Anti-abortionist warns of attacks

A jailed anti-abortion activist has warned that further attacks on abortion providers are...

A jailed anti-abortion activist has warned that further attacks on abortion providers are inevitable after a Kansas judge quashed the voluntary manslaughter defence of Scott Roeder who was convicted of killing Dr George Tiller last year.

Shelley Shannon, who shot and wounded Dr Tiller in 1993, said abortion providers "will continue to be stopped" after suggesting that the judge who presided over Roeder's trial had been influenced by media and abortion rights activists who claimed that the acceptance of a voluntary manslaughter defence would open the door for future attacks.

In a message sent via the prison's e-mail system, Shannon wrote: "Abortionists are killed because they are serial murderers of innocent children who must be stopped, and they will continue to be stopped, even though Scott didn't get a fair trial."

Roeder was found guilty of killing Dr Tiller at his church in May 2009. The trial had sparked controversy after Roeder launched the voluntary manslaughter defence claiming that his actions were preventing the deaths of unborn children.

Roeder faces a minimum sentence of life imprisonment after the Kansas jury found him guilty of first-degree murder last week.

The convicted murderer has echoed Shannon's message that future attacks against abortion providers are due.

"I know there are many other similar events planned around the country as long as abortion remains legal," he said.

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