

Thanks to everyone who contact eBay over the last two days! They have announced that they will not allow the auction to take place.

Based on the details we know about the anticipated listings, we believe these would violate our policy regarding offensive material. eBay will not permit the items in question to be posted to the eBay site, and they will be removed if they are posted.

No word yet from Roeder's fellow terrorists if they will try to host the auction someplace else or just blow up eBay for not doing what they want

Rachel Maddow Takes On Domestice Terrorism Auction

2009-10-27T09:28:00.004-05:00

Rachel Maddow had a great analysis of the terrorism auction planned for Scott Roeder.

Tell eBay No Auction For Scott Roeder (Updated)

2009-10-25T15:25:00.006-05:00

As we reported the Kansas City Star has gotten word that several domestic terrorists plan an eBay auction to raise funds for Scott Roeder. Don't Let This Happen!

Please contact eBay and ask them to step up now and announce that they will not let an auction that glorifies murder taken place.

You can send a message through the eBay website. You can also write to: eBay Corporate Headquarters, 2145 Hamilton Avenue, San Jose, California 95125.

We've also found two phone numbers to call: 1-800-322-9266 and 1-888-749-3229. eBay's company hours are 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Pacific time, Monday through Friday.

Update: You can E-mail Ebay at ebayinc@ebay.com and press@ebay.com

Auction Planned to Raise Money for Scott Roeder's Defense

2009-10-25T15:08:00.004-05:00

The Kansas City Star reports that anti-choice forces are planning an online auction to raise funds to hire a new defense team for Scott Roeder.

Leach and others would like to help Roeder hire a lawyer to present what is known as a necessity defense. That strategy would argue that Tiller was killed to prevent a greater harm — killing babies. Other anti-abortion activists charged with violent crimes have tried to use such a defense but with little success.

The number of terrorists making donations is scary to say the least. Dave Leach, Shelly Shannon, even Scott Roeder himself. Dinwiddie (photo right) is a friend of both Scott Roeder and Paul Hill, another convicted domestic terrorist.

“This is unique,” said Regina Dinwiddie, a Kansas City anti-abortion activist . . . . “Nobody’s ever done this before. The goal is that everybody makes money for Scott Roeder’s defense.”

Roeder said in a phone interview that he was excited about the auction.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “I appreciate all of the efforts going into that. I’m all for anything that might bring some donations in.”

But he declined to comment about whether he would use such a defense.

According to the Kansas City Star, eBay would not say if they would allow the auction or not.

Complaint/Information Against Roeder

2009-10-21T21:51:00.005-05:00

Here is the Complaint/Information filed against Roeder.

The efforts to terrorize

2009-10-16T14:51:00.009-05:00

Remember last month when Operation Rescue told everyone they were days from closing and then a couple days later blamed the media for lying about their claims? Today, they have once again reminded everyone that "Operation Rescue is Not Dead Yet". I can't help but have images from The Holy Grail pop into my head. Musings on timely demises aside, some are left to wonder what they're talking about as they have once again claimed to be ready to announce "an exciting new project that will rock the abortion cartel back on their collective heels" while they continue to pursue "yet-to-be-published investigations of other abortionists in several other states" (in addition to their one targeting Dr. Carhart). Their office, which once had 9 employees but now have 4 according to Newman in the AP, "is as busy as it ever has been." Really?

The fundraising email hit inboxes late on the 14th of September. Apparently, their lack of money meant the project they had planned to launch "in the next 30 days" was delayed. Now, it's "in the coming weeks". What have they done in the last 30 days? Launched IAM71, an online activist project to tell Congress 71% of Americans do not support tax-funded abortions? The number comes from a Zogby poll from last year (reading their site for similar polls shows opinions change drastically depending on how the question is stated going from 69% opposed to 51% opposed in the same poll). Also found on their site? Top 10 reasons why pro-choice side is wrong (with no similar post for why the "pro-life" side is wrong) and a poll saying 71% of parents "oppose 'normalizing' homosexual relationships". Don't know that I entirely trust their statistics. Wiley Drake, who prayed for Obama's death and said Dr. Tiller's assassination answered his prayers, weighs in on the project, encouraging people to participate. Randall Terry called it a waste of time. According to OR's Twitter page, the project was launched on October 2nd, though the website says it has been up since August 31st. But Operation Rescue has never been known for their accuracy in reporting.

While I enjoy mocking the incredibly lackluster IAM71 project, I'm really still sitting here wondering what Operation Rescue is doing that they needed money for and are working harder than ever at. Other than incorrectly calling Jim Poullion's murder similar Roeder's. They're so busy with so many things happening, so many clinics they're closing, that they barely update their website with their many adventures.

I have no doubt they're working on something, some moderately new way to terrorize providers and take away women's rights (in the name of "saving" women's lives). And I have no doubt it's underhanded, and they will not commit any obviously illegal act to do it. They leave that up to other people. People like Michael Griffin, Shelley Shannon, Paul Hill, James Kopp (suspected in several shootings and convicted of one murder), John Salvi, and Eric Rudolph. And, for all intents and purposes, Scott Roeder who has all but admitted he killed Dr. Tiller. Some "Prisoners of Christ" lists I've unwittingly ran into are already asking for prayers for him. Of course, Don Spitz (snarkily pictured above) of Army of God and David Leach of Prayer & Action News and distributor of the Army of God manual are all over the place proclaiming his guilt.

Anti-choice terrorist sites regularly post the home addresses and other critical information about employees and volunteers at abortion clinics. This information has been used to stalk, harass, intimidate, and abuse clinic employees and their families at home, work, out on the town, and even their children in school. Without this in mind, the Oklahoma state legislature has passed a measure to put women's information online, short of their name and address, when they get an abortion in state. The Young Turks points out how terrifying this law could be.

I wouldn't be surprised if Operation Rescue, Kansas Coalition for Life, and Kansans for Life (among others) attempt to pass something similar in Kansas this upcoming legislative session. Roeder's murder of Dr. Tiller already makes it more difficult for Kansas women (and women across the country) to seek abortion care; what would happen if Kansas passed a law similar to Oklahoma? I really don't want to find out.

Thank You Wichita Eagle

2009-10-07T11:46:00.003-05:00

Thanks go out to the Wichita Eagle for calling Star Parker on her comparison of domestic terrorist Scott Roeder to Nat Turner. As we reported earlier Ms. Parker believes the number one issue for African-Americans is not racism but their "sexually immorality." This women who has had 4 abortions but wants to ban them for other women went on to compare Roeder to Nat Turner and abortion to the Holocaust. The response of the Wichita Eagle says it all.

Most pro-life groups, including Operation Rescue, condemned the murder of Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller and didn’t try to rationalize it in any way. Yet “conservative crusader” Star Parker, speaking Monday as part of the Civic Engagement Lecture Series at Wichita State University, compared accused killer Scott Roeder to Nat Turner, who led an uprising against slavery in 1831. She said that Roeder illustrated the hopelessness among those who oppose abortion. On the contrary, Tiller’s murder illustrates the danger of inciting unstable people with reckless rhetoric. (emphasis added)

Star Parker Goes Off The Rails

2009-10-07T09:36:00.002-05:00

All ills of society spring from our immorality. So said Star Parker at a recent presentation in Wichita. [Columnist: Social ills spring from immorality (Wichita Eagle)] Maybe in part she might have something here. But, Ms. Parker couldn't let such an allegation stand without running it right off the rails of logic when she "compared the killing of a Wichita abortion provider to the violence of the anti-slavery movement . . ." WHAT!?!

This from a women who "grew up" as a single mother (yeah, bad writing on that one I know but I just quote it) who has had 4 abortions. So, when she wanted to decide what was best for her body, 4 TIMES, it was okay. But now, don't trust women to decide what legal medical care is best for them.

"I do not believe the No. 1 problem confronting African-Americans is racism," Parker told the audience. "I believe the No. 1 challenge confronting African-Americans is sexual immorality."

Abortion and AIDS are what threatens African-American communities, Parker said.

Do we really need to go on to show how unhinged this women is? Okay, there is more.

A question about the shooting death of Wichita abortion provider George Tiller led Parker to say that accused killer Scott Roeder illustrated the hopelessness among those who oppose abortion.

"I believe we are creating an environment where people are going to feel threatened," Parker said.

She compared Roeder to Nat Turner, who led an uprising against slavery in the 1831 uprising that left 55 people dead.

"It's also just as horrible to treat this man as a hero," she said of Tiller.

Parker compared abortion to slavery and the Holocaust.

"God will answer this, just as he did with slavery and the Holocaust," she said. "Then he will let history take over and your grandchildren will ask, 'What did you do about it?'"

To compare a legal medical procedure to the Holocaust is just wrong! The killing of millions of Jews, gays, gypsies, and other "undesirables" is nothing like having a safe, legal, medical procedure.

geez, now I'm just pissed!

Coming Soon - Who's Who

2009-10-04T20:24:00.003-05:00

We've been pulling together all the information we can find on the anti-choice folks attending Roeder's court appearances, backing him, and giving him information on Dr. Tiller's location (that's you Cheryl). Soon we'll be exposing these terrorists and terrorist supporters to the light. Keep watching!

We're Now On Facebook

2009-10-04T17:04:00.002-05:00

Roeder Watch is now on facebook. Send us a friend request and we'll gladly approve you. Just another way to stay informed with what is going on.

Deadline set for Roeder case motions

2009-10-04T12:46:00.002-05:00

The Wichita Eagle reports that Judge Wilbert has set a November 13th deadline for filing pretrial motions. December 9 and 10 have been set aside for hearings on any motions that may be filed.

Army of God chastises churches for having Dr. Tiller

2009-09-27T15:25:00.006-05:00

Donald Spitz is at it again. He sent a letters to Reformation Lutheran Church -- for "allowing" Dr. Tiller to serve as usher -- and College Hill United Methodist Church for hosting Dr. Tiller's funeral. According to the Kansas City Star, Spitz also sent the letters to Scott Roeder.

“You’re supposed to bring your brother to repentance, not accept what they’re doing,” he said. “It’d be no different than if you knew someone was a thief in your congregation and you just welcomed him in and didn’t say anything to him whatsoever.”

About Reformation Lutheran, Spitz had this to say (of what was published, that is):

"Why would you allow a babykilling abortionist like George Tiller to serve as an usher in your church without informing him his eternal soul was at stake for the sins he was committing?"

You "have failed in your responsibility towards the position He has placed you in and have brought damnation onto yourselves," Spitz told the pastors.

And in a phone interview with Judy Thomas:

"If Reformation Lutheran Church had done its job and brought George Tiller to repentance, he would be alive and the babies he killed would be alive ... But George Tiller received his just reward, and Reformation Lutheran Church is to blame for his blood, and the blood of the children he murdered is on their hands."

This is the typical view of anti-choice zealots. It's not *their* fault Dr. Tiller died. It's his church's fault, his family's fault, his friend's fault; it's Nola Foulston's and Paul Morrison's fault for not fully prosecuting him for his "crimes"; and, most importantly, it's Dr. Tiller's fault. If he hadn't been providing this service to women, he wouldn't have been murdered.

But that's not how the world works. No matter how unpopular your job or life is, so long as it's legal, no one deserves to be mistreated, let alone die for doing their job.

Spitz also sent a letter to CHUM, saying "Instead of standing up as a servant of the Lord and speaking out against this mass murderer, you have praised him as being a Christian, which is blasphemous."

Roeder trial moved to January 11th

2009-09-24T10:42:00.003-05:00

Scott Roeder's trial has been moved up to January 11th, according to the AP

WICHITA, Kan. - The trial of the man accused in the killing of Wichita abortion provider George Tiller has been rescheduled to Jan. 11.

The Sedgwick County District Attorney's office announced the new date Wednesday. Scott Roeder's trial had previously been scheduled to begin Jan. 25.

Roeder is accused of shooting Tiller on May 31 as the doctor was ushering during Sunday morning services at his Wichita church.

The 51-year-old suspect is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault.

Todd Tiahrt and Scott Roeder

2009-09-18T20:39:00.007-05:00

Earlier, we reported (briefly) that Todd Tiahrt had sent a Senate campaign letter to Scott Roeder at an old address. Steve Kraske of the Kansas City Star reports a campaign spokesman said “Oh great … We’ll make the vendor aware of it.”

My Commitment to:

Mr. Scott Roeder
Overland Park, KS

Halting moral decay in America is imperative and will be a top priority during my service in the United States Senate. I pledge to you to fight for the rights of the unborn, for traditional marriage, and to allow blocking trash on the Internet and in the media.

I will oppose the ACLU and those who wish to remove “In God We Trust” from currency and as our national motto, the 10 Commandments from our courthouses, Boy Scouts from public facilities, and “Under God” from our Pledge of Allegiance.

Congressman Todd Tiahrt

Boy Scouts, the 10 Commandments, traditional marriage, a clean internet, In God We Trust, and Scott Roeder, all things Todd Tiahrt is committed to.

Click the image to see it full-sized:

Operation Rescue desperate for money. Or not.

2009-09-18T17:06:00.007-05:00

Monday night, Operation Rescue sent out a fundraising letter that, among other things, admitted Dr. George Tiller’s death cost them money.

You see, this summer has been brutal for Operation Rescue. Not only did George Tiller's death throw everybody in the pro-life movement for a loop (and especially us), but the economic crisis our nation is suffering from has brought our financial support to nearly a halt.

We're now so broke (as the saying goes), we can't even pay attention.

Seriously. We struggle to pay every bill. I had to borrow money just to send you this letter[.]

Troy Newman told The Associated Press they’ve cut back their staff from 9 to 4 employees in the last year and that they typically operate with a $600,000 budget but donations are down 30-40% this year. According to their 990s through 2006, Operation Rescue’s largest year was 2005 when they used Terri Schiavo’s name to rake in $500,000. The Pitch points out that in 2007, Newman sent out a fundraising letter insisting they were several thousand dollars in the hole and about to close, which is only slightly different than this time.

Thursday, Newman made the anti-choice media rounds announcing the AP article he was interviewed for exaggerated, their demise is ”grossly overrated,” and on their Twitter account, fundraising letter went out two weeks ago but the email was delayed. You see, they received an overwhelming amount of support from their donors so the doors are staying open. After all, “in the next 30 days, we're planning to launch the most ambitious and most significant project in our entire history.” They’re really upset the media is reporting on their email, not on their work. I’m still trying to figure out what the hell their work is that costs $600,000 a year. Harassment is expensive, yo.

The “pro-life” movement continues to distance itself from Roeder. Obviously, finding convicted domestic terrorist Cheryl Sullenger’s name and phone number in Roeder’s car doesn’t make Operation Rescue look very good. At first, she denied contact and later admitted it. Roeder insists he has donated thousands to Operation Rescue, though Newman has denied this saying he can’t find Roeder’s name in their database of 50,000 donors. LifeNews.com referred to Roeder as a “militia activist” as if the militia doesn’t have anti-abortion beliefs. OneNewsNow.com doesn’t even report on Roeder though does quote Newman as saying Dr. Tiller’s death was not the public relations nightmare the AP made it out to be. Though having ties to Shelley Shannon and Paul Hill (while he was here for Shannon’s trial) along with having a convicted domestic terrorist on staff might have damaged their reputation long before Roeder called Sullenger so he could better stalk Dr. Tiller.

There remains little doubt Operation Rescue played a part in Roeder’s decision and ability to assassinate Dr. George Tiller. A federal investigation was announced in June though we haven’t heard anything about that one yet. Several Wichitans are protesting outside Operation Rescue’s headquarters, a former abortion clinic they falsely claim to have closed, to remind them of their part in this heinous crime and for the years of harassment they volleyed at Women’s Health Care Services and its employees over the years.

As for Roeder, his trial has been postponed until January. That gives him plenty of time to further incriminate himself in the media.

Also of interest, Representative Todd Tiahrt sent out a mass fundraising request for his Senate campaign. It talks about fighting “for the right of the unborn”. Who was it addressed to? Scott Roeder, of course! Stay classy, Republicans!

Scott Roeder's trial to be delayed until January.

2009-09-18T13:11:00.005-05:00

The Wichita Eagle is reporting Scott Roeder's trial is indeed postponed.

WICHITA — Scott Roeder, the man charged with killing a Wichita abortion doctor, won't go to trial until at least next year, the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office said this morning.

Roeder was scheduled to go on trial Monday, charged with first-degree murder in the May shooting death of George Tiller.

Roeder's new trial date has been set for Jan. 25, 2010.

Tiller was shot to death inside Reformation Lutheran Church, where he was serving as an usher, on the last Sunday in May.

Late-term abortion procedures at Tiller's clinic had made him a longtime target of protests by abortion opponents.

Trial to Be Delayed

2009-09-17T15:13:00.002-05:00

The Wichita Eagle just posted this report that Scott Roeder's trial will in fact be delayed.

WICHITA, Kan. - The trial of the man accused of killing abortion provider George Tiller is expected to be continued to a later date.

Fifty-one-year-old Scott Roeder is scheduled to go to trial Monday on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault in the May 31 shooting at Tiller's church.

Georgia Cole, spokeswoman for the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office, said on Thursday that attorneys in the case are working to set a new trial date.

Defense attorney Mark Rudy could not be immediately reached Thursday, but he said two weeks ago he would be asking for a continuance.

We Knew It Was Coming

2009-09-17T09:23:00.005-05:00

It was only a matter of time before someone supporting Roeder posted a comment. Armored Saint posted a comment calling Roeder an American Hero. Okay, we're done laughing. The Army of God "signature" sums this comment up.

Trial Schedule Update

2009-09-15T15:52:00.002-05:00

Just checked at the courthouse. Trial is still set for the 21st. More than one source tells us it will be continued (as expected). Looks like they are just waiting until the last minute for it happen.

Why No Death Penalty?

2009-09-12T14:01:00.004-05:00

Serena at Feminists For Choice asked Wednesday, "Should Scott Roeder Face the Death Penalty?" As she noted, under Kansas law the death penalty is not an option in Roeder's case. Why not? He committed a terrorist act, isn't that enough? Simply put, none of the criteria are met.

In Kansas to be charged with capital murder a person must commit an intentional and premeditated murder that also meet one of seven qualifying factors:

(1) during a kidnapping for ransom,
(2) Contract or agreement to kill someone,
(3) By an inmate in a correctional facility,
(4) during the course of certain sex crimes such as rape,
(5) of a law enforcement officer,
(6) of more than one person, or
(7) child under 14 during a kidnapping with the intent to commit a sex offense.

Since none of the factors are applicable, Roeder was charged with first degree as opposed to capital murder. What do you think? If it were possible, should Roeder receive a death sentence? Post a comment and let us know what you think.

Justifiable Homicide? (Part 2)

2009-09-12T13:30:00.007-05:00

We've previously talked about the statute governing defense of another (i.e. justifiable homicide in Kansas). A plain reading of the statute is clear that Scott Roeder will not be able to claim he was defending the "unborn" as justification for his assassination of Dr. Tiller. Beyond the plain reading of the statute, Kansas Supreme Court opinions on the statute leave no doubt that this "defense" has no merit.

The first thing we have to know is that there are very few cases where "defense of a third party" is asserted in the appellate opinions. More often, it is a claim of self defense. The standard is the same however and appellate opinions on both are applicable here.

There are two inquires that must be made:

The first inquiry examines a defendant's subjective belief and requires evidence indicating that the defendant honestly and sincerely believed it would be necessary to kill [to protect a third party] because of an aggressor's imminent use of unlawful force. The second inquiry is objective and requires evidence showing that a reasonable person in the defendant's situation would have perceived the necessity of killing [to protect a third party]. State v. Walters, 284 Kan. Syl. 3, 159 P.3d 174 (2007).

Under this legal standard, Roeder has no chance of claiming "justifiable homicide."

Look at the subjective portion. For our purposes we'll grant Roeder an "honest and sincere" belief that he had to kill to protect a third party. But even under the subjective portion of test (the part that should be the easiest for a defendant to meet) Roeder has problems.

1. Dr. Tiller would have to have been an aggressor for this to even apply. Passing out the church bulletin on Sunday morning is hardly an aggressive act.

2. Dr. Tiller was not using "unlawful force." He was passing out bulletins in his church. Even if we, as the defense will no doubt argue, make this about abortion - it's not unlawful. In fact, that is the very problem Roeder and his fellow terrorists have is that it is lawful!

3. Finally, there was nothing imminent. Dr. Tiller was not in his clinic. He was not with a patient.

Even if Roeder could get past the subjective portion of the test, the objective portion would deny him his bully pulpit. A "reasonable person" (that is the average guy on the street, not the average terrorist) would never perceive that killing was necessary in this case.

The long and the short of it, we can't see any legal way that Judge Wilbert can allow this defense to be argued. Oh, Roeder's fellow terrorists will claim judicial activism, that the D.A. bought off the judge, and kinds of other idiocy. But, in truth the law will simply prevail over terrorist activity!

Roeder Linked to Operation Rescue

2009-09-12T10:00:00.005-05:00

Rachel Maddow lays out the link between Scott Roeder and Operation Rescue.

Court Filings

2009-09-12T09:22:00.003-05:00

The Sedgwick County District Attorney's office has set up a webpage with at least some of the filings in the case. Right now they have copies of the media order (.tif) and the complaint (pdf).

Trial Date

2009-09-09T22:49:00.001-05:00

We checked with the court today and the trial is still set for September 21. They still expect it to be continued. Unclear if it will go to trial the end of this year or early next year.

The Forgotten Victims

2009-09-06T17:11:00.004-05:00

When we think of of the victims Scott Roeder has left behind we remember Dr. George Tiller and his family. Many of us also think of the women who now have less ability to obtain legal medical care they need. But we often forget a group who are injured just as much - Scott Roeder's family.

Neither Roeder's ex-wife nor his son asked to be drug into this. To be questioned by the FBI. To have people wonder if you're like him or could you have prevented his terrorist activity. We can only imagine what they go through on a daily basis. They are the lost victims in all of this. The ones people don't think about but who have been hurt just as truly and deeply as any other.

So, when you say your prayers tonight, include Roeder's family. They deserve our support too.

Insanity Defense? (Part1)

2009-09-05T08:32:00.005-05:00

We've been asked about the possibility of Scott Roeder using an "insanity defense." For reasons we'll explain in part 2 we don't think this is likely.

In Kansas the "insanity defense" has been replaced with "mental disease or defect." A person found "not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect" is not released back into society (at least not immediately) but is instead committed to the State Security Hospital in Larned.

We'll get the law and post more specifics in Part 2.

Justifiable Homicide? (Part 1)

2009-09-04T14:38:00.006-05:00

There has been a lot of talk about whether Scott Roeder will try to use a “justifiable homicide” defense in his case. It’s a pretty safe bet that is what he’ll try, the question is can he.

Kansas does not have “justifiable homicide” per se. Kansas Statute Annotated (K.S.A.) 21-3211 provides for use of force in defense of a person. The statute states, in relevant part:

(a) A person is justified in the use of force against another when and to the extent it appears to such person and such person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to defend such person or a third person against such other’s imminent use of unlawful force.

(b) A person is justified in the use of deadly force under circumstances described in subsection (a) if such person reasonably believes deadly force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to such person or a third person.

What this means for Scott Roeder is that to claim he was defending a third person from Dr. George Tiller he will have to be able to establish:

1. That he reasonably believed that the use of force was necessary;
2. That he reasonably believed that he had to use deadly force;
3. That had he not used deadly force, there would have been imminent death or great bodily harm by Dr. Tiller to a third person.

That all seems straight forward, and to Roeder’s terrorist brethren it’s a clear case. But, when you look at the law in Kansas and how the statute is legally applied, it’s not what they claim. We’ll look at the specifics of a third part defense in part 2.

Alan Combs talks to Dave Leach and Roeder's ex-wife calls in

2009-09-02T15:55:00.004-05:00

Right Wing Watch ran a story today where Alan Combs talked to Dave Leach about justifiable homicide. Listening to Leach, I'm very confused (reading his "brief" confused me greatly; I thought I was from another planet). Apparently, finding Roeder not guilty will prevent further abortion providers'. Umm, yea.

Leach says he supports damaging abortion clinics. No, wait, he thinks it's "a good idea to save lives", and Scott Roeder's actions were "the proper thing". But he wrote the brief to preserve Roeder's right to a trial by jury (which hasn't been selected yet). He's "sorry it has to be done that way," stopping abortion through murder, but he doesn't support people going out and killing providers. Below are some quotes. I've taken out Colmes' parts. He kept asking why a successful necessity defense wouldn't make it easier to go out and kill other providers.

"Nothing can be more illegal than what courts have done to keep abortion legal. They've denied the right to trial by jury in a hundred thousand abortion prevention cases, and I'd like that to come to a stop. In Scott's case."

A hundred thousand? Is he talking about FACE violations? Guess that means trying to ensure women have access to health care means those trying to stop them have been denied a right to trial by jury. I wonder how many of those hundred thousand plead guilty to lesser charges ...

"If this brief prevails, no one will ever have a reason to shoot another abortionist. Because if the necessity defense is allowed to go to the jury, if the judge breaks down and tells the jury the only contested issue of the trial -- which is the necessity defense -- it'll be easy for people in the future to shut down abortion clinics by just sitting in front of their doors without fear of arrest."

Again, he seems to be talking about FACE violations. I'm not certain how finding murder acceptable would suddenly overturn a federal law protecting women's health care centers.

"It might not go that way. If the judge does give the defense to the jury, the jury might say 'well, you know, abortion is a harm, a terrible harm, but it's not harmful enough to justify killing an abortionist.'"

Most people believe this as is. But this would put the abortion provider, not their accussed killer, on trial.

"There's two reasons. The second reason is if Scott actually is found innocent by the jury, that does not mean that anyone else who does the same thing will be found innocent. If he is found innocent--"

"If the only reason that a jury would find Scott innocent, that's after they are given the defense, would be because they find Tiller's abortions are much more heinous than other abortionists. Normally, I wouldn't expect a jury to find it justified to kill an abortionist -- that's pretty extreme. Tiller's cases are pretty extreme, too. He's probably the most notorious abortionist in the country."

So it's all Dr. Tiller's fault. And he deserved it.

Later, Roeder's ex-wife, Lindsey Roeder, called the show. She had heard Leach would be on, was listening, and had to call in. Colmes was not expecting this! She was less than pleased with Leach even going so far as to say she hopes she never meets him (you and me both!). She called just to say Roeder is getting a trial by jury (it just hasn't happened yet). Also interesting is her saying she didn't feel comfortable saying she's pro-choice until he was locked up, and she's still a little iffy about it now.

She did say, and this has been said repeatedly, that Roeder suffered from a mental illness. Early in their relationship, he was quite the average guy. But at some point, he started giving their living funds to a televangelist. He became obsessed with sending money to this man and at some point blamed taxes and the government for their lack of money. From here, he began getting involved in radical movements. This is not what makes one insane. An irrational jump in logic is not the only hallmark of mental illness. I am not a psychologist of any stripe, but unwilling to take responsibility for your actions seems to be a quite human trait. If bad reasoning and lack of responsibility qualified one as "mentally ill," everyone would be at one point or another. When one sees themselves as "sane," it's quite easy to see someone else as "insane". It's just one way we use to make ourselves feel like we could never carry out the same actions.

But I digress. Definitely take the time to listen to her call.

Roeder tries to get a new attorney while his Bible group proclaims his innocence

2009-09-01T19:34:00.005-05:00

As we knew was coming, Scott Roeder is trying to turn his trial into a stage for his belief that killing abortion providers is justifiable homicide. He's not just weighing it, but he has written to Paul Hill's attorney, Michael Hirsh, to represent him. Hirsh, for his part, is debating it. He previously represented Regina Dinwiddie, notorious Kansas City-area anti-choice protester. Upon hearing of Dr. Tiller's death, Dinwiddie said she was "glad".

We've known Scott Roeder was part of the Sovereign Citizen Movement which has connections with the Montana Freemen and Christian Identity. But new information has emerged regarding his religious practices. Roeder identified as a Messianic Jew. This is why he instructed his son to call Jesus "Yeshua". Probably why he had no problem stalking a man in church, shooting him, and then threaten two other men. Another reason he didn't belong to a church is because religious groups recognized by the government are corrupted. Which is why he left Or HaOlam Messianic Congregation in Overland Park several years ago.

Roeder's former roommate, Tim Parks, disagreed with Roeder's theology (describing it as "plucked from air"), but believe Roeder is being framed by the government. And Roeder's beliefs were plucked from air? We're all for innocent until proven guilty, but being framed by the government? Really?

Another of Roeder's roommates, Michael Clayman, said Roeder often talked about justified homicide. He also says Roeder wants to use the courtroom as a stage for his beliefs.

When someone says murder is okay, it's time to report them. When does wishful thinking turn into murderous action?

Also of interest: Abortion Stigma Affects Doctors' Training And Choices. But not a terrorist, right?

E-Mail Your Questions

2009-08-22T12:24:00.002-05:00

Have a question about the law in Kansas? Want to know more about the parties in the case? You can now reach us by E-mail. We'll try and answer your questions here (or via a private reply when appropriate). Fair warning, if you send hate mail, don't be surprised to see it and your E-mail address posted publicly!

"Prayer & Action News" publisher hopes to free Roeder

2009-08-19T18:03:00.003-05:00

From RH Reality Check and the Iowa Independent, Dave Leach has prepared a proposed brief in defense of Scott Roeder's actions when he assassinated Dr. George Tiller.

The mindset behind it is the one that drives anti-choice extremists to vandalize and destroy buildings, stalk clinic employees and pro-choice activists, and kill abortion providers: taking a life is wrong, of course, but it saved lives so was necessary. This defense hedges upon Roeder admitting he killed Dr. Tiller (which he has all but said), and while others have tried to use it to justify their killing of abortion providers, it has never been allowed in court because abortion is legal. In fact, restricting a woman's access to abortion is a federal crime under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, or FACE, Act. It is this law, designed to protect clinics and patients, that Roeder routinely flaunted and that the FBI did not follow up on in the weeks leading up to Dr. Tiller's death.

Shelley Shannon had tried to use this defense when she shot Dr. Tiller in 1993. It was not allowed in court, and she was not allowed to bring up abortion.

Abortion is an emotional issue, and I for one am glad it isn't brought up, justified, or demonized in a trial dealing with the murder of a health care provider. Abortion isn't on trial: Scott Roeder's actions are.

We're on Twitter

2009-08-15T16:48:00.001-05:00

You can now follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Roeder_Watch

Articles of interest -- 8/10/09

2009-08-10T17:46:00.004-05:00

Today, Judy Thomas at the Kansas City Star published an interesting story on Roeder's visitors. RH Reality Check had some analysis of the article.

Feminists For Choice posted an article from the preliminary hearing. A couple of other feminist blogs have picked up that Roeder's hearing was attended by anti-choice terrorists (and, according to the KC Star article this morning, convicted anti-choice terrorists).

Scott Roeder had his first appearance

2009-06-03T17:00:00.002-05:00

Scott P. Roeder appeared in court today, via closed-circuit TV for his first appearance. His first appearance was standard in that it took only a few minutes to advise Roeder of the charges against him and to determine if he needed/wanted appointed counsel.

Roeder did request counsel and the public defender's office has been appointed to represent him. We've learned that Chief Public Defender Steve Osborne will represent Roeder, no word yet if a second attorney will be assigned but we would expect so given the nature of this case.

Roeder's preliminary hearing is set for June 16th but as anyone who knows the system and how major cases move, it will be continued.