WICHITA , Kansas -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- An anti-abortion activist suspected in the death of Kansas doctor George Tiller told CNN on Tuesday the closing of Tiller 's women 's clinic is `` a victory for all the unborn children . '' Scott Roeder , charged in the death of Dr. George Tiller , spoke to CNN on Tuesday . Scott Roeder , 51 , would not admit to CNN 's Ted Rowlands that he killed Tiller , who was gunned down at his church May 31 . But he said if he is convicted in Tiller 's slaying , `` the entire motive was the defense of the unborn . '' Tiller 's family said Tuesday the clinic he headed will permanently close , effective immediately , and they would issue no more statements . At the time Roeder was interviewed Tuesday , word of the permanent closure had not come out -- but when told the clinic had been shuttered since Tiller 's death , he said , `` Good . '' Roeder said the closure would mean `` no more slicing and dicing of the unborn child in the mother 's womb and no more needles of poison into the baby 's heart to stop the heart from beating , and no more partial-birth abortions . '' Watch Rowlands describe Roeder 's mood during interview '' Dan Monnat , Tiller 's attorney , declined to respond to Roeder 's comments on the family 's behalf . But in an e-mail , he added , `` Speaking for myself ... I am reluctant to in any way legitimize Mr. Roeder , or anything he stands for , by directly responding to his statements . `` I am content to let law enforcement determine whether anything he says merits attention . I do not encourage anyone else to give Mr. Roeder or his extremist views any additional attention as he awaits trial , '' Monnat wrote . Tiller , 67 , was one of the few U.S. doctors who performed late-term abortions . He had already survived one attempt on his life before he was slain , and the announcement by Tiller 's family dismayed supporters of abortion rights . Nancy Keenan , the president of Washington-based NARAL Pro-Choice America , called Tiller 's killing `` part of an ongoing pattern of extreme anti-choice violence and intimidation '' aimed at depriving women of a legal medical option . `` It is a sad day for our country when family members who stood by their husband and father as he endured countless anti-choice attacks are forced as a result of his murder to make a decision like this one , '' Keenan said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon . Nancy Northup , president of the Center for Reproductive Rights , expressed hope that other doctors `` will be brave enough to come forward and continue Dr. Tiller 's critical work of providing services to women . '' `` It is unacceptable that anti-abortion intimidation and violence has led to the closing of Dr. Tiller 's clinic . It illustrates the ongoing harassment endured by abortion providers and the resulting disservice to women across this country , '' Northup said . Roeder is jailed on first-degree murder and aggravated assault charges in Tiller 's death . A Kansas judge earlier this month set his bail at $ 5 million . Tiller 's family said Tuesday it is `` proud of the service and courage shown by our husband and father , '' and that it would honor his memory `` through private charitable activities . '' The statement promised his patients `` that the privacy of their medical histories and patient records will remain as fiercely protected now and in the future as they were during Dr. Tiller 's lifetime . '' Peter Brownlie , president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri , said he and his staff `` fully respect and understand '' the family 's decision . `` Their loss is immense -- they have lost a husband , father , grandfather and hero , '' Brownlie said in a statement . But the closure of Tiller 's clinic `` creates a significant gap in access for women and families in Kansas , '' he continued . `` No one is providing that service between Kansas City and Denver . '' Most of the leading U.S. anti-abortion groups have condemned Tiller 's killing and disavowed Roeder , saying they wanted Tiller 's clinic shut down , but through peaceful means . Troy Newman , the president of one of those organizations , Operation Rescue , said in a statement on the group 's Web site Tuesday that his group is `` thankful that Tiller 's clinic will not reopen and thankful that Wichita is now abortion-free . '' But he added , `` This is a bittersweet moment for us at Operation Rescue . We have worked very hard for this day , but we wish it would have come through the peaceful , legal channels we were pursuing . '' Operation Rescue and other Kansas anti-abortion activists had supported a criminal investigation by former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline , a petition drive to empanel a special grand jury to investigate the practice and efforts to get his medical license revoked . On its Web site , the group referred to Tiller as a `` monster '' who had `` been able to get away with murder . '' But in a New York Times interview last week , Newman said closing the clinic because of the shooting would be cause for concern . `` Good God , do not close this abortion clinic for this reason , '' he said . `` Every kook in the world will get some notion . '' Roeder met with Rowlands for a half-hour Tuesday , talking on a phone through security glass at the Sedgwick County jail where he is being held . He initially was reluctant to talk , as he said he had been misquoted in another interview . But he gradually opened up , noting that he was giving the interview against the advice of his defense attorney . Roeder told CNN he is `` feeling good , '' and getting encouraging letters from people around the country , many of whom he does not know . But he complained about conditions in the jail , saying he does n't like being in solitary confinement and that the jail is `` freezing . '' Associates have told CNN that Roeder was a regular among the protesters who routinely gathered at Tiller 's clinic . Roeder 's former roommate , Eddie Ebecher , has told CNN Roeder was `` obsessed '' with Tiller and in the past had debated whether to kill him . Relatives said Roeder had suffered from mental illness over the years and had refused treatment at times . He served prison time in Kansas in the late 1990s after being arrested with explosives in his car , but his conviction was overturned on appeal . But Roeder said Tuesday that reports he has mental illness or schizophrenia are `` totally wrong . '' He acknowledged having a drug problem at one point , but said he has been off drugs since he was 28 years old and has no mental illness . Rowlands said he attempted to discuss Tiller 's death with Roeder , pointing out that there were witnesses to the shooting and its aftermath who claim they saw Roeder leaving the scene and got a license plate from the car . Roeder nodded , Rowlands said , but still would not admit any culpability . But `` He did n't say , ' I did n't do it , ' '' Rowlands said . `` He did n't say , ` Get me out of here , I 'm the wrong guy . ' '' Federal civil rights prosecutors have launched an investigation into Tiller 's slaying , the Justice Department has said . The inquiry will focus on violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and other applicable federal laws . Roeder was concerned about the possibility of federal charges , saying his lawyer has warned him that he will be facing them if he does n't stop talking . CNN 's Michael Cary contributed to this report .