12:20 p.m.  (AP) — A Kansas judge is mulling over whether a Wichita abortion clinic operator can use the state’s stalking laws to force an anti-abortion activist to stay away from her.

Sedgwick County Judge James Beasley heard oral arguments Tuesday on a defense request to dismiss the case filed by the woman who opened Wichita’s first abortion clinic since abortion provider George Tiller was murdered in church.

Julie Burkhart won a temporary protection from stalking order earlier this year against Mark Holick, pastor of Spirit One Ministries. The pastor is accused of distributing “wanted-style” posters with Burkhart’s picture and home address.

Beasley says he will rule in 5-10 days. He says he realizes the case will have an effect on Burkhart and to the way Sedgwick County handles similar cases in the future.

 

 

5:30 a.m.  (AP) — A judge is expected to hear arguments over whether to toss out the stalking case filed by the woman who opened Wichita’s first abortion clinic since Dr. George Tiller’s murder.

The hearing Tuesday before Sedgwick County Judge James Beasley is the latest in a string of legal actions against abortion opponents since Tiller was gunned down in 2009 at his church.

In March, clinic operator Julie Burkhart won a temporary order of protection against stalking against Mark Holick, pastor of Spirit One Christian Ministries in Wichita.

Holick’s lawyer argues that if Burkhart succeeds, restraining orders will be sought against other protesters.

Burkhart filed the case after “wanted-style” fliers listing her home address surfaced. She accuses Holick of pointing a sign at her house that read, “Where’s your church?”