Abortion doctor's killer uses sentencing as forum

By ROXANA HEGEMAN Associated Press Writer

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A man who murdered one of the few U.S. doctors who performed late-term abortions used his sentencing hearing as a forum to espouse his views, arguing he had chosen to obey "God's law" to save babies.

Scott Roeder was sentenced Thursday to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 50 years. It's the longest sentence possible under Kansas law for first-degree murder.

The 52-year-old Kansas City, Mo., man killed George Tiller as he was serving as an usher last May in the foyer of the doctor's church in Wichita.

Roeder also was sentenced to an additional year in prison on each of two counts of aggravated assault for threatening two church ushers. With time off for good behavior, Roeder won't be eligible for parole for 51 years and eight months.