WICHITA, Kansas (CNN) -- 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
WICHITA , Kansas ( CNN ) -- 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
What did he say was his motive?
What did he say was his motive ?
the defense of the unborn."
the defense of the unborn."