Great news! Anti-abortion judge Anthony Powell removed himself from the Dr. Tiller case on Friday.
Powell said he felt confident he could have made fair rulings in the case, but decided he had to recuse himself after reading media coverage last week quoting statements he made disparaging Tiller in 1998. At that time Powell was a state representative who actively opposed abortion.
The Eagle reported last week that following the Legislature’s passage of the abortion restrictions Tiller is accused of violating, Powell had expressed concern that the law’s constitutionality would be challenged in court and delay implementation.
“Certainly that’s something we’re worried about, because Dr. Tiller could go about his merry way for the next year or two while it’s held up in court,” Powell was quoted as saying in a 1998 Eagle article.
The Associated Press reported Powell later publicly accused Tiller of breaking the law and of “defying legal and moral authority.”
On Friday, Powell said “I did not remember making such comments when I agreed to take this case and even seeing them in the news media over the weekend failed to refresh my recollection of those comments,” Powell said. “I do not deny having made such comments.”
As if having a hand in crafting the law wasn’t reason enough for him to remove himself already. In any case, a big kudos to whichever media outlet managed to dig up the dirt, and a reluctant kudos to Judge Powell for at least having the decency to remove himself.
A new judge awaits appointing.
I’d like to take this moment to repeat an appeal to provide Dr. Tiller with assistance. His practice is already under financial strain, as it is currently closed due to severe vandalism.
To those of you who have not participated already, donations and/or letters of thanks and support are likely to be greatly appreciated.
The address to Dr. Tiller’s clinic is:
WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE SERVICES
5107 East Kellogg
Wichita, Kansas USA 67218
Dr. Tiller also has a PAC called ProKanDo, which can accept donations. However, please be aware that those donations can only be used for political purposes, and not for getting his clinic back up and running, or to pay for his legal fees. If that is your goal, please send checks to the above address. Make sure to use a return address on the envelope, so that your donation will not be flagged as (potentially dangerous) hate mail.
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