WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — 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.—-Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at [email protected]