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Profile: George Tiller Profile: George Tiller
(about 21 hours later)
George Tiller had been providing abortion services since the early 1970sGeorge Tiller had been providing abortion services since the early 1970s
To anti-abortionists George Tiller, who was shot dead on Sunday, was a mass murderer known as "Tiller the Killer". To his patients and many pro-choice supporters, he was a hero committed to women in need of help. To some anti-abortionists George Tiller, who was shot dead on Sunday, was a mass murderer known as "Tiller the Killer". To his patients and many pro-choice supporters, he was a hero committed to women in need of help.
For two decades, Dr Tiller spent his life looking over his shoulder. He had become a lightning rod for anti-abortion activists and in 1993 survived an attempt on his life.For two decades, Dr Tiller spent his life looking over his shoulder. He had become a lightning rod for anti-abortion activists and in 1993 survived an attempt on his life.
He rarely talked about his work for fear of attacks against himself or his family.He rarely talked about his work for fear of attacks against himself or his family.
Dr Tiller's clinic was one of three in the US that offered late-term abortions - those that are performed on foetuses that could survive outside the mother's womb.Dr Tiller's clinic was one of three in the US that offered late-term abortions - those that are performed on foetuses that could survive outside the mother's womb.
He had acknowledged that abortion was as socially divisive as slavery, but said the issue was about giving women a choice when dealing with technology that could diagnose severe foetal abnormalities.He had acknowledged that abortion was as socially divisive as slavery, but said the issue was about giving women a choice when dealing with technology that could diagnose severe foetal abnormalities.
For decades, his clinic in Wichita, Kansas was besieged by protesters, some carrying signs, others carrying bibles.For decades, his clinic in Wichita, Kansas was besieged by protesters, some carrying signs, others carrying bibles.
'Family support''Family support'
Speaking in court earlier this year after being charged with performing 19 illegal abortions, he told a jury why he continued his work despite the opposition.Speaking in court earlier this year after being charged with performing 19 illegal abortions, he told a jury why he continued his work despite the opposition.
Dr Tiller survived at attempt on his life iin 1993Dr Tiller survived at attempt on his life iin 1993
"Quit is not something I like to do," he said. He said he firmly believed his patients needed him and that he had the "strong support of his family"."Quit is not something I like to do," he said. He said he firmly believed his patients needed him and that he had the "strong support of his family".
Dr Tiller outlined a conversation he had had with his daughters - two of whom are physicians - in which he said the importance of his work was crystallised.Dr Tiller outlined a conversation he had had with his daughters - two of whom are physicians - in which he said the importance of his work was crystallised.
"My daughters came into my study," he said. "I was reading. And they said, 'Daddy, if not now, when? If not you, who? Who is going to stand up for women with unexpected and badly damaged babies?' I had the support of my family, and we were able to proceed ahead.""My daughters came into my study," he said. "I was reading. And they said, 'Daddy, if not now, when? If not you, who? Who is going to stand up for women with unexpected and badly damaged babies?' I had the support of my family, and we were able to proceed ahead."
Kansas restricts abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy, except where the mother's health would be seriously harmed if the pregnancy continued.Kansas restricts abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy, except where the mother's health would be seriously harmed if the pregnancy continued.
Doctors are required to consult an independent physician before performing an abortion after the 22nd week of pregnancy.Doctors are required to consult an independent physician before performing an abortion after the 22nd week of pregnancy.
The case raised questions about whether Dr Tiller had been too closely linked to a doctor from whom he sought second opinions.The case raised questions about whether Dr Tiller had been too closely linked to a doctor from whom he sought second opinions.
He was acquitted in the case.He was acquitted in the case.
Dr Tiller had reported aborting more than 2,600 viable foetuses since the second-opinion law took effect in 1998.Dr Tiller had reported aborting more than 2,600 viable foetuses since the second-opinion law took effect in 1998.
He faced a number of other legal challenges, including two separate grand jury investigations. Both ended without charges.He faced a number of other legal challenges, including two separate grand jury investigations. Both ended without charges.
In one, in 2005, anti-abortion activists had circulated petitions to force a grand jury investigation into the treatment of a 19-year-old mentally disabled patient who died of complications from an early-third-trimester abortion at Dr Tiller's clinic.In one, in 2005, anti-abortion activists had circulated petitions to force a grand jury investigation into the treatment of a 19-year-old mentally disabled patient who died of complications from an early-third-trimester abortion at Dr Tiller's clinic.
Late-termLate-term
Dr Tiller was shot in the lobby of the church, reports sayDr Tiller was shot in the lobby of the church, reports say
According to his website - which was removed after his death - Dr Tiller graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1967.According to his website - which was removed after his death - Dr Tiller graduated from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1967.
He served his internship at the US Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton, California, and worked as a flight surgeon for the Navy until 1970.He served his internship at the US Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton, California, and worked as a flight surgeon for the Navy until 1970.
He began practising in Wichita that year, specialising in family medicine. He inherited his father's practice after his parents were killed in an accident.He began practising in Wichita that year, specialising in family medicine. He inherited his father's practice after his parents were killed in an accident.
Anti-abortion activists claimed Dr Tiller was performing late-term abortions for relatively minor foetal abnormalities.Anti-abortion activists claimed Dr Tiller was performing late-term abortions for relatively minor foetal abnormalities.
He has acknowledged performing abortions on some late-term patients with healthy foetuses.He has acknowledged performing abortions on some late-term patients with healthy foetuses.
Reportedly among them were girls as young as 10, rape victims, alcoholics, drug addicts, and women who were suicidal or depressed. Some anti-abortionists, however, questioned his criteria for diagnosing depression.Reportedly among them were girls as young as 10, rape victims, alcoholics, drug addicts, and women who were suicidal or depressed. Some anti-abortionists, however, questioned his criteria for diagnosing depression.
In the early 1990s, Dr Tiller bought a second clinic in Wichita and tried to acquire a third. This, along with the reduction of fees for a first-trimester abortion, further antagonised abortion foes.In the early 1990s, Dr Tiller bought a second clinic in Wichita and tried to acquire a third. This, along with the reduction of fees for a first-trimester abortion, further antagonised abortion foes.
It even caused dismay among some abortion-rights supporters, who criticised him for seeking to create a monopoly.It even caused dismay among some abortion-rights supporters, who criticised him for seeking to create a monopoly.
In 1991, anti-abortion activists launched a massive protest - known as Operation Rescue - against his clinic. It lasted more than six weeks and resulted in about 2,800 arrests.In 1991, anti-abortion activists launched a massive protest - known as Operation Rescue - against his clinic. It lasted more than six weeks and resulted in about 2,800 arrests.
In 1993, Dr Tiller was shot in both arms outside his clinic. The incident came five months after the shooting of another abortion doctor.In 1993, Dr Tiller was shot in both arms outside his clinic. The incident came five months after the shooting of another abortion doctor.
His clinic was subsequently heavily fortified and Dr Tiller was often forced to travel with a bodyguard.His clinic was subsequently heavily fortified and Dr Tiller was often forced to travel with a bodyguard.
Recently, President Barack Obama's choice for health secretary, former Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius, was been widely condemned by the anti-abortion movement because she had received campaign money from Dr Tiller.Recently, President Barack Obama's choice for health secretary, former Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius, was been widely condemned by the anti-abortion movement because she had received campaign money from Dr Tiller.