Judge opens door to lesser sentence in Roeder case.
"Scott Roeder, 51, of Kansas City, is charged with first-degree murder in the May 31 shooting death of Tiller inside his church. Roeder also faces two counts of aggravated assault for allegedly threatening two ushers.
Jury selection begins Monday and is expected to take from two days to a week. More than 60 prospective jurors will show up in court Monday.
And a surprise decision by Sedgwick County District Judge Warren Wilbert virtually assures that the trial will thrust Wichita even more in the spotlight.
The judge said Friday that he will allow the defense to present testimony that Roeder acted “upon an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force.”
That means jurors could have the option of finding Roeder guilty of voluntary manslaughter, which carries a much lighter sentence than first-degree murder."
How can something be 'honest' if it's 'unreasonable?'
The judge may have anti-abortion sympathies, and is attempting to mitigate this horrendous situation by allowing such a defense, or, perhaps, surreptitiously allow a forum for anti-abortion sentiment in the courtroom, but I believe he does the whole issue of pro-life a great disservice.
Indignant vigilantism should not be used to circumvent due process by depriving others of life, anymore than violent medical procedures against the most helpless of human beings should deprive them of life.
Whether it's Roeder taking the life of Tiller, or Tiller (and those whose use tortured logic to rationalize) killing unborn babies, the law should be clear: murder is murder! Prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.
Some Lefties do agree with me, but for perverse reasons:
"...Judge Warren Wilbert's ruling will only provide fresh oxygen for the violent fringe."The sick irony being that the horrific violence against millions of unborn is lost on these ignorant journalists.
This graphic distinction with a monumental difference is compounded by the fact that pro-lifers do want murderers prosecuted, while the pro-abortion crowd seeks more murder via federal funding.
May God have mercy on your miserable souls.
