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Federal grand jury probing Tiller murder
cross-posted at dKos
A federal law enforcement official told the AP yesterday that a federal grand jury is investigating a possible broader conspiracy behind last year's murder of George Tiller. The official spoke Friday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation. The official said federal civil rights prosecutors were holding grand jury proceedings in Kansas City, looking into whether a broader case surrounded Tiller's death. You knew this was coming, based on Scott Roeder's testimony at trial that he discussed his planned attack on Tiller with "others." Before then, we knew Roeder was in contact with Operation Rescue's senior policy advisor, Cheryl Sullenger--who herself tried to blow up a clinic 20 years ago. And back in February, the AP reported (h/t to Fred Clarkson) that Roeder has strong ties to the militia movement. |
This comes on the heels of a report in yesterday's Kansas City Star that two of Roeder's former roommates testified before the grand jury. Tim Parks, a friend and former roommate of Roeder, said he appeared last week before a grand jury in Kansas City. "Based on the questions they asked, they are looking into whether others were involved," Parks said. "It appeared to me that they are trying to find or fabricate a conspiracy." The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment Friday, and an FBI spokeswoman declined to comment. Parks said he and six others appeared before the grand jury last week. All of them, he said, had been part of a Bible study group that Roeder attended, and several were former roommates of Roeder. One other study group member confirmed he appeared, and the others could not be reached Friday. Apparently the grand jury was taking a close look at the Bible study group. According to the other roommate who testified, they're interviewing everyone involved. Something tells me that there are going to be indictments coming. You don't empanel a grand jury for something this explosive unless there's hard evidence criminal activity occurred. |
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