Not guilty plea in abortion case

The US man accused of killing Kansas abortion clinic doctor George Tiller has pleaded "not guilty" to murder.

Anti-abortion activist Scott Roeder, 51, did not speak during the court hearing, but his lawyer entered the plea on his behalf.

Dr Tiller was shot dead at his Wichita church on 31 May.

One of the church's ushers told the court on Tuesday that he had seen Mr Roeder put a gun to Dr Tiller's head and pull the trigger.

During cross-examination, the usher, Gary Hoepner, revealed that Mr Roeder had said something along the lines of "Lords, help me," before firing his weapon.

If he is found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated assault, Mr Roeder faces a life sentence.

Prosecutors have indicated that they will not be seeking the death penalty.

Dr Tiller, one of the few providers of late-term abortions in Kansas, had long been the target of protests from anti-abortion activists.

His clinic was heavily fortified after a bomb attack in 1986.