Judge in Tiller Case Endorsed by Anti-Choice Group

by Alex DiBranco · 2010-01-18 10:15:00 UTC
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After the stunning decision to allow Dr. George Tiller's confessed killer, Scott Roeder, present a "voluntary manslaughter" defense, the judge's personal stake in the case has come under scrutiny, the Washington Post reports.

Judge Warren Wilbert has stated that the case won't be about the issue of abortion, but allowing Roeder to argue for a conviction that could result in a mere five years prison time -- a move that even shocked (though gratified) the anti-choice, pro-killing doctors side -- has understandably raised some eyebrows (and some fears that this will lead to "open season on doctors").

Skeptics are pointing to his faith as a practicing Roman Catholic, and the fact that, during his re-election campaign, he paid to be included in an anti-choice organization's newsletter ad, reading: "The Kansans for Life PAC urges you to vote for, work for and pray for the following pro-life candidates." Hmm ... if a judge is fair, shouldn't his personal beliefs about abortion be irrelevant?

On the other hand, Judge Wilbert also received a campaign donation from Dan Monnet, a lawyer who represented Tiller in a winning court battle against anti-choice groups alleging medical misconduct. Monnet said he contributed because Wilbert was "a good judge and would continue to be a good judge."

Sounds like just a regular day in the dirty world of politics and elections -- I'm not happy that Judge Wilbert receive an anti-choice endorsement, but it's not clear that his judgment is comprised by the connection. How will this play out? The Post reports that legal experts have supported the voluntary manslaughter ruling as a necessary move to protect the rights of the defendant, though there are doubts that the defense lawyers will actually be able to pull together a reasonable defense on those grounds.

A lot of eyes are on this case, from both sides of the reproductive rights debate. We'll keep watching to see how things develop.

Photo credit: steakpinball

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.
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