Lawyers for suspect in killing of Kansas abortion provider seek change of venue from Wichita
By APThursday, November 12, 2009
Lawyers want new location for Kan. abortion trial
WICHITA, Kan. — Lawyers for a man who has publicly admitted killing a Kansas abortion provider are seeking to move the trial out of Wichita.
Scott Roeder is scheduled to go on trial Jan. 11 in Sedgwick County District Court. The 51-year-old Kansas City, Mo., man is charged with first-degree murder in the May 31 shooting death of Dr. George Tiller.
In an interview Monday from jail, Roeder told The Associated Press he had no regrets about shooting Tiller and believes it was justified to save unborn children.
Roeder’s public defenders filed a motion for a change of venue on Tuesday.
They argue that potential jurors have been subject to such vast pretrial publicity that it becomes “legal fiction” to assume jurors will presume Roeder innocent.
A hearing on the matter is set for Dec. 22.
