According to the Seattle Times, Scott Roeder – the man charged with first-degree murder for killing Dr. GeorgeTiller – has been communicating to people outside of prison, including sendingpamphlets that justify the murder of abortion doctors.

The article says,

"From his cell in Sedgwick County jail, Roeder has been sending anti-abortion pamphlets that laud Paul Hill, who was convicted of murdering an abortion provider in 1994, as an ‘American hero,’ and include examples of Hill’s writings about how the killing of abortion providers is justifiable."

 

The pamphlets were sent to Roeder from Rev. Donald Spitz, who runs agroup called "Army of God," whose website celebrates Paul Hill for his murder of Dr. John Bayard Britton and his bodyguard. Hill was executed in 2003.

So far, Roeder hasn’t been accused of breaking any laws with hiscorrespondence, although it’s not that questionable how far our first amendment rightsprotect one’s justifying and advocating the murder of others – especially whenyou’re already awaiting trial, accused of murder.

Allegedly local and federal law enforcement agencies "took seriously athreat Roeder made during a June 7 interview with The Associated Press thatthere are ‘many other similar events planned around the county as long asabortion remains legal.’" Roeder’s bond was subsequently raised to $20 million, but it isn’t clear what other steps have been taken. It’s feasible that otherswith views similar to Roeder’s might be driven to act.

Given the forewarning law enforcement agencies had of possible violenceagainst George Tiller before his murder, not much was done to prevent Tiller’s murder. Here’s hoping they’ve learned from their mistakes.