Print edition: 
An eBay auction planned by abortion foes to raise money for the man accused of killing George Tiller will not be permitted, company officials said Tuesday.
"Based on the details we know about the anticipated listings, we believe these would violate our policy regarding offensive material," the company said in a statement issued to the Kansas City Star.
The announcement came the same day that Tiller's family implored eBay to prevent the auction.
"These materials contain hate messages, glorify violence against abortion doctors who provide constitutionally protected medical services, and instruct on means of violence, including bombing, of abortion clinics," said Lee Thompson, an attorney for the Tiller family, in a letter sent to eBay on Tuesday and approved by Tiller's widow, Jeanne.
"We urge you to deny access to the resources of eBay for this reprehensible and vile 'auction.' "
The auction was intended to raise money for the defense of Scott Roeder, who is charged with first-degree murder in Tiller's death and is scheduled to go on trial in January. Roeder is being represented by public defenders.
Roeder's supporters are encouraging him to use a "necessity defense," saying that Tiller's killing May 31 was an act of justifiable homicide. Some abortion opponents charged with violent crimes have tried to use such a defense, but with little success.
Those working on the fundraiser said banning the auction was a violation of their rights.
"They're not only chilling the First Amendment of the Constitution, they're raping the whole Constitution," said Regina Dinwiddie, a Kansas City abortion opponent and friend of Roeder.
The controversy arose after The Star published an article Sunday about the auction. Items being donated included an "Army of God" manual, a prison cookbook compiled by a woman serving time for abortion clinic bombings and arsons, and several autographed drawings submitted by Roeder.
Roeder's ex-wife, Lindsey Roeder, said she was thrilled that the auction was being rejected. She said she contacted eBay on Monday to voice her concerns.
"I believe that this auction could incite more violence on abortion clinics and doctors," she wrote in an e-mail to eBay. "I do not believe that canceling this auction will in any way hinder Scott's right to an adequate defense, as he has a good team of public defenders. . . ."
It its statement, eBay said the company "does not allow listings that promote or glorify violence, hate, racial or religious intolerance."
"We do not allow items that encourage, promote, facilitate or instruct others to engage in illegal activity and will not be a platform for those who promote violence toward others."
Dave Leach, an Iowa abortion opponent who was organizing the auction, said eBay's policy was ambiguous.
"They won't allow anything that glorifies violence, they say. Wasn't World War II a bit violent?" he said.". . . Isn't the Bible sold on eBay? I can't even imagine how eBay could rewrite its policy in a way that targets us without targeting a huge slice of its customers."
