Friend: Roeder Hoping To Mend Previous Relationships

Friend: Roeder Hoping To Mend Previous Relationships

Monday, July 27, 2009

Eugene Frye of Kansas City has known Scott Roeder for 15 years.

But in those years, he says he never knew Roeder had an ex-wife or son. That all changed after Roeder's arrest May 31, hours after investigators say he shot and killed Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller in the foyer of the Reformation Lutheran Church.

Frye, an anti-abortion activist, said he used to see Roeder at pickets outside Kansas City's Planned Parenthood. Frye said Roeder was always very nice and polite, and he never suspected Roeder might be capable of murder.

"I was shocked," Frye told KAKE News over the phone Monday afternoon.

Frye described Roeder as a smart and "meticulous" man who was always kind. Frye said the only time Roeder ever appeared upset was after Dr. Tiller's acquittal earlier this year on misdemeanor charges of performing illegal late-term abortions.

"He called the trial a sham," Frye said.

Frye said he's been to Wichita to visit Roeder in jail. He said Roeder asked him to help reach out to his son and ex-wife, who live in suburban Kansas City.

"He said he wrote his son a letter," Frye said. "He said he was apologizing to his son and asking forgiveness. I think he did the same thing with his ex-wife."

Frye said Roeder has never discussed the charges against him during their visits. Frye is listed along with more than 200 others who could be called to testify if Roeder's case goes to trial. Other witnesses include Roeder's ex-wife and son, Dr. Tiller's widow, members of the Tillers' church, and members of anti-abortion group Operation Rescue.

KAKE News spoke with Roeder's ex-wife Monday night. She said she and her son had received only one joint letter from Roeder since his arrest. In the letter, Roeder called his ex-wife a "spoiled brat." She said she plans to monitor, but will not attend Tuesday's preliminary hearing.