(CNN) -- A Kansas jury deliberated just 37 minutes before convicting an anti-abortion activist of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of an abortion provider. The  jury found Scott Roeder, 51, guilty of gunning down Dr. George Tiller, who operated a clinic in Wichita where late-term abortions were performed. Roeder, 51, faces life in prison when he is sentenced on March 9. Tiller's family said the jury reached a "just" verdict. "At this time we hope that George can be remembered for his legacy of service to women, the help he provided for those who needed it and the love and happiness he provided us as a husband, father and grandfather," the family said in a written statement.
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Scott Roeder convicted of first-degree murder
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Jury reaches verdict after about 40 minutes of deliberation
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Roeder testified he does not regret killing Dr. George Tiller
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Tiller ran a women's clinic where he performed abortions in Wichita, Kansas
Scott Roeder
Roeder
Scott Roeder
Roeder
Eventually, the abortion issue took center stage as prosecutors portrayed Tiller as a target of @placeholder's anti-abortion agenda, and defense lawyers attempted to mitigate his culpability under the theory that he believed Tiller's death was justified to save the lives of others.
George Tiller
Tiller
George
George Tiller
Tiller
Jurors heard emotional testimony from church-goers who rushed to @placeholder's side and attempted to administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as he lay in a pool of blood.
Scott Roeder
Roeder
Scott Roeder
Roeder
Others, meanwhile, followed @placeholder into the church parking lot, where he threatened to shoot them.
Kansas
Kansas
"There is no imminence of danger on a Sunday morning in the back of a church, let alone any unlawful conduct, given that what Tiller did at his clinic Monday through Friday is lawful in @placeholder," the judge said.