Prosecutors have challenged a judge’s decision to allow the man charged with killing Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller to present a case for a voluntary-manslaughter conviction. As a result, the trial of Scott Roeder, which was to have begun Monday, has been delayed until Wednesday. In a surprise move Friday, Wilbert said he would allow the defense to present testimony that Roeder sincerely believed that killing Tiller was necessary to save lives. That meant jurors could have the option of finding Roeder guilty of voluntary manslaughter, which carries a much lighter sentence than first-degree murder.
Kansas law defines voluntary manslaughter as intentional killing committed “upon an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force.” The judge’s action also opened the door for the defense to offer testimony about abortion. Kansas City Star
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