Deadline set for Roeder case motions

BY RON SYLVESTER

The Wichita Eagle

As early as next month, the public could begin getting a sense of how the murder trial of Scott Roeder will proceed next year.

A Sedgwick County district judge set deadlines last week for legal briefs, motions and hearing dates leading up to the trial Jan. 11 of the man accused of shooting Wichita abortion provider George Tiller.

Roeder, 51, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree premeditated murder.

Judge Warren Wilbert gave the defense and prosecution until Nov. 13 to file motions over legal issues that need to be decided before trial.

Each side will have a week to respond.

Pretrial motions can include such things as requests to suppress evidence from the jury, or challenges to police investigative techniques.

If further arguments or evidence are needed, Wilbert set aside Dec. 9-10 for pre-trial court hearings.

The dates were set at an informal meeting Thursday in the judge's chambers.

Roeder, 51, remains in jail in lieu of $20 million bond while awaiting trial.

Witnesses at a preliminary hearing in July identified Roeder as the man who walked up to Tiller in the lobby of his church and shot him on May 31.

During his time in jail, Roeder has received visits and communications from anti-abortion activists and supporters.

Earlier this week, the Planned Parenthood Foundation posthumously awarded Tiller its Medal of Honor for "outstanding individual contribution to sexual and reproductive health."

Reach Ron Sylvester at 316-268-6514 or rsylvester@wichitaeagle.com.