Not guilty plea in abortion doctor’s death

July 29, 2009|Associated Press

WICHITA - An antiabortion activist pleaded not guilty yesterday to opening fire on late-term abortion provider George Tiller after a witness gave chilling testimony that he saw the alleged shooter point a gun at the Kansas doctor’s head before pulling the trigger.

Scott Roeder, 51, is accused of threatening two ushers who tried to stop him during the May 31 shooting in the foyer of Tiller’s church.

Roeder, dressed in a jacket and tie but shackled at his ankles, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated assault charges after witnesses described seeing him shoot Tiller and speed away from the church. Roeder’s public defender entered the plea on Roeder’s behalf and the Kansas City, Mo., man did not speak during the hearing.

If convicted, Roeder is likely to face life in prison. Prosecutors have said they will not pursue the death penalty, and Roeder would be eligible for parole after 25 years.

Tiller had been the target of relentless protests at his Wichita clinic, where he practiced as one of the nation’s few providers of late-term abortions. He was shot in both arms by an antiabortion activist in 1993.

A judge ordered Roeder held on $20 million bond and set a trial date for Sept. 21.