No deal reached in Kansas abortion threat case

? The government’s lawsuit against an abortion opponent accused of sending a threatening letter to a Wichita doctor appears headed for trial.

The Justice Department has sued Valley Center resident Angel Dillard under a law aimed at protecting access to abortion services.

Court records show a closed mediation session that took place Tuesday before a federal magistrate failed to produce a settlement. A trial was scheduled for early next year.

Federal authorities say Dillard warned Dr. Mila Means last year to check under her car every day because someone might place an explosive there. At the time, Means was training to offer abortions at her Wichita practice.

No abortions have been openly done in Wichita since Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed by an abortion opponent in 2009.