Contact: Troy Newman, President, 316-841-1700; Cheryl Sullenger, Senior Policy Advisor, 316-516-3034, both with Operation Rescue, info@operationrescue.org

WICHITA, Kansas, August 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- Judge Clark V. Owens has been appointed to replace Judge Anthony Powell on the highly charged criminal case against abortionist George R. Tiller, who is charged with 19 counts of committing illegal post-viability abortions. Tiller could face up to 19 years in jail if convicted on all counts.

Owens was appointed to the case today by Chief Judge of the District Court Michael Corrigan.

Judge Owens once served as an Assistant District Attorney and head of the Sedgwick County Republican Party. No campaign finance records for Judge Owens were on file at the Sedgwick County Elections Office.

"We could have done a lot worse," said Operation Rescue spokesperson Cheryl Sullenger. "It is our understanding that Judge Owens is known to be a fair man and is very popular in the community. We are cautiously optimistic that this case can now proceed in a fair and open manner. But as always, we remain vigilant."

Judge Powell recued himself from the case last week after the media published comments he had made over 10 years ago that were critical of Tiller made during his time as a Kansas Legislator.

About Operation Rescue

Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation.  Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America.  Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates.