Dr. George Tiller’s killer catches major break

[babylonsister]

http://www.salon.com/2013/07/21/george_tillers_killer_catches_major_break/

George Tiller’s killer catches major break
Scott Roeder got life in prison for killing the abortion provider. Now a SCOTUS decision could someday mean freedom
By Jillian Rayfield


A June Supreme Court decision on mandatory minimum sentences could help Scott Roeder, the convicted killer of Kansas abortion doctor George Tiller, significantly reduce the number of years before he is eligible for parole. In essence, what once was a life sentence with effectively no chance of parole could potentially result in Roeder attaining freedom in his 70s.

In 2010, Roeder was found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of Tiller, who was shot in his church in 2009. Roeder, now 55, admitted on the witness stand to the shooting and was sentenced to life in prison with the opportunity for parole after 50 years — what’s known as a “Hard 50? sentence.

But, as the The Wichita Eagle pointed out, the Supreme Court decision in Alleyne v. United States has created a set of murky circumstances for prosecutors seeking “Hard 50? sentences, and raises the possibility that Roeder, whose case is being appealed, could now be eligible for parole after 25 years. The decision has already caused prosecutors to abandon a plan to seek that sentence for a different convicted murderer. From the Eagle:

The ruling also may force prosecutors to abandon plans to seek hard 50 sentences in some other cases, including the case of a Wichita man who was convicted last week of stomping his girlfriend to death with steel-toed boots. It could prevent the state from seeking a hard 50 for a man convicted last month of strangling a Wichita woman in 2011 while on parole for murdering a woman in Lawrence more than two decades earlier.

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http://www.salon.com/2013/07/21/george_tillers_killer_catches_major_break/

[MrSlayer]

1. In my opinion he should be executed.

But I'm sure this ruling will be welcomed here as a step toward more humane sentencing.

[PCIntern]

2. I'm with you 100% nt

[babylonsister]

3. I think the ruling is disgusting. nt

[Chan790]

5. I oppose execution...

but I believe a humane sentence is the one that keeps monsters like Roeder away from humanity and in prison until the last gasp of life escapes their husk.

There is nothing inhumane about life-without-the-possibility-of-parole for the worst of humanity. If there's a problem with hard-50's it's that they can't just be honest enough with themselves to call it a "Life" sentence and that being that.

[Auntie Bush]

4. If Tiller gets out...he'll murder again. He's not sorry...he's proud of what he did.

[Chan790]

7. Roeder.

Dr. George Tiller was the victim.

Yes, Roeder's pleased as punch with himself. They should wipe that smile out of his head by telling him in no uncertain terms he's going to die in his cage.

[11 Bravo]

6. Bill O'Reilly should be in the adjoining cell for incitement to murder.

[JeffHead]

8. He may be eligible for parlole in 25 yrs...

But he'll never get it. At least I hope not.

[BlueJazz]

9. I'm against the death penalty except in special cases. This guy is not one of them.

[Control-Z]

10. I'm against the death penalty in all cases.

If there were special cases this guy would most certainly be one, though.

[BlueJazz]

11. Special cases (to me) would be people who try to destroy the United States...

...or any country, for that matter, through financial or propaganda means.
...and they do it on purpose to the detriment of society ...even thousands of deaths and do it solely for their own ego or monetary gain.

I could be in error but my feelings are what they are.

[Control-Z]

13. And I consider him to be a terrorist.

Part of an American terrorist group out to terrorize the female citizens of the United States and to destroy anyone who is willing to stand up for and help us.

So I guess we agree?

[BlueJazz]

15. You've convinced me. He IS a part of a greater disgusting plot to ensure the possible death of...

... innocent people.

[Control-Z]

16. Thank you, BlueJazz,

for being honest and open minded. It is because of people like you I read and post here.

[dsc]

12. This is a good decision

if facts are being used to make a sentence longer, then the jury should be finding those facts. All that has to happen here is a re sentencing hearing.

[alcibiades_mystery]

14. I'm against life without parole in most cases

As a point of law, I agree with the Court's decision on this.

[geek tragedy]

17. should be life without parole. He's a domestic terrorist. nt