Scott Roeder, Murder, Kansas 2009
Shocking Murder Rocks Kansas Community
On May 31, 2009, a senseless act of violence shook the city of Wichita, Kansas. Dr. George Tiller, a renowned reproductive health care provider, was brutally murdered by 51-year-old Scott Roeder at his church. The heinous crime sent shockwaves across the nation, leaving many to wonder what could have driven someone to commit such a horrific act.
As the investigation into Dr. Tiller's murder continues, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas, in conjunction with the Civil Rights Division, has launched a federal investigation into potential federal crimes connected to the murder. The FACE Act, a federal law enacted in 1994, prohibits violent, obstructionist, or damaging conduct affecting reproductive health care providers and recipients.
The federal probe will consist of a thorough review of the evidence and an assessment of any potential violations of the FACE Act or other federal statutes. This investigation will be conducted in close coordination with the Office of the Sedgwick County District Attorney, which is currently prosecuting the state murder case.
'The U.S. Marshals Service has moved expeditiously to implement the Attorney General's directive with the assistance of the reproductive health care service providers and organizations throughout the country,' said Loretta King, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
In an effort to coordinate the federal government's efforts in response to the shooting of Dr. Tiller, the Civil Rights Division recently convened a meeting of the National Task Force on Violence Against Reproductive Health Care Providers, an interagency law enforcement working group that includes attorneys from the Civil Rights Division and the Criminal Division, and law enforcement officials from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
As the federal investigation unfolds, it is essential to remember the impact of Dr. Tiller's murder on his patients, colleagues, and loved ones. The community comes together to honor his memory and support those affected by this senseless tragedy.
The U.S. Marshals Service has offered protection to Dr. Tiller's family and other reproductive health care providers who may be at risk due to this heinous crime. This proactive measure demonstrates the federal government's commitment to ensuring the safety of those who provide essential services to our communities.
Scott Roeder, the man charged with Dr. Tiller's murder, faces serious federal charges related to potential violations of the FACE Act. The outcome of this case will be crucial in determining the full extent of the involvement of any and all actors in this horrific crime.
Key Facts
- State: Kansas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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