Scott Roeder: George Tiller Murder Suspect Charged (PHOTO)

WICHITA, Kan. — The man charged in the killing of abortion provider Dr. George Tiller wants a judge to set bail, even though court records show the suspect has little money and checkered employment.

Scott Roeder, 51, is charged with first-degree murder in Sunday's fatal shooting of Tiller at a Wichita church. He has been held without bail.

In a motion filed Wednesday in Sedgwick County District Court, public defender Steve Osburn cited Kansas law saying bond should be granted for defendants charged with non-capital crimes.

Kansas law requires that special circumstances exist for a defendant to be eligible for the death penalty. Such circumstances include the killing of a law officer, more than one person or a victim kidnapped for ransom or rape, or killed in murder for hire. Prosecutors said the Tiller murder case doesn't qualify.

Sedgwick County District Judge Ben Burgess told The Wichita Eagle he had ordered Roeder held without bail "as a discretionary decision taking public safety into account."

A hearing on the defense motion is scheduled Friday.

Roeder, who was living most recently in Kansas City, Mo., has only scant resources, according to a financial affidavit he signed in requesting a court-appointed lawyer.

He listed $10 in a bank account and his 1993 Ford Taurus as his only property.

The affidavit listed total monthly bills of nearly $470, mostly for rent, and monthly pay of $1,100 working at Quicksilver Airport Delivery _ his fourth job in six months. Other recent jobs were at convenience stores in Kansas City and nearby Shawnee, Kan.

Comments

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Why didn't they charge him with terrorism like they did the Black guy who shot the soldiers? The state clamed that the terrorism charge was because he fired his weapon where there were other people.

There were a lot of people in that charge.

[NickConrad]

These charges understate the crime.

[smca]

Roeder acted alone like a suicide bomber acts alone.

[Albertmum]

How darn nice of them. Now that they've accomplished what they set out to do, take this poor man's life, they have the nerve to say: "In reverence for the family in this time of tragedy we have absolutely no plans for further pro-life activity in this city at this time," Operation Rescue president Troy Newman said.' Absolutely amazing.
I don't believe in god but I hope that when all these whackjobs get to where ever they go at the end, their 'god' says no admittance, you're going to the other place cause you took a life (or assisted), and that's not your place to do so.

[Kassandra]

She's the only one covering this in depth that I can find. The terrorists have come home

Rachel on Tiller Murder and the Anti Abortion Terrorist Movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBlGtpheuIE

Murder of George Tiller: Rachel Maddow interviews Frank Schaeffer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3yoOG8EzAc