Slain doctor's funeral to face protest

WICHITA, Kan., June 5 (UPI) -- A federal investigation into the shooting death of abortion doctor George Tiller is under way, the U.S. Justice Department said Friday.

The department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas began the probe into federal crimes in the death of Tiller, who was shot and killed May 31 at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kan., the Justice Department said in a news release.

Scott Roeder, 51, was arrested and charged in the shooting.

Among other things, the federal probe will include a review of the evidence and an assessment of any potential violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, the department said. The federal investigation will be coordinated with the Sedgwick County, Kan., district attorney.

Meanwhile, members of a Kansas church will attend Tiller's funeral Saturday to offer religious warnings, a protester told USA Today.

Shirley Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., said 18 members of the church will be on hand at the service. Other abortion opponents said protesting Tiller's funeral would be ill-advised.

"It would be morally reprehensible if anybody shows up" to protest, Operation Rescue President Troy Newman said. Newman's group staged protests at Tiller's abortion clinic.