Suspect in Abortion Slaying Charged With Murder

The suspect in Sunday's shooting death of Dr. George Tiller was charged today with first-degree murder. Scott Roeder, 51, made a brief appearance in a Kansas court via video link from jail. "OK," he responded when Judge Ben Burgess read the charges in the slaying of the abortion provider.  Burgess ordered Roeder to be held without bond and said he was not allowed to communicate with Tiller's family.
 

The judge told Roeder he would be assigned a public defender.  "Do you know how long it will be before I hear from one of those lawyers?" Roeder asked. The judge told Roeder he could expect to hear from an attorney within two days. A preliminary hearing is set for June 16. (More crime stories.)