Scott Roeder: More Violence Against Abortionists

Scott Roeder, alleged murderer of late-term abortionist George Tiller, is making threats from behind bars.

He's also whining a lot.

WICHITA, Kan. -- The man charged with murdering a high-profile abortion doctor claimed from his jail cell Sunday that similar violence was planned around the nation for as long as the procedure remained legal, a threat that comes days after a federal investigation launched into his possible accomplices.

A Justice Department spokesman said the threat was being taken seriously and additional protection had been ordered for abortion clinics last week. But a leader of the anti-abortion movement derided the accused shooter as "a fruit and a lunatic."

Scott Roeder called The Associated Press from the Sedgwick County jail, where he's being held on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault in the shooting of Dr. George Tiller one week ago.

"I know there are many other similar events planned around the country as long as abortion remains legal," Roeder said. When asked by the AP what he meant and if he was referring to another shooting, he refused to elaborate further.

It wasn't clear whether Roeder knew of any impending violence or whether he was simply seeking publicity for his cause. Law enforcement authorities including the Justice Department said they didn't know whether the threat was credible.

...In two separate calls to AP on Sunday morning, Roeder was far more talkative about his treatment at the Sedgwick County jail, complaining about "deplorable conditions in solitary" where he was kept during his first three days there.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Robert Hinshaw said that Roeder is receiving appropriate medical treatment.

...Roeder said it was freezing in his cell. "I started having a bad cough. I thought I was going to have pneumonia," he said.

He said he called AP because he wanted to emphasize the conditions in the jail so that in the future suspects would not have to endure the same conditions.

Roeder also said he wanted the public to know he has been denied phone privileges for the past two days, and needed his sleep apnea machine.

Hinshaw disputed that phone privileges had been denied.

Roeder called the Associated Press TWICE on Sunday morning from the Sedgwick County jail.

Clearly, he wants attention. One way to get it is by making comments that will be newsworthy and likely spread fear.

However, I don't think there's reason to believe that his statement about "similar events" being planned around the country is credible.

If that were the case, Roeder would be nuts for tipping off law enforcement. If he wanted to see more abortionists of third-trimester babies murdered, it would be counterproductive to put out a warning. Naturally, that would elicit more security, making it more difficult to commit the murders.

It appears that the purpose of Roeder's calls to the Associated Press was entirely self-centered, and the threat of more violence was something that came up after prompting from AP. He didn't contact the media to discuss planned murders of abortionists. He's just whining about his treatment.

Bottom line: Roeder doesn't like being in jail. He's not satisfied with the accommodations. He's not comfortable. That might have something to do with the fact that he's in JAIL.

It's loony for him to claim that he's being denied phone privileges when he made two calls to AP.

And how altruistic of Roeder to share his plight with AP in order to spare future suspects from enduring the same deplorable conditions! What a kindhearted man!

Yeah, right.

1. I doubt that Roeder is being mistreated. I highly doubt that any human rights groups are interested in taking up his cause.

2. I don't believe that he knows about any plans for violent acts, similar to the one he allegedly committed, to be carried out elsewhere in the country.