Start date for Roeder trial moved again

Start date for Roeder trial moved again

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BY STAN FINGER

The Wichita Eagle

WICHITA — Less than a week after delaying the trial for the man accused of killing abortion provider George Tiller, court officials have changed the start date again.

Jury selection for the trial of Scott Roeder will begin on Jan. 11, two weeks sooner than the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday.

Tiller was shot to death on the last Sunday in May at Reformation Lutheran Church, where he was serving as an usher.

Roeder, 51, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with the shooting.

Before it was initially postponed, the trial was set to begin last Monday.

Georgia Cole, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office, said the latest change was made to ensure enough time had been set aside to complete the trial.

Court officials are allowing for as much as three weeks for the trial, she said.

Reach Stan Finger at 316-268-6437 or sfinger@wichitaeagle.com.