By Peter J. Smith
WICHITA, Kansas, June 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Scott P. Roeder entered a plea Tuesday of “not guilty” for the slaying of Kansas late-term abortionist George Tiller. The accused faces a charge of first degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault.
Sedgwick County District Judge Warren Wilbert ordered Roeder held on $20 million bail, and set a trial date for September 21.
Roeder, 51, stands accused of gunning down Tiller in the foyer of the Reformation Lutheran Church and threatening two other men with a pistol before fleeing the scene of the crime. Members of Tiller's church took down Roeder's license plate and informed authorities. Three hours later, Sherriff's deputies intercepted Roeder, who surrendered to them without incident and was taken back to Wichita for questioning.
In the aftermath of Tiller's murder, information surfaced that revealed Roeder had a history of severe mental instability, and had fallen under the influence of violent fringe groups. These groups included the anarchist “Freeman” movement, as well as an anti-abortion group that styles itself the “Army of God” and advocates domestic terror, violence, and murder against abortionists and their employees.
For years, Roeder had been suffering with schizophrenia, and his obsession with abortion had brought him into contact with extreme anti-abortion activists, who adopt an “ends justify the means” ethic toward abortion, rejecting the moral values of the pro-life community. Roeder had fallen in step with the ideology of the Army of God movement, which claims the murder of abortion providers constitutes “justifiable homicide” and praises the murderers of abortionists as “American heroes” on its website.
Preliminary reports from law enforcement indicate that Tiller's murderer acted alone. The investigation, however, continues to examine Roeder's background and activities. In the last several years leading up to Tiller's assassination, the mentally disturbed Roeder expressed more violent agitation and a belief that divine wrath would befall the United States unless Tiller were stopped.
Operation Rescue, the Wichita-based leader of prayerful protests outside Tiller's facility, was quick to point out that Roeder is “not affiliated with this organization.”
“Scott Roeder has never been a member, contributor, or volunteer with Operation Rescue,” OR president Troy Newman said in a statement, explaining, “The pro-life ethic is to value all human life from the moment of conception until natural death.”
Tiller was unsuccessfully prosecuted for violating Kansas laws against late-term abortions without having the necessary legal justifications. However, OR pointed out that Tiller was under investigation by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts for the same charges at the time of his death, and was likely to lose his license, which would have shut down his abortion business.
Pro-life organizations nationwide issued statements condemning the killing of Tiller in the immediate aftermath.
According to jail interviews with the Kansas City Star, the incarcerated Roeder stated that he had embraced the idea of justifiable homicide back in 1992, but admitted that very few agreed with him, saying he guessed only one or two percent, and of those who did agree, “Nobody was willing to do anything about it.”
If convicted, Roeder will face a sentence of 25 years to life for Tiller's murder.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
A Portrait of an Alleged Murderer: The Life of Suspected Tiller Killer Scott Roeder
Kansas Late-Term Abortionist George Tiller Shot and Killed – Pro-Life Groups React
U.S. Bishops Express 'Profound Regret' about Shooting Death of Abortion Doctor
UK, American, Canadian Pro-Life Groups Condemn Tiller Murder