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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Matter of Opinion

Roeder verdict

A Kansas jury deliberated for all of 37 minutes before finding Scott Roeder guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of abortion provider Dr. George Tiller. Roeder, who shot Tiller in the head during services at his church, was relying on a so-called necessity defense, that is, he was innocent because Tiller posed an immediate threat to the fetuses he would abort.  Even Fox News analysts were saying Thursday that defense didn't wash.  The jury obviously agreed. Thirty-seven minutes is about enough time to pass out pencils and paper. Roeder will be sentenced in March. 



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