In Kansas, the murderer of abortion provider Dr. George Tiller has been sentenced to life in prison. Scott Roeder was convicted in January for first-degree murder. He shot Dr. Tiller point-blank in the forehead as Dr. Tiller attended Sunday church services. In a lengthy tirade at his sentencing hearing, Roeder repeatedly defended his crime.

Scott Roeder: “Had the courts acted rightfully, I would have not shot George Tiller. The blame for George Tiller’s death lies more with the state of Kansas than with me. The state of Kansas permits, protects and promotes the slaughter of these children. George Tiller was their hit man.”

The fifty-two-year-old Roeder won’t have parole eligibility for at least fifty years, the maximum allowed by law. Sedgwick County District Attorney Nola Foulston said Roeder had flouted the US justice system.

Nola Foulston: “Mr. Roeder has made a mockery of the system from day one. He has made a mockery of the system that we live by the laws of our land and that he chose his own way.”

The one-year anniversary of Tiller’s murder will be marked next month.