Juror in Roeder trial: Guilty verdict was unanimous as soon as we entered deliberations

[ck4829]

In some people's minds, the abortion issue is forever entwined with Scott Roeder's killing of George Tiller.

But abortion never came up in jurors' brief deliberations Friday at the end of Roeder's trial, the jury foreman said in an interview Saturday with The Eagle.

"It was never spoken of," said the 54-year-old, whose first service as a juror came in a trial that drew reporters and activists on both sides of the abortion issue from coast to coast.

He said the jury discussed only the question of whether Roeder was guilty of first-degree murder for shooting Tiller while Tiller served as an usher in his Wichita church, and whether Roeder was guilty of aggravated assault for pointing a handgun at two people who tried to block his escape.

Because of security concerns, the juror asked that his name not be used. He said he didn't want to take any chances that someone might lash out against him.

The guilty verdict was unanimous from the beginning of the deliberations, he said.

"There wasn't much to argue about."

They found the evidence against Roeder "overwhelming."

That's why it took only 37 minutes to decide, he said.

In the juror's mind, Roeder hurt himself with his testimony —"how he plotted this for a number of years." It showed premeditation, the juror said.

The evidence was solid, he said. "The trial was really based on cold, hard facts... undisputable facts."

He couldn't help watching Roeder, noting that throughout the trial Roeder never smiled, never reacted —"just kind of a blank look on his face, no matter what was said."

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1718537.html

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Kudos to all those jurors, and esp. to the one who spoke out...

The nation deserves to hear the truth.

K&R

[47of74]

2. My thanks to the juror

He and his colleagues did a very difficult thing. But it was the right thing. And I hope the judge throws the book at that no good murdering son of a bitch Scott Roeder when it comes time to sentence him.

[gratuitous]

3. I believe the juror represents well over 95% of the country

I have no idea why we let this vanishingly small - albeit violently terroristic - minority rule the discussion in this country. One might almost conclude that terrorist tactics work.

[givemebackmycountry]

4. Scott Roeder's going to get what he deserves, and I hope...

That he spends every single day behind bars, being driven crazy by the constant noise and yelling on his prison block.
I hope it penetrates his stupid thick skull like a Black and Decker drill into the temple.
I hope he suffers every day that remains in his worthless life.
And I hope he dies in his bed as his cellmate takes a dump in the cell toilet.

And even THAT ain't what this prick deserves.

And FUCK YOU "Operation Rescue".

[Hekate]

5. Grateful thanks to those jurors. Let Roeder rot in prison. nt

[jberryhill]

But, OMG, the judge let Roeder put on a defense!

There's no great surpirse here.

Asking a random group of people to get to the bottom of a murder which was committed in public view of a number of witnesses is not rocket science.

It would be like putting environmentalists on a jury for the Unabomber. When instructed as to the elements of a murder charge, it's not going to matter whether anyone is sympathetic to the professed "rationale" for killing a person in cold blood.

[jberryhill]

6. But, OMG, the judge let Roeder put on a defense!

There's no great surpirse here.

Asking a random group of people to get to the bottom of a murder which was committed in public view of a number of witnesses is not rocket science.

It would be like putting environmentalists on a jury for the Unabomber. When instructed as to the elements of a murder charge, it's not going to matter whether anyone is sympathetic to the professed "rationale" for killing a person in cold blood.

[pansypoo53219]

7. killing tiller in churh

a very bad thing.