'This smacks of a political payoff,' says Operation Rescue.

Contact: Troy Newman, President, 316-841-1700; Cheryl Sullenger, Outreach & Media Coordinator, 316-516-3034; both with Operation Rescue 

TOPEKA, Kansas, Feb. 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- A motion to reinstate 30 criminal charges against abortionist George R. Tiller has been pulled from the Kansas Supreme Court by Attorney General Paul Morrison's office, before the Court could issue a ruling on the motion.

"It looks like the motion was pulled by Morrison to prevent a likely ruling that would have allowed the criminal case against Tiller to move forward. This smacks of a political payoff. It makes us wonder how much corruption this state is willing to overlook," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

Morrison is an abortion supporter who had pledged during his campaign for office that he would drop all investigations into abortion clinics that were being conducted by then-Attorney General Phill Kline. Morrison benefited during the campaign from hundreds of thousands of dollars of campaign aid funneled through third-party groups linked directly to Tiller.

Special Prosecutor Don McKinney had filed the motion with the Kansas Supreme Court in an effort to reinstate 30 criminal charges against Tiller related to the commission of illegal late-term abortions. Those charges had been filed by former Attorney General Phill Kline, but abruptly dropped when District Attorney Nola Foulston, who also has connections to Tiller, convinced Judge Paul Clark to do so based on jurisdictional issues. Morrison has earlier pledged that he would not withdraw the motion. Morrison fired McKinney on his second day in office.

Campaign finance documents show a connection of political support between Tiller, Foulston, Clark, and Morrison.

"We need to be asking why the DA and the Attorney General would go to such lengths to keep the case against Tiller from moving forward, even to the point of risking the obvious appearance of corruption. What are they afraid of?" asked Newman. "It must not be forgotten that this case has never been dismissed on its merits. In fact, every judge that has reviewed the evidence has ruled that there is probable cause to believe that Tiller committed the crimes."

Operation Rescue, in conjunction with other national pro-life groups, has requested a federal investigation into why officials in Kansas will not enforce state laws.

"As long as Foulston and Morrison continue to protect Tiller from being held accountable in a court of law, this case will never go away. Rest assured that every legal avenue is being explored and pursued to ensure that Tiller is brought to justice," said Newman.