TOPEKA — Just moments after being sworn into office, Attorney General Paul Morrison today said he will fire the special prosecutor appointed by his predecessor Phill Kline in the abortion investigation.
Kline appointed attorney Don McKinney to lead efforts to charge George Tiller, a Wichita doctor, with performing illegal late term abortions. Tiller has denied any wrongdoing.
"There is no doubt about the fact that we're going to get rid of Mr. McKinney," Morrison said. He said the actual firing would probably happen later in the week.
In response to questions from reporters, Morrison said, "I'm going to revoke his powers as special prosecutor because I do not view him as being even remotely independent or remotely objective to view that."
Morrison also said he was concerned about the security of the investigation records, which include health records of girls and women who had abortions.
"I do have concerns about how many copies have been made of that material and who's got possession of them," he said.
McKinney of Wichita could not be immediately reached for comment.
Kline and McKinney are ardent opponents of abortion.
Kline last month filed charges against Tiller alleging he performed 15 illegal late-term abortions in 2003 on patients aged 10 to 22 and failed to properly report the details of the procedures to state health officials. But the misdemeanor charges filed in a Sedgwick County district court were dismissed over a jurisdiction issue.
Kline then appointed McKinney as a special prosecutor in the case, saying he didn't think Morrison would pursue the investigation.
But Morrison vowed to review the case that Kline has put together.
"If there are illegal abortions taking place in this state in violation of state law, I will enforce them. I'm very used to doing that and comfortable in doing that," Morrison said.
Comments
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commuter (anonymous) says…
Good for you Mr. Morrison. The job of the AG to prosecute people who break the law, not prosecute people who violate or disagree with your beliefs.
I am glad that I, a moderate Republican, voted for you, Mr. Morrison.
SettingTheRecordStraight (anonymous) says…
"'There is no doubt about the fact that we're going to get rid of Mr. McKinney,' Morrison said. 'I'm going to revoke his powers as special prosecutor because I do not view him as being even remotely independent or remotely objective to view that.'"
I wonder who Morrison will appoint to replace Mr. McKinney as special prosecutor in the illegal, late-term, under-age abortion case against Tiller.
preebo (anonymous) says…
I, for one, am not suprised. The concept of a special prosecutor was nothing more then a political stunt. There is no legal grounds for the Attorney General to sub-contract criminal prosecution out to a private firms. While it has been done in civil matters, it cannot be done in crimes against The People.
senegal66025 (anonymous) says…
$250,000 for the Morrison campaign. Tiller got his money's worth
Tychoman (anonymous) says…
I was at the inauguration ceremony this morning and I just wanted to give Morrison a slap on the back. I didn't though, for that would take me out of the good graces of the Capital Police.
ksmattfish (anonymous) says…
"Who's the chick with the smug look on her face standing behind Morrison? She's pretty cute. And she needs that look wiped off her face."
Woman beating: a classic conservative christian value.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
shirinisb (anonymous) says…
I am so glad I voted for this guy
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Did you honestly post a link to a Bill O'Reilly segment as proof?
Wow.
dozer (anonymous) says…
Gee Marion, maybe you can go back to the AG's Office and be a special investigator since you know everything about the case.
prioress (anonymous) says…
GIGO (garbage in; garbage out.) There are bigger fish to fry, folks.
GOPConservative (anonymous) says…
Boy, Morrison's decision really got the big-government, big-brother socialists up in arms today.
All but gullible fools who hate American values and the Constitution understand that the rightness or wrongness of abortion is not the issue here. Tiller is not the person who would have suffered by the carrying out the socialist mandates of the crackpot Kline. All law abiding people would have suffered by the loss of our Constitutional rights of privacy.
By protecting these women from big-brother government, Morrison is protecting all of us from a precedent that would have allowed our private medical records to be the property of the State without any evidence of crime on the part of the person whose records were being passed around to religious nutcases and other screwballs.
This is a great day for free enterprise and freedom in Kansas and a bad day for the repressive socialists and totalitarians.
ModerateJo (anonymous) says…
By protecting these women from big-brother government, Morrison is protecting all of us from a precedent that would have allowed our private medical records to be the property of the State without any evidence of crime on the part of the person whose records were being passed around to religious nutcases and other screwballs.
******************
You're trying to talk sense to people who have made jokes about beating women.
Tychoman (anonymous) says…
My post was removed? What on Earth did I say? Oh now I remember :) HAHAHA.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
lawrenceguy (anonymous) says…
"illegal, late term, under age": From what I understand, the case against tiller has to do with the medical reason given for the abortions. The abortions where legal if the health of the mother was threatened. Kline wanted to use this as a test case to the supreme court to get the "health of the mother" language either clarified, or more to his partisan liking - to be removed from the law.
"baby killer": Come on. Abortion is legal in America. You dont' have to have one if you choose not to. Name calling is childish and does not elevate the conversation. It's a partisan biased word game to make legal activities sound illegal.
whatupdown (anonymous) says…
10 years old; what kind of hell is her life
Centrist (anonymous) says…
Joke of the day:
Phill Kline
Centrist (anonymous) says…
*Still laughing about O'Reilly being used as a credible source of unbiased news*
shirinisb (anonymous) says…
I thought that the case was regarding statitory(sp) rape?
And that Kline was requesting the records to see whether or not girls were abused. I'm confused why the issue switched to 3rd trimester abortions.
Centrist (anonymous) says…
And for the record, to show I'm not a "Lefty" ...
Morrison should NOT be saying in public that he's going to fire someone BEFORE it happens. That's just not right.
I don't agree with that style either ...
Jamesaust (anonymous) says…
Well of course Morrison will fire this pretend investigator. There's anyone surprised that the new AG doesn't need others to do his work for him or "coach" him through the job?
Calliope877 (anonymous) says…
RT - Hi. I don't think people regard O'Riley's segment as "fake", I think they're pointing out that he is extremely bias when it comes to this issue, therefore he's not a credible source. He is incapable of looking at the subject in an objective way, and his "traditionalist," "conservative" opinions are just that-- his opinions, and they should be taken as such rather than actual fact because he's notorious for putting his own "spin" on a story in his "No Spin" zone.
oldgoof (anonymous) says…
I think rightwinger is probably Don McKinney
jmadison (anonymous) says…
By state law a medical provider must report suspected cases of child abuse to SRS who are charged with further investigation to see if child abuse occurred. The question in my mind is did Tiller report such to SRS. If a pregnancy occurred to an underage child as a result of rape or incest, he was duty bound to report such. There are supposed to be no exceptions to the reporting requirement.
Will Morrison investigate further, if indeed he did receive large campaign contributions from Tiller and his surrogates? Clearly, a possible conflict of interest seems to be present.
Dani (anonymous) says…
"Who's the chick with the smug look on her face standing behind Morrison? She's pretty cute. And she needs that look wiped off her face."
The chick behind him is his daughter, Mary Amanda. And the "smug look" is actually more likely a smile seeing as that photo was taken on election night and her father was giving a speech to a very loud crowd, accepting his new job.
You all need to be a lot less judgmental.
And just because Tiller launched an independent campaign to oust Phill Kline doesn't mean he's going to get any special favor from Morrison. Morrison is a real attorney and unlike his predecessor won't get special interest inspired tunnel vision.
John1945 (anonymous) says…
Morrison is still trying to peddle the nonsense that those records have personally identifiable data on them and they don't.
If he's not being honest about that what else is he being dishonest about?
The even bigger problem is that the media will never go after him in the way they went after Kline.
Kansas, as corrupt as you think it is.
yourworstnightmare (anonymous) says…
Morrison makes a good point about the records of the investigation. How many have copies of the private medical records of Kansans? How widely did Philllll distibute copies of these private medical records?
We know Bill O'Reilly probably has a copy, and I would imagine the Operation rescue wackos have one or more.
jimincountry (anonymous) says…
Tiller should move his operation to Lawrence where he has such obvious support.
yourworstnightmare (anonymous) says…
Surely, jmadison, what you say is true. However, Kline pursued none of these things but just used them as cover to harrass a legal enterpise with which he disagrees.
If there was evidence of failure to report as you suggest, apparently Kline did not find it compelling enough to warrant charges.
Kline was only able to muster charges about Tiller reporting reasons for late-term abortions, as described above by logicsound.
This grasping at straws just underscores that this entire investigation was an ideologically-driven crusade against something legal with which Kline disagrees on religious grounds.
John1945 (anonymous) says…
Gee, I wonder whether or not Tiller contacted anyone in authority about the 10 year old rape victim?
It would seem that protecting liberalism's sacrament of abortion is more important than the rape of a child both to Morrison, and his supporters.
Kansas, as corrupt as you think it is.
jmadison (anonymous) says…
Also remember that Sebelius vetoed a measure passed by both chambers of the Kansas legislature that pertained to inspections of clinics providing abortions. I believe that Sebelius has received funding from Tiller in previous election runs.
rhd99 (anonymous) says…
hahahahahahaha! in your face, boldaq & all Kline supporters & Tiller haters! eat my shorts!
ryanjasondesch (anonymous) says…
There's so much crying on here today, I can't even bear to read it all. What a bunch of unfettered republican propaganda from a bunch of civil rights haters. I thought conservatives were supposed to oppose government intrusion into personal choices. So once again I ask, why are Republicans such automatons that need demogagues like Kline, Bush, O'Reilly and their local religion broker to tell them what to believe? And why, why do they hate America so much? Just three words do describe you are as follows and I quote: "Stink, stank, stunk!"
Godot (anonymous) says…
Since when does an ob-gyn have the authority to diagnose depression and prescribe a treatment of abortion/mutilation/subjection to forced labor ending in still birth as the best course of treatment? How can that be considered a valid medical solution to depression?
Is there any psychiatrist who would say that the Tiller style of late term abortion is the absolute best way to treat a depressed woman who is pregnant?
Godot (anonymous) says…
shadower, answer the question.
Dani (anonymous) says…
I'm pro-choice but I agree that abortion is a pretty ridiculous treatment for depression. The problem is that the law, as it's written, allows for late-term abortions when a woman's mental health is at risk. Going after Tiller isn't going to stop that, no matter how despicable he may be. If people want change they should write to their legislators, write to the Governor, have a rally at the Capitol or something else to try to change the law.
John1945 (anonymous) says…
The proof of the charges has been presented to two judges, both of whom thought there was sufficient evidence for charges to be filed. The problem isn't with the evidence, the problem is that George Tiller has spent his money wisely and is now above the law in both Wichita and the state of Kansas.
Kansas, as corrupt as you think it is.
hottruckinmama (anonymous) says…
i cannot believe that their are many people in our state (outside of lawrence) that think that laws that allow late term abortion in our state are a good thing. is there not some way that it can be put to vote?
Godot (anonymous) says…
shadower, can you not respond to a hypotethical situation, basing your response on your deeply held moral beliefs and knowledge of medical practice?
beatrice (anonymous) says…
"Everyone hates christian believers." I know, and the way the whole nation took the day off when Christians honor the birth of Jesus, just so we could taunt you. That certainly proves your point.
"your beloved Socialists Party is already unraveling, and they're less than one week into their rein." Yep, they are already busy unraveling some of the knots the Bush administration has put the country in. One for all and all for one.
"could you possibly entertain the idea that conservatives are irrelevant?" Well, except for them still holding 49 of 100 senate seats, and the presidency. Besides that, I guess you could call them irrelevant.
"You all need to be a lot less judgmental." And who are you to say what others should ... oh, wait, I actually agree with that one.
Nu uh, you are. No! you are.
Debate used to mean something in this country.
Godot (anonymous) says…
The law that was passed by the Kansas legislature would not have been necessary had it not been for the over-reaching of a supreme court that made up a "right to abortion."
The fault was not in the law that Kansas legislators passed, it was in the anti-constitutional actions of the supreme court justices who ruled in favor of Roe v Wade.
hottruckinmama (anonymous) says…
shadower just threw out a thought and a simple question no need to get an attitude.
chic (anonymous) says…
I thought Republicans (and all conservatives) were FOR less government intrusion in individual's lives....? Oh, yah, I forgot - except when someone makes an individual decision THEY don't agree with. Sorry, forgot about that one....
John1945 (anonymous) says…
The bigotry of the Journal World's forums never ceases to amaze me. And the winner of today's most demeaning and bigoted post - envelope please. Why, look, it's shadower. Congratulations shadower. Your posts, meaningless as they are have passed muster with the JW's watchdogs.
Wonder if this one will? (Knowing how even handed they are.)
Kansas, as corrupt, bigoted and sick as you think it is.
Godot (anonymous) says…
There is a controversy now about parents of a disabled female child (one who will never be able to care for herself) who chose to subject her to medical treatments that will keep her the size of a child for the remainder of her life, denying her of the opportunity to become a woman, but giving the parents the convenience of caring for their daughter who has the mental capacity of a small child, as a physcially small child, until death.
I think this situation is germaine to the issue of late-term abortion.
I would like to know how pro-choicers and pro-lifers weigh in on this situation.
hottruckinmama (anonymous) says…
perhaps you are right and i certainly don't think that we should vote on every law that they want to pass or repeal. however this one is such an politically/emotionally charged one i think maybe it should be voted on.
c'mon i cannot believe that there too many folks in our state that think this type of thing is okay.
hottruckinmama (anonymous) says…
godot i heard about that on the news last night and my first thought was that it was pretty bizarre. i'm suprised that they were able to find a doctor willing to do that but i suppose with enough money anything is possible...although i would have thought that the money would have been better spent hiring in home care assistants if their goal was to be able to keep her home and care for her themselves.
i would not be suprised if the disablity rights people won't be all over it and they probably should be.
Roadkill_Rob (anonymous) says…
Sorry I'm late...out of town and just got online.
I'm glad to see some of the usual dumba$$ remarks by my right_wing friends.
Since ljworld hasn't covered it yet, I wonder what the consensus is so far about the possible stem cell possibilities found in the amniotic fluid? Is amniotic fluid life?
I can't wait for the hypocricies on this topic!!!!
Tychoman (anonymous) says…
Oh I finally get why my jokes (unfinished) were removed. I didn't get the irony of making misogynist jokes on an abortion-leaning thread. My bad, my apologies everybody.
Newell_Post (anonymous) says…
Kline, McKinney, and their fellow travelers have the right in our system to be religious fanatics. They do not have the right to be theo-fascists, which is what they are. They are attempting to subvert the government in general and the first amendment in particular in order to compel or coerce everyone to support their chosen faction of their chosen religion. All else is smoke and mirrors. Thank you AG Morrison.
John1945 (anonymous) says…
Hmmmm..... Newell_Post, late coming competition for the most hateful post of the day. Very good.
I don't know if I can take back the award from shadower this late in the day. Perhaps you could spew some spittle laced comment for tomorrow's competition.... perhaps stay up until midnight and get an early start.
Thanks, appreciate it.
shirinisb (anonymous) says…
I wonder what percentage of the past 104 posts have been women....
Something tells me this isn't about abortion.
hannah2u (anonymous) says…
Tiller should be in jail but Morrison, & the Gov are not going to bite the hand that feeds their campaign. This man is butchering children (ranging in age from 10-16) and no one in our local government cares. Shame on these people. They'll never get my vote.
hannah2u (anonymous) says…
Tiller should be in jail but Morrison, & the Gov are not going to bite the hand that feeds their campaign. This man is butchering children (ranging in ages from 10-16) and no one in our local government cares. Shame on these people. They'll never get my vote.
shirinisb (anonymous) says…
wow you can abort 10 year old children?
John1945 (anonymous) says…
One of Tiller's victims was a ten year old. I know you good liberal folks find that humorous, but us funny religious types think raping 10 year olds is "morally wrong". Silly us.
Kansas, come, rape our children.
shirinisb (anonymous) says…
Woah nellie- How are you to know that I am a liberal?
I believe that child molesters should get the death penalty. In fact I'm willing to admister a shotgun blow to the head to anyone who comes near my child in a threatening manner.
I also believe that dirty politicians (Kline) should go to prison and stop trying to make last stitch efforts to waste our tax dollars on some false concern such as abortion. You obviously don't have any idea what being "conservative" means.
Tiller didn't rape a 10 year old as far as I know. If your 10 year old got pregnant, John 1945, would you allow her the risk of giving birth, knowing well that she will be scared for life?? Since she would be 10, that means it was rape. Are you telling me that the anger you show here is going to allow you to raise a child of rape?
Come the heck on here. Seriously.
yankeelady (anonymous) says…
I think you are right shirinsib, mostly male posters, at least the rabid anti choice folks, and it has never been about abortion, it is about control
Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…
yankeelady:
How right you are.
I have said this before and will say it again
When human life begins is a philsopical or religious belief - one that, if enshrined in law, would give a subordinate role of the woman to the protection of the unborn.
Sperm and eggs are alive and potential humans, but most are wasted. Is this murder, too?
It is not only about control, yankeelady, but about fear of women and the power they wield.
laughingatallofu (anonymous) says…
Oh my gosh,
John1945 is back.
What a treat!
Godot (anonymous) says…
Valkyrie_of_Reason, if it takes males to preserve and protect the species, then, so be it. However, I happen to be personally and intimately involved with many feminists who oppose the type of unlimited, on-demand-abortion-in-the-name-of-convenience you defend.
Katara (anonymous) says…
Godot writes: "However, I happen to be personally and intimately involved with many feminists who oppose the type of unlimited, on-demand-abortion-in-the-name-of-convenience you defend."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I imagine they are feminists because they believe they have the right to control their own bodies. They would get to choose to give birth if they were pregnant.
Unfortunately, your "feminist" friends, Godot, would deny the right of other women to control their own bodies and their own course in life.
Males to preserve & protect the species...interesting considering that the majority of our genes are passed down from X-chromosome.
As for protection, I didn't realize women were not allowed to use weapons. Strange. And, darn the luck, I guess that means I can't have a CCL.
Don't get me wrong. I don't hate the men at all. I just feel sorry for them. They are the weaker sex. You all have to marry us just to live longer ;p
Wilbur_Nether (anonymous) says…
Yesterday at 5:50 p.m. Dani suggested "You all need to be a lot less judgmental."
Yeah, like THAT'S going to happen.
Katara (anonymous) says…
Posted by Godot (anonymous) on January 8, 2007 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There is a controversy now about parents of a disabled female child (one who will never be able to care for herself) who chose to subject her to medical treatments that will keep her the size of a child for the remainder of her life, denying her of the opportunity to become a woman, but giving the parents the convenience of caring for their daughter who has the mental capacity of a small child, as a physcially small child, until death.
I think this situation is germaine to the issue of late-term abortion.
I would like to know how pro-choicers and pro-lifers weigh in on this situation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How about actually finding out the real info as to why they made their decision regarding their daughter?
http://ashleytreatment.spaces.live.com/
As for being germaine to the abortion topic, you are incorrect there.
Ashley's parents intended to have children. The pregnancy was planned & wanted. There were no signs of any problems with the pregnancy or the fetus. The birth was normal.
It wasn't until her parents & her doctor realized she was not meeting her developmental milestones that there was a problem.
So, no, this really is not germaine to the topic of abortion.
Tychoman (anonymous) says…
Godot are you suggesting that women and pro-choicers are to stupid to be trusted preserving and protecting the species? As if. The human race is in no danger of going extinct, if anything there's too many of us. I don't see why you pro-lifers are pulling the population card.
Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…
Plain and simple Tychoman, religion.
maryamandam (anonymous) says…
To whom it may concern about "Who's the chick with the smug look on her face standing behind Mr. Morrison." That would be me, Mary Amanda Morrison, also known as his daughter. I had a "smug" look on my face due to a very sunny sky and lack of sunglasses. Well, or, I could just be a major bad ass like my dad. In my opinon, I would think twice before making a comment like that. You just don't know who might read it.
davidsmith (anonymous) says…
J