Man in doctor's killing doing mailings

Published: Friday, July 3, 2009 9:30 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

WICHITA, Kan. — A man charged with shooting a prominent Kansas doctor who performed late-term abortions has been advocating through mailings from his jail cell that such killings are justifiable and communicating with individuals on the fringes of the anti-abortion movement, weeks after suggesting others might be planning similar attacks.

Scott Roeder, 51, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in the May 31 death of Dr. George Tiller — an attack that reignited the national debate over late-term abortion and gave Roeder icon status among extremists in the anti-abortion movement.

From his cell in Sedgwick County jail, Roeder has been sending anti-abortion pamphlets that laud Paul Hill, who was convicted of murdering an abortion provider in 1994, as an "American hero," and include examples of Hill's writings about how the killing of abortion providers is justifiable.

Hill was executed in 2003 for killing Dr. John Bayard Britton and his bodyguard outside a Pensacola, Fla., abortion clinic.

Roeder has also been corresponding with Rev. Donald Spitz — whose Army of God group's Web site celebrates Hill and who says he sent Roeder seven of the pamphlets at Roeder's request — and Linda Wolfe, an Oregon activist who has been jailed about 50 times for anti-abortion activities and who is close friends with a woman convicted of shooting Tiller in the arms in 1993. She says Roeder mailed her one of the pamphlets.

Story continues below

No one has accused Roeder of breaking any laws because of his jailhouse correspondence. But local and federal law enforcement agencies took seriously a threat Roeder made during a June 7 interview with The Associated Press that there are "many other similar events planned around the country as long as abortion remains legal." A judge raised Roeder's bond to $20 million, citing his comment to the AP, after a prosecutor argued Roeder's ability to get his message widely disseminated should lead a reasonable person to believe he is engaged in "alleged acts of American terrorism."

FBI and Justice Department officials declined to comment about whether they were concerned about Roeder's jailhouse contacts. The Sedgwick County public defender's office, which is representing Roeder, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. And the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office declined to speak about the matter.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Robert Hinshaw said he has assigned a trusted person to read all of Roeder's incoming and outgoing mail. He said Roeder has received about 100 letters.

Recent comments

8:26

Are you suggesting the murder of a law abiding citizen is...

SUGGESTING | July 4, 2009 at 11:52 p.m.

His agenda is once again being challenged.

Poor Obama | July 4, 2009 at 9:43 a.m.

Why is the government worried about a jailed man committing acts of...

Digbads | July 4, 2009 at 8:26 a.m.

Image
Associated Press

Scott Roeder

previousnext

Latest comments

Letters: Selfish agendas

Unlike you, "their" implies both democrats and republicans. Unlike you, I...

I think its really irresponsible to take scouts there.

In 2003 and 2004, I visited every residence in Clearfield City twice in my...

Korver's return hits snag

I have cringed everytime he gets the ball for the past two years, but can't...

As one of Jane's many friends, I want to tell you how much I loved this...

Hall will choke again. He has no composure. A little pressure and he gets...

The only way BwhineU wins 10 games this season is if they win their bowl...

Guess this writer is living in fantasy land. LaVelle wanted the darker blue...

Much unknown about warming

Sorry to burst your bubble. New York, New Orleans and Los Angeles would not...

Cougs to host Weber St.

No way WSU is good enough to beat BYU in provo this year, and I'm a WSU fan....

Advertisements