Fifty-two-year-old Scott Roeder, who has been convicted of first degree murder in the May 2009 shooting of abortion provider George Tiller, will receive a mandatory minimum life sentence at his sentencing hearing Thursday morning, Reuters reports (Gilliam, Reuters, 4/1).
In his testimony during the trial, Roeder was "unapologetic" that he stalked Tiller and waited for an opportunity for the shooting, according to NPR's "Morning Edition." Although prosecutors initially planned to seek a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years, they are now expected to ask for a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 50 years. Michael Kaye, a professor of law at Washburn University, said, "The judge is going to have to weigh whatever evidence [Roeder] brings against the aggravating factors," such as the admitted stalking. He added that such factors were "clearly established" in Roeder's testimony.
Abortion-rights supporters say the stiffer sentence is essential to deter antiabortion activists who might contemplate violence against abortion providers. Vicki Saporta, president of the National Abortion Federation, said, "This was, in many ways, a hate crime," adding that "those who are contemplating a similar crime need to understand that they will not get away with it and that they will spend the rest of their lives in prison" (Lohr, "Morning Edition," NPR, 4/1).
Several antiabortion-rights activists who are friends with Roeder say he has asked them to testify at the sentencing hearing as character witnesses (Hegeman, AP/Google News, 4/1). Potential witnesses include activists who say they share Roeder's view that the killing of an abortion provider is justifiable homicide (Thomas, Kansas City Star, 3/31). Judge Warren Wilbert will decide at the sentencing whether the character witnesses will be allowed to testify (AP/Google News, 4/1). According to "Morning Edition," some observers of the case doubt that the testimony of character witnesses would help Roeder avoid the 50-year sentence ("Morning Edition," NPR, 4/1).
Murder Has Continued Effect on Abortion Care
The AP/Google News notes that because of Tiller's murder, "[i]t is now markedly harder in Kansas to get an abortion." Tiller's Wichita clinic has not reopened, and there are no providers offering late abortion services in Kansas. The state Legislature is considering measures designed to make it more difficult for providers to offer late abortion care in the state. Abortion provider LeRoy Carhart said Wednesday he still hopes to open a clinic in Kansas that would offer abortion later in pregnancy.
Saporta said, "Dr. Tiller's death was a devastating loss to the provider community and his family, but he was so admired and respected that his death has inspired medical students and providers to recommit themselves to providing women with the abortion care that they need" (Hegeman, AP/Google News, 3/31).
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