January 29, 2010

CHICAGO – A Kansas jury convicted Scott Roeder of first-degree murder Jan. 29. Roeder gunned down Dr. George Tiller, a member of Reformation Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kan., in the church foyer before a worship service May 31. Tiller was one of few physicians in the United States who performed late-term abortions and was often targeted by anti-abortion protests. Reformation is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Roeder testified that he shot Tiller to protect unborn children. He said he had no regrets in killing Tiller.

Members of Reformation testified that they had seen Roeder at church several times before the day he shot Tiller at point-blank range in the head.

Roeder, 51, Kansas City, Mo., faces life in prison.

After the verdict was announced Jeanne Tiller, George's widow, and the Tiller family released a statement through their attorneys. The family thanked the jury, the district attorney's (DA) office, law enforcement, and George Tiller's friends and supporters who offered comfort to the family.

"At this time we hope that George can be remembered for his legacy of service to women, the help he provided for those who needed it and the love and happiness he provided us as a husband, father and grandfather," the family statement said.

The Rev. Kristin M. Neitzel, associate pastor, Reformation Lutheran Church, was in the courtroom with the Tiller family when the verdict was announced.

"There's a sense of relief and gratitude for the way that the DA's office handled everything, was supportive of us all and helped guide us through the process," she said in an interview with the ELCA News Service. "I'm grateful a decision was made and that it's over, and we can start the next part of our healing phase."

Some of the testimony in the trial was surprising, Neitzel said. "For me to know that when (Scott) Roeder came to church on the 31st, and it was not the first time he had been in our building with a gun, was scary to me," she said.

Neitzel added she "continues to be amazed by the strength of the Tiller family and the strength of the whole congregation."

The Rev. Lowell R. Michelson, senior pastor, Reformation Lutheran Church, said he was glad the jury was able to listen to the testimony throughout the week, especially the difficult testimony given by the defendant on Thursday.

"It's a huge relief that this isn't going on for two or three weeks," he said.

Michelson said the trial has "dominated" conversation before and after worship services at Reformation. Fortunately there were no protests staged at the church during the course of the trial, he said.

A statement about the trial is posted on the Reformation Lutheran Church Web site at http://www.reformation-lutheran.org/, on the Web.

ELCA News Service