Scott Roeder Gets Maximum for Tiller Murder -- Life, With No Possible Parole for 50 Years

April 1, 2010— -- A judge has sentenced the anti-abortion activist who shot and killed prominent Kansas doctor George Tiller to the maximum possible sentence -- life in prison with the possibility of parole only after 50 years.

Scott Roeder, 52, faced a mandatory life sentence, but it was up to Sedgwick County District Judge Warren Wilbert to decide whether he would be eligible for parole after 25 or 50 years. Wilbert said he chose the harsher sentence because of evidence Roeder stalked Tiller before killing him.

Earlier, Wilbert dismissed motions for a new trial and an acquittal.

Tiller, 67, a father of four and grandfather of 10, was handing out programs at church in May 2009 when he was killed.

In January, Roeder was found guilty in Tiller's murder as well as of assault charges stemming from his attack on Tiller. It took a jury just 37 minutes to find him guilty.

During today's day-long sentencing hearing, Roeder read a lengthy statement in his own defense that included details descriptions of abortion procedures and the fetal reactions to them.

Roeder admitted that he killed Tiller and compared an abortion to premeditated murder. He said that the state of Kansas was to blame for the abortion "holocaust" through its law legalizing abortions.

"The blame of George Tiller's death lies more with the state of Kansas than with me," he said. "George Tiller was their hit man."

The statement cited the Old Testament of the Bible, as well as a book by Paul Hill entitled, "Why Shoot an Abortionist?"

Roeder also criticized the court's handling of his trial, arguing at one point that prosecutors were allowed to show "pictures of George Tiller lying a pool of blood," but he was not allowed to introduce pictures of aborted fetuses.

After about 40 minutes, the judge interrupted Roeder and said the statement was meant to address his sentencing.

"It's not a forum to get on a political soap box for your entire political beliefs," the judge said.