From the NY Times:  “WICHITA, Kan. — After years of investigations and four days of testimony, jurors here took just 45 minutes on Friday to acquit a controversial abortion doctor of charges that he performed 19 illegal late-term abortions in 2003.”

Dr. George Tiller showed little emotion as he was led from the courtroom by a sheriff’s deputy. 

This trial had attracted attention from both sides of the choice issue, and the court room was packed with Operation ‘rescue’ supporters.  

“The Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition in Washington, called the verdict “a setback.” Mr. Mahoney said that had jurors voted for conviction, “they would have put him out of business.” But Mr. Mahoney, who had predicted that the trial would “energize” anti-abortion forces, said it was a “very technical case” that was not relevant to other legal and legislative challenges to abortion.”

see: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/us/28abortion.html?ref=us