Manslaughter claim possible in abortion killing

[☭proletarian☭]

WICHITA, Kan. - A man accused of killing one of the nation's few late-term abortion providers can try to build a case that the slaying was voluntary manslaughter because he sincerely believed it was necessary to save unborn babies, a Kansas judge ruled Friday.
Scott Roeder, 51, of Kansas City, Mo., is charged with one count of first-degree murder in Dr. George Tiller's death and two counts of aggravated assault for allegedly threatening two ushers who tried to stop him during the May 31 melee in the foyer of the doctor's Wichita church. Roeder has pleaded not guilty and his trial begins Monday.
Roeder faces life imprisonment if convicted of first-degree murder. A voluntary manslaughter conviction could bring a prison term closer to five years, depending on prior criminal record.

This could have far-reaching effects in the legal system.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34775587/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

 

[jillian]

This could have far-reaching effects in the legal system.

no ... it really can't. it's just a stupid ruling by a judge with a religious/politial agenda. do you think he'd rule the same way if someone threatended to kill him before his rulings get more doctors killed by terrorists?

Judge Wilbert is an active Roman Catholic: he’s served as a deacon and worked in his parish’s eucharist for the homebound program. He was appointed to the bench in 1995 and won re-election to a fifth term last November. He rotates between the 18th district’s civil and criminal divisions. His re-election bid was endorsed by Kansans for Life.

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/5627

where are all the screaming meemies are who claim they oppose "judicial activism"?

he's a heck of a guy, this wilbert fellow...

Mar. 18--A Sedgwick County district judge received a public admonishment Friday for having inappropriate personal relations with a courthouse employee.

The state's Commission on Judicial Qualifications sent Judge Warren Wilbert a cease-and-desist order, stemming from a sexual harassment complaint.

Only a handful of such orders are handed down each year, and nearly all closed to the public. Even rarer are findings regarding personal interoffice relationships, said Ron Keefover, spokesman for the Office of Judicial Administration.

Dan Monnat, Wilbert's lawyer, said he hoped the action wouldn't tarnish the judge's record on the bench.

"He has an exemplary reputation as a judge for more than 10 years, and none of that should change because of this one incident," Monnat said.

The seven-member committee of judges and lawyers found that Wilbert, 53, last summer "pursued a personal relationship with a subordinate employee beyond the appropriate boundaries" of professional conduct.

Article: Judge reprimanded for conduct: District Judge Warren Wilbert is given a... | AccessMyLibrary - Promoting library advocacy

 

[Contumacious]

WICHITA, Kan. - A man accused of killing one of the nation's few late-term abortion providers can try to build a case that the slaying was voluntary manslaughter because he sincerely believed it was necessary to save unborn babies, a Kansas judge ruled Friday.......This could have far-reaching effects in the legal system.

Yes, indeed it could.

Unfortunately for you the decision will be overturned by SCOTUS.

.

 

[Cecilie1200]

Try his ass like any other selfish asshole who kills for his own personal gain and then put him away for a million years. This isn't about saving babies, because he hasn't accomplished a damned thing in that regard. He's only hurt legitimate efforts in that direction. This is all about his own warm, fuzzy feeling of self-righteousness at everyone else's expense.

 

[☭proletarian☭]

Try his ass like any other selfish asshole who kills for his own personal gain and then put him away for a million years. This isn't about saving babies, because he hasn't accomplished a damned thing in that regard. He's only hurt legitimate efforts in that direction. This is all about his own warm, fuzzy feeling of self-righteousness at everyone else's expense.

Voluntary manslaughter is defined in Kansas law as "an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force."...


"This will not become a trial on the bigger issue of abortion. It will be limited to Mr. Roeder's beliefs," Wilbert said.

.

 

[Cecilie1200]

Try his ass like any other selfish asshole who kills for his own personal gain and then put him away for a million years. This isn't about saving babies, because he hasn't accomplished a damned thing in that regard. He's only hurt legitimate efforts in that direction. This is all about his own warm, fuzzy feeling of self-righteousness at everyone else's expense.

Voluntary manslaughter is defined in Kansas law as "an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force."...


"This will not become a trial on the bigger issue of abortion. It will be limited to Mr. Roeder's beliefs," Wilbert said.

.

Don't care. If you're going to look at it that way, then any guy who kills an old lady for the seven bucks in her purse is guilty of voluntary manslaughter, because HE believed that the circumstances of wanting her money justified deadly force.

He's a cold-blooded, selfish murderer, and deserves to be treated like one.

 

[☭proletarian☭]

Did I ever said I agreed with the law?

 

[Cecilie1200]

Did I ever said I agreed with the law?

Didn't say you did. Just said that I don't.

I'm not saying there might not be cases where that plea might not be justified. I just don't see this as one.