eBay refuses auction for accused killer of abortion doctor

Online auction house eBay has blocked an auction that would have raised funds for Scott Roeder, the man accused of killing abortion doctor George Tiller in Wichita, Kansas, earlier this year.

According to a report at the Kansas City Star, Iowa anti-abortion activist Dave Leach had been organizing the auction, which would have sold off items such as a manual that instructs, among other things, on how to bomb abortion clinics, as well as a prison cookbook written by a person jailed for abortion clinic arsons and several signed drawings by Roeder.

Roeder has been in custody since early June, when he was arrested in connection with the brazen slaying of abortion doctor George Tiller in the lobby of a Wichita, Kansas, church on June 1, 2009. Roder's trial is expected to begin in January.

"Based on the details we know about the anticipated listings, we believe these would violate our policy regarding offensive material," the Associated Press quoted an eBay statement as saying.

eBay made the decision shortly after Tiller's family pleaded with the auctioneer to stop it from going forward, the Star notes.

“These materials contain hate messages, glorify violence against abortion doctors who provide constitutionally protected medical services, and instruct on means of violence, including bombing, of abortion clinics,” said Tiller family attorney Lee Thompson.

But Leach said he had contacted the company to explain to them that "we're not out for glorifying violence. We're wanting to get a man to his right by a trial by jury."

The Associated Press reported:

Leach questioned EBay's decision to stop the auction, but he said it didn't surprise him. He said other projects are in the works to raise money for Roeder, who has been appointed public defenders but is considering hiring private lawyers.

"The items that we're thinking of marketing have historical value in the history of freedom of speech in the pro-life movement," Leach said.