Update: 18:00
Pastor Kristin Neitzel of the Reformation Lutheran Church testified that she saw Scott Roeder at an evening service the night before he shot Dr. George Tiller. She says Roeder had been pointed out to her previously by ushers as someone who might cause a disruption. He arrived late at the service she says he attended the evening before the shooting. She testified that she followed him out of the church and watched him get into a car and drive away. Pastor Neitzel also testified Roeder had left a note asking if the church was non-profit.
On the morning of the shooting the senior pastor left when the noise that turned out to be a gunshot was heard coming from the foyer. She took over and continued the service until she was told what had happened and stopped the service.
After a brief cross examination by the defense Pastor Neitzel was excused.
Testimony has ended for the day and will continue Tuesday morning.
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The second day of testimony in the trial of the Scott Roeder got underway Monday morning. Roeder has admitted killing Dr. George Tiller while the abortionist was attending services at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, KS. Fox News Producer Michel Brewer is attending the trial and provided the following information.
This morning church usher Keith Martin took the stand to describe how he heard a gunshot before turning to see Tiller lying on the floor while Roeder ran out of a nearby door. Martin testified that when he chased Roeder outside to where the gunman’s car was parked, Roeder pointed the gun at him and told him to move or he would shoot. When Martin stepped aside Roeder drove away.
Martin also testified that he had seen Roeder at the church months before, and when he noticed him on the day of the shooting he wondered why Roeder was carrying a Bible, which members of the church rarely did since the passages needed for services were always printed in the church bulletin.
In response to questions from the prosecution Martin said the Reformation Lutheran Church has had previous problems with anti-abortion activists disrupting services.
On Friday, the first day of testimony in the trial, prosecutors had objected strenuously any time the defense attempted to elicit comments about abortion or abortion protests from witnesses. Their willingness to ask Martin about the issue directly might be a designed to tackle the issue themselves, on their own terms.
After breaking for lunch, the prosecution has resumed its questioning of Keith Martin.