Subscribe to breaking news alerts
Sebelius criticizes Kline’s actions in abortion probe
December 28, 2006
Advertisement
Kline and abortion
- Abortion charges again rejected (12-28-06)
- Complaint filed by Kline (.pdf)
- SegwickCounty.org: Dismissal of charges
- Press release from Tiller's attorneys (.pdf)
- Soon as filed, charges against abortion doctor dismissed (12-22-06)
- Sebelius won't sign off on Kline's district attorney appointment (12-21-06)
- Anti-abortion group gives award to Kline (12-19-06)
- Kline makes plans for new job but not next election (12-13-06)
- Abortion clinics' request rejected (12-01-06)
Topeka — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius today criticized Attorney General Phill Kline's actions in his abortion investigation into George Tiller.
"The story just continues to get stranger and stranger," Sebelius said in response to questions from reporters.
On Wednesday, a state district judge rejected for the second time an attempt by Kline to file charges against Tiller, a Wichita doctor who performs abortions.
Kline, an abortion opponent, said he would appoint Don McKinney, also an anti-abortion advocate, as a special prosecutor to take over the case before he leaves office Jan. 8.
Asked if she thought Kline's actions were appropriate, Sebelius said, "I think what the judge found is that he did not follow the law, he did not abide by the steps that needed to be taken. He looked at it twice, and to me that's not appropriate to have an attorney general who isn't following Kansas law."
Sebelius, a Democrat and abortion rights supporter, said she looked forward to Jan. 8 when Democrat Paul Morrison, who defeated Kline, a Republican, in the November general election, would take over the job.
Of Morrison, she said, "He is capable of sorting this out and figuring out how to move forward. It is just how messy can it get in the next 10 days before he takes office?"
Kline has defended his probe, alleging that Tiller has performed illegal late-term abortions. He said the dismissal of the charges are without merit.
Tiller, through his attorneys, has said the late-term abortions were legal because of state law that allows them for mental health reasons.
Subscribe to breaking news alerts
Follow LJWorld on Twitter
Top ads RSS
- Need immediately Part Time Care Attendant for disabled person. Those ...
- HELP WANTED Lakeview Club in Kansas seeks caretaker to live ...
- Wheat State Pizza General Manager or Assistant Managers Must be ...
- FULL TIME DIRECT SALES REPRESENTATIVES Positions Available In Lawrence/Eudora Basehor ...
- Maintenance Director Full Time-Experience Required LPN/RN Full Time 2PM-10PM Apply ...
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- ‘Tea party’ is Palin’s people February 7, 2010 · 235 comments
- Proposed constitutional amendment to block federal health care reform considered February 9, 2010 · 50 comments
- Rep. John Murtha, Iraq war critic, dies at 77 February 9, 2010 · 89 comments
- Blog: Marion - Disappeareded 1-23-2010 January 23, 2010 · 806 comments
- Bill would allow big-cat hunting February 9, 2010 · 73 comments
- Poll: Paper, plastic or, no thanks, I brought my own tote bag? February 8, 2010 · 49 comments
- The only choice February 9, 2010 · 55 comments
- Two taken to hospital after Wednesday morning incident February 10, 2010 · 4 comments
- Kansas Legislature considers poverty waivers for those looking to get married, but unable to pay fees February 9, 2010 · 35 comments
- Kansans rally for statewide smoking ban, point to health benefits February 9, 2010 · 22 comments
- KU employee suspected of charging personal items on university credit card February 9, 2010
- Open house to discuss Highway 56 moved to Baldwin City school February 9, 2010
- KU communication studies professor is a finalist for MU post February 9, 2010
- KDHE orders salvage yard to change practices February 9, 2010
- Kansas Legislature considers poverty waivers for those looking to get married, but unable to pay fees February 9, 2010
- New, legal, drug has law enforcement concerned — and it's already on a Lawrence store's shelves November 4, 2009
- House gives preliminary OK for Kansas universities to bypass purchasing requirements February 9, 2010
- HealthGrades releases list of hospitals with lower mortality, complication rates February 9, 2010
- Tour of Lawrence offers events for all ages, interests February 9, 2010
- Kansas Secretary of State resigns to take private sector job February 8, 2010
28 December 2006
at 2:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
texburgh (Anonymous) says…
Perhaps you are right, Parkay, but if you are going to spout in a manner such as you did above, you should allow that the same things can be said about your man Phill on the other side. Kline will never ever allow an independent investigation of any abortion provider because he is an anti-abortion quack of a lawyer who proves his complete lack of objectivity in the matter by appointing an anti-abortion (and particularly anti Dr. Tiller) zealot like Don McKinney as an alleged “independent prosecutor.” Kline proves again his ignorance of the law and his lack of respect for the law and justice in general. The people of Kansas have fired him. It's time for him to give up his ideological quest and move on.
28 December 2006
at 2:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
preebo (Anonymous) says…
Parkay,
Where you are wrong here is that Kline made a procedural error, which has damaged his case. The Kansas Law that Tiller practices under is vague and ambiguous, whish allows a women to have a late-term abortion in instances where her mental health is at risk. If a women complains about depression after 22 weeks of pregnancy she then can terminate the pregnancy. The error that Kline committed was not including the Sedgwick County DA in the investigation, thereby violating jurisdiction procedure. You would think a seasoned litigator like Kline would have picked that up. Afterall, this was to be his “Swan Song” if you will. This entire case encapsulated his tenure as Attorney General. If I were Kline I would be embarrassed. Apparently he was a better politician then a lawyer. Go figure.
28 December 2006
at 2:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
ImpactWinter (Derek Dodson) says…
I think you sat down at the wrong side of the table, after the dinner's finished.
Kline was soundly unseated from elected office by voters who believe his personal crusade against an issue he vocally (ad nauseum) opposes was a misuse of taxpayers money, and his offices time.
His witchhunt into womens health clinics statewide has furthered an agenda of fear and intimidation designed to discourage women of all walks of life from recieving the professional medical care they may need.
I don't care about your moral views on the topic at hand; Kline is a power-abusing usurper who's wasted an awful lot of taxpayer cash chasing a private war against something legally protected (if ethically questionable)
28 December 2006
at 4:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
dlkrm (Anonymous) says…
Actually, the laws on the book in Kansas and 35 other states prohibit abortion. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has temporarily made those laws unenforceable, but thankfully that horrendous decision will soon be reversed. So I guess the “right-wing's” faith is the law of the land.
28 December 2006
at 5:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Baille (Anonymous) says…
“You would think a seasoned litigator like Kline would have picked that up.”
Sarcasm, right?
28 December 2006
at 6:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Stephen (Anonymous) says…
Please someone, just put the schmuck in a crate and send it to the congo
28 December 2006
at 7:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Godot (Anonymous) says…
right-thinker, gently, 30 weeks, not 30 months. But I know what you mean.
28 December 2006
at 7:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Baille (Anonymous) says…
This is not about Tiller. If Tiller is breaking or has broken the law then he should be held accountable.
Phill has been a horrible AG. There was a way to investigate this case in a way that was legally sound and efficacious. Phill just the limelight instead. Phill should have built his case quietlyand solidly so that by the time it was ready for court there wouldn't be all this hoopla during what should be a solemn and serious undertaking. Phill chose press conferences and publicity instead. He is a bomb-thrower and that is all he knows to do.
Furthermore, if ya'll want to believe that life begins at conception then you need to take your battle to the legislature. At this point you need federal legislation and a federal constitutional amendment to make abortions illegal. After all, trying to subvert our judicial system by trying to create activist judges is the wrong way to seek what amounts to a legilsative change.
And you will need a hell of a lot more than that to make abortions go away. Changing the law just makes it illegal. Women of all ages will still seek abortions even if you all manage to change the constitution. I am sure you will all be there to help. (Of course, when speaking with my friend who ran a home for unwed mothers it seemed they were always short of resources and volunteers. Why aren't you people in the trenches?)
You will also need to take on IVF, do something about ectopic pregnancies, and, if you want to stay morally consistent, start working to abolish the death penalty. IVF alone results in the destruction of many, many fertilized eggs - both those that don't implant, those that are destroyed after prolonged storage, and those that simply fall all the ground. Death of a human being?
28 December 2006
at 7:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Stephen (Anonymous) says…
Right thinker
Guess you can say the same for Bush, over 200,000 Iraqi people dead and still counting, and its just heating up. Tell me again, about your copassionate conservitive president that is making the whole world a better place. I mean after all those people who have died there were in fact living thier lives in peace, under moron for a leader. Kind of like our situation here.
28 December 2006
at 7:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
puppyfeathers (Anonymous) says…
Kline has done almost as much damage to the state of Kansas as the School Board of Education and the lovely Fred Phelps. He and Sentator Rick Santorum (Penn. R) should get together and forge some sort of cult. They seem to be driven by the biggest cult ever created anyway. The Christian righteousness have been performing post-partum “abortions” on thousand upon thousands of people for several centuries. Does anyone see the irony in this?
28 December 2006
at 7:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Stephen (Anonymous) says…
Jesus, save me from your followers
28 December 2006
at 8:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Godot (Anonymous) says…
Baille wrote: …”You will also need to take on IVF…”
Finally, a point of agreeance.
28 December 2006
at 9:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
livingstone (Anonymous) says…
For the extreme conservatives, not sure if you even realized that Jesus loved the poor, the homeless, those who have nothing… those Evangelists…. are too rich and simply behave too much like the Rabbis those days.
Kline, trying to prove that he is “religious”, like every conservatives.. fail to understand the importance of tolerance as Jesus preached. For the ultra religious and conservatives, look at Mother Teresa!
29 December 2006
at 8:03 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
craigers (Anonymous) says…
livingstone, Jesus was tolerant of others and let them have their beliefs. He was intolerant of sin and a life of it.
29 December 2006
at 10:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
dlkrm (Anonymous) says…
“Kline, trying to prove that he is “religious”, like every conservatives.. fail to understand the importance of tolerance as Jesus preached. For the ultra religious and conservatives, look at Mother Teresa!”
Ok. She opposed abortion with every fiber of her being. Your point?
29 December 2006
at 1:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
dlkrm (Anonymous) says…
“Sad thing is the right wing nuts in JOCO picked him as best qualified for county attorney.”
Wow, that's the first time Johnson County residents have ever been called right-wing nuts. Considering it is a premier RINO county in America, I guess that just shows how off the map Left Lawrence really is.
2 January 2007
at 11:17 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Defender (Anonymous) says…
“Judge Paul Clark and Sedgwick County DA Foulston are in the pocket of abortionist quack Tiller, as is Morrison, as is Sebelius.”
Please provide proof of your allegations. If you cannot, then you have nothing to substantiate your claim.
No proof=no point
2 January 2007
at 11:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Defender (Anonymous) says…
“Don't throw your convoluted far-left logic around too awful much, it makes you look real stupid.”
Then you should give up typing.