Interesting stuff coming out of the motion hearing for Scott Roeder, the man accused of killing Wichita abortion provider George Tiller.
Thanks to the Wichita Eagle's Ron Sylvester, those of us who couldn't be in Wichita for today's hearing could follow along with his play-by-play on Twitter.
You definitely get the feeling that Judge Warren Wilbert is exhausted with the repeated motions from both sides after this update from Sylvester.
Wilbert was also clear on what the trial was about, captured in updates from Sylvester.Judge Warren Wilbert said: "I hope this is the final installment of motions."
Wilbert: "This trial is not about abortion and will not become a forum about abortion issues."
Wilbert: This is a trial about first-degree murder and the victim justhappened to be an abortion.
Wilbert is reiterating that he did not rule that voluntary manslaughter would be available. He said he it might be available.
Wilbert: "I am going to make every effort to try this case as a criminal first-degree murder trial."Sylvester reported that the only formal ruling so far is that Roeder cannot use the so-called "necessity defense." As far as voluntary manslaughter, Wilbert will wait until after evidence has been presented to issue a ruling.
Also, from Sylvester: Both sides have agreed that Tiller's killing won't be referred to as an execution or assassination.
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