WICHITA, Kan. – The man accused of killing abortion doctor George Tiller was granted bail Thursday by a Sedgwick County judge.
Roeder was originally ordered to be held without bail, but his public defender filed a motion earlier this week, citing a Kansas law that allows for bond to be set for defendents charged with non-capital crimes.
Sedgwick County District Judge Ben Burgess granted a $5 millioin bond for Roeder.
Roeder, 51, is charged with first degree murder for allegedly shooting Tiller inside a Wichita church where the doctor was serving as an usher, but Sedgwick County District Attorney Nola Fulston said Tuesday the case does not qualify for a capital murder trial.
In Roeder’s first court appearance Tuesday, which was streamed LIVE here on NBCActionNews.com and you can
watch here, Sedgwick County District Judge Ben Burgess ordered he be held without bond.
Burgess told the Wichita Eagle he took public safety into account in making that decision.
Roeder, who was living in an apartment in Kansas City’s Westport area, was arrested Sunday about three hours after the shooting 180 miles away from the church in Gardner, Kan., at a rest stop off of Interstate 35.
His ex-wife, Lindsey Roeder, told NBC Action News she filed for divorce in the ‘90s after he quit his job and joined anti-government groups.
See More of What Lindsey Roeder Had to Say Here.
