McClatchy DC Logo

Roeder's Bible study group scrutinized in Tiller investigation | McClatchy Washington Bureau

×
    • Customer Service
    • Mobile & Apps
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletters
    • Subscriber Services

    • All White House
    • Russia
    • All Congress
    • Budget
    • All Justice
    • Supreme Court
    • DOJ
    • Criminal Justice
    • All Elections
    • Campaigns
    • Midterms
    • The Influencer Series
    • All Policy
    • National Security
    • Guantanamo
    • Environment
    • Climate
    • Energy
    • Water Rights
    • Guns
    • Poverty
    • Health Care
    • Immigration
    • Trade
    • Civil Rights
    • Agriculture
    • Technology
    • Cybersecurity
    • All Nation & World
    • National
    • Regional
    • The East
    • The West
    • The Midwest
    • The South
    • World
    • Diplomacy
    • Latin America
    • Investigations
  • Podcasts
    • All Opinion
    • Political Cartoons

  • Our Newsrooms

Courts & Crime

Roeder's Bible study group scrutinized in Tiller investigation

Judy L. Thomas - The Kansas City Star

    ORDER REPRINT →

August 31, 2009 07:16 AM

They met in each other's homes on Saturday, their Sabbath, for a potluck dinner and Bible study sessions.

Among the topics: Scripture, their Hebrew roots and the "secret societies" attempting to control government and culture.

Among the group members: Scott Roeder, the Kansas City man accused of killing Wichita abortion provider George Tiller.

As the investigation continues into whether Roeder acted alone in Tiller's May 31 death, members of the Bible study group have found themselves in the spotlight, showing up on the witness list for the prosecution and being interviewed by the FBI.

SIGN UP

Even a rabbi at an Overland Park congregation of Messianic Jews has been questioned, although Roeder's group broke away after some members were asked to leave the synagogue.

"People are trying to make something out of nothing," said Michael Clayman, an attorney who was host for the group for a time in his Merriam home.

"It was like any other Bible study around town. It was a bunch of guys having spaghetti and meatballs, talking about philosophy. It wasn't a bunch of Jim Jones people meeting or drinking Kool-Aid or plotting things. No cult, no nothing."

The group does help explain the foundation of some of Roeder's beliefs, which included distrust of government and opposition to abortion.

To read the complete article, visit www.kansascity.com.

Related stories from McClatchy DC

politics-government

Tiller abortion battle joined again outside Nebraska clinic

August 30, 2009 04:24 AM

crime

Violent abortion foes flock to visit jailed Tiller murder suspect

August 10, 2009 07:41 AM

national

Witness describes Tiller killing as judge orders suspect to trial

July 29, 2009 07:32 AM

national

Letters to son show accused Tiller killer's evolving beliefs

July 28, 2009 07:01 AM

national

Tiller's accused killer asserts links to Operation Rescue

July 26, 2009 11:32 AM

HOMEPAGE

George Tiller coverage from The Wichita Eagle

June 03, 2009 07:15 AM

  Comments  

Videos

How police use DNA ‘familial searches’ to probe murders

How does a crime get classified as ‘domestic terrorism’?

View More Video

Trending Stories

Cell signal puts Cohen outside Prague around time of purported Russian meeting

December 27, 2018 10:36 AM

California Republicans fear even bigger trouble ahead for their wounded party

December 27, 2018 09:37 AM

Sources: Mueller has evidence Cohen was in Prague in 2016, confirming part of dossier

April 13, 2018 06:08 PM

Hundreds of sex abuse allegations found in fundamental Baptist churches across U.S.

December 09, 2018 06:30 AM

Ted Cruz’s anti-Obamacare crusade continues with few allies

December 24, 2018 10:33 AM

Read Next

Ted Cruz rallies conservatives with changes to criminal justice reform plan

Criminal Justice

Ted Cruz rallies conservatives with changes to criminal justice reform plan

By Andrea Drusch and

Lesley Clark

    ORDER REPRINT →

December 06, 2018 01:51 PM

Sen. Ted Cruz has long pushed changes to prevent keep violent offenders from getting out early. In the final days of the Congressional calendar, the Texas Republican got his way, something criminal justice reform advocates hope will bring other reluctant conservatives on board.

KEEP READING

MORE COURTS & CRIME

Kamala Harris aide resigns after harassment, retaliation settlement surfaces

Congress

Kamala Harris aide resigns after harassment, retaliation settlement surfaces

December 05, 2018 07:18 PM
Felons may be back in the hemp farming business

Congress

Felons may be back in the hemp farming business

December 05, 2018 04:08 PM
‘This may be just the beginning.’ U.S. unveils first criminal charges over Panama Papers

Investigations

‘This may be just the beginning.’ U.S. unveils first criminal charges over Panama Papers

December 04, 2018 07:27 PM
How a future Trump Cabinet member gave a serial sex abuser the deal of a lifetime

Criminal Justice

How a future Trump Cabinet member gave a serial sex abuser the deal of a lifetime

November 28, 2018 08:00 AM
Texas oilman Tim Dunn aims to broaden GOP’s appeal with criminal justice plan

Criminal Justice

Texas oilman Tim Dunn aims to broaden GOP’s appeal with criminal justice plan

November 20, 2018 04:25 PM
Trump gives Kelley Paul’s push for criminal justice reform a major boost

Congress

Trump gives Kelley Paul’s push for criminal justice reform a major boost

November 14, 2018 05:18 PM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

McClatchy Washington Bureau App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Newsletters
Learn More
  • Customer Service
  • Securely Share News Tips
  • Contact Us
Advertising
  • Advertise With Us
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story