Update: 12:09 Eastern
Scott Roeder found guilty on all three counts: 1) first degree premeditated murder 2) aggravated assault 3) aggravated assault.
Sedgwick County District Attorney Nolal Foulston tells the judge the prosecution will purse the “Hard 50” option during sentencing. Scott Roeder is facing a mandatory life sentence with possible parole in 25 years. But the “Hard 50”, if granted, would not make Roeder eligible for parole until he has served at least 50.
Sentencing is set for March 9, 2010.
UPDATE: 11:37 Eastern
VERDICT IS IN. It took the jury just 37 minutes to decide on the three charges against Scott Roeder:
Count 1 – First Degree Premeditated Murder
Count 2 – Aggravated Assault (for waving a gun and threatening to shoot a man who tried to stop Roeder from escape.
Count 3 – Aggravated Assault (for waving a gun and threatening to shoot a second man who tried to stop Roeder from escape).
Courtroom observers, reporters and families for both the defendant and victim.
Update 11:00 am Eastern:
The jury has been excused to the jury room and will now begin deliberations.
The jury is expected to begin deliberations today in the Scott Roeder trial. Roeder has admitted to shooting and killing abortion provider Dr George Tiller last May 31 while Dr Tiller was acting as an usher in his church.
Roeder’s defense had requested the jury be allowed to consider a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter because of Roeder’s admitted belief he needed to kill Dr Tiller in order to save unborn babies. Judge Warren Wilbert rejected that request and instructed the jury that it may only consider first degree premeditated murder. If convicted, Roeder could receive a sentence of life in prison.