Dr. Tiller's Murderer "pleads not guilty"

[armyowalgreens]

(CNN) -- A Kansas judge on Tuesday ordered an anti-abortion activist to stand trial in the death of a Wichita doctor who was gunned down at his church.

Scott Roeder, 51, pleaded not guilty after being bound over to trial on charges of first-degree murder in the death of Dr. George Tiller, who ran a women's clinic in which he performed abortions. Tiller was shot to death May 31 as services began at Reformation Lutheran Church. Roeder also faces two charges of aggravated assault for threatening church members Gary Hoepner and Keith Martin.

Sedgwick County Judge Warren Wilbert scheduled Roeder's trial for September 21.

During a preliminary hearing Tuesday, Gary Hoepner, an usher and 52-year member of the church, testified he was talking with Tiller before services when a man walked up to them, "put a gun right up to George's head and shot it."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/28/kansas.doctor.killed/index.html


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He won't get off. The evidence doesn't indicate that he will be found not guilty by reason of insanity. It seems that he was acting on a clear objective and was thinking rationally at the time of the murder.

If he continues to claim innocence, he will most likely be a candidate for capital punishment.

[geek_sabre]

1. Its his right to plead not guilty

Its the duty of the state to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

I believe he would very much like becoming a martyr, can't do that by pleading out.

[armyowalgreens]

2. I disagree. A martyr would plead out and declare victory...

[merwin]

5. A martyr would plead not guilty and take the death penalty because they think

that it will further their cause.

He is no martyr... he's just a supreme idiot.

[armyowalgreens]

6. hmmm I guess that's a good point.

[petersjo02]

3. In this instance,

it should be "innocence" instead of innocent.

[armyowalgreens]

4. Thanks. Typo corrected.