NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio’s Statement on Jury’s Conviction of Scott Roeder
Cleveland, OH. – Kellie Copeland, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, issued the following statement in response to a jury's conviction of Scott Roeder as guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Dr. George Tiller. "The facts of this case were so strong, that the jury deliberated for only 40 minutes before convicting Scott Roeder for the brutal murder of Dr. George Tiller inside his church in Kansas. Our thoughts are with Dr. Tiller's family and friends. Even though this conviction brings an unrepentant murderer to justice, it won't replace the loving husband, father, and grandfather that Roeder took from the Tiller family in May. Dr. Tiller was a tireless advocate for reproductive health who called on us to 'trust women' to make the personal, private decisions that are best for them and their families. We will continue to honor his legacy of compassion and resolve. "We also call on opponents of a woman's right to choose to once and for all end the practice of inflammatory rhetoric and tactics that inspire this kind of violence from the most extreme factions of the anti-choice movement. No other abortion provider's family should have to endure the tragedy of seeing their loved one killed for providing an essential and legal health service to women."
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