Anti-abortion activist admits killing

WICHITA, Kan., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Scott Roeder told The Kansas City Star he shot Dr. George Tiller, a Kansas abortion provider, saying he had to act to protect unborn children.

In a telephone interview from the Sedgwick County Jail, Roeder said Monday he will be standing trial and does not believe he committed murder. Roeder is scheduled to go on trial Jan. 11 on a charge of first-degree murder.

"There is a distinction between killing and murdering," he said. "I don't like the accusation of murder whatsoever, because when you protect innocent life, that's not murder."

Tiller was shot while serving as an usher at his church in Wichita during a Sunday service May 31. Roeder, 51, of Kansas City was arrested soon after.

Roeder said he plans to use a necessity defense, something the Kansas Supreme Court has already rejected in a trespassing case involving an anti-abortion protester.

On Monday, abortion foes, including Eric Rudolph, who is serving a life sentence for killing two people with bombs in Birmingham, Ala., and the Atlanta area that were aimed at abortion clinics and in opposition to the "homosexual agenda," released a statement calling the killing of Tilson justifiable.