role in one of the most divisive legal and social controversies of our times . It faded for a time , as Tiller 's death led to the closure of Wichita 's last abortion clinic , and activists on both sides shifted their focus elsewhere . But the trial of Tiller 's admitted shooter , Scott Roeder , again stirred talk of abortion in the bars and coffee shops of a city where most have steeled themselves for years against noisy protests and graphic images of fetuses . Roeder was convicted Friday of first-degree murder . After the jury 's swift verdict -- they deliberated for just 37 minutes -- many in Wichita are hoping the abortion controversy will fade . `` After he receives his sentence on March 9 -- preferably the Hard 50 , as District Attorney Nola Foulston is requesting -- he 'll also get the consequence . And then may we never hear from him again , '' blogged an editorial writer for the local newspaper , The Wichita Eagle . `` Maybe this will get things back to normal now , seeing as there 's not much reason for abortion to be such a big
Wichita , Kansas -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Major King remembers a time before the abortion debate came to his hometown , a time when Wichita , Kansas , was known as the air capital of the world . Manufacturers such as Learjet , Cessna and Beechcraft were the backbone of a tight-knit community where God-fearing folks like King would canoe after school in the Arkansas River and drag the streets `` in slick cars with a nice-looking honey '' on weekends . Times have changed , says King , 70 , a retired oil refinery worker who also spent time at Cessna . `` Now , Wichita 's known as the abortion capital of the world . '' It 's a label shunned by many Wichitans , regardless of their views on abortion . They 'd rather be known for the restaurants and entertainment venues , quality schools and affordable housing that make Wichita one of the nation 's `` best-kept secrets , '' King says . But the May 31 , 2009 , slaying of Dr. George Tiller , a prominent abortion provider gunned down in church during Sunday services , focused national attention back on Wichita and its