Kline continued on Tiller case / LJWorld.com

Archive for Monday, May 5, 2008

By John Hanna - Associated Press Writer

May 5, 2008

Topeka — Phill Kline didn't abandon attempts to prosecute Wichita abortion provider Dr. George Tiller after leaving the attorney general's office, recently unsealed court records show.

Kline transferred copies of edited patient records he'd received from Tiller's clinic as attorney general to the Johnson County district attorney's office, three days before leaving the state job and taking over the county office in January 2007.

He had possession of the copies for three months before a Shawnee County district judge told him to give them up. But, according to a transcript, the same judge said during a hearing that Kline saw a link between Tiller's activities and a Planned Parenthood clinic in Overland Park - and possible wrongdoing.

Kline, a district attorney, has filed 107 charges against the Planned Parenthood clinic, accusing it of performing illegal abortions and falsifying documents. Planned Parenthood contends the charges are unfounded and is pursuing a lawsuit against Kline before the Kansas Supreme Court.

Planned Parenthood's case was sealed at its request and remained closed for 11 months, until last week, when the high court unsealed it and made hundreds of pages of documents public. Some discussed Kline's handling of records from Tiller's clinic and efforts to investigate the Sedgwick County doctor from Johnson County.

Kline declined to discuss his interest in Tiller's activities after leaving the attorney general's office. Abortion rights advocates believe his interest was driven by his opposition to abortion and a desire to close both clinics.

"I categorically deny that there's any connection whatsoever, any impropriety," said Lee Thompson, a Wichita attorney who represents Tiller. "It is a bogus, politically motivated product of a misogynistic politician."

Kline began investigating both clinics in 2003, when he was attorney general. Kline eventually obtained edited copies of records from the files of 60 Tiller patients and 29 Planned Parenthood patients.

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5 May 2008
at 7:28 a.m.

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SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…

Lee Thompson calling an abortion opponent “misogynistic” shows how unfamiliar he is with the views of the pro-life movement. Abortion opponents are all about protecting women.
5 May 2008
at 11:04 a.m.

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BrianR (Anonymous) says…

“Abortion opponents are all about protecting women.”You have that exactly backwards.Kline is dangerous. I expect that one day he'll try to prosecute someone in a foreign country, I mean, it's only a matter of time.
5 May 2008
at 2:29 p.m.

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RABdad (Richard Boyd) says…

Does this “great revelation” come as a surprise to anybody?This is why we as Kansans should always remember just how BAD it is to elect people who cannot see the difference between the state and religion. Mixing your beliefs with your civics works out well for you if you get your guy in there, but since you can't win them all… then what?After all, (many combinations: Hindu: Buddhist or Muslim: Jew) would the “Evangelicals” be happy if, say a “Catholic” or “Mormon” got elected and set policy based on religion, and follow the very religious, proud and time honored tradition (I did not insert a specific faith here on purpose) which dictates that at all times followers must; 1. Consider that [MY, OUR church, denomination, synod etc.] is “right” (correct interpretation, doctrine etc.) and 2. Yours is “wrong” and therefore you are “misguided” (more eclectic) at a minimum or “going to H_LL” at a maximum (more fanatical). The framers were no dummies