Abortion doctor enters plea

A physician who performs late-term abortions pleaded not guilty Friday to violating state law by consulting about the procedure with a doctor to whom he had financial ties.

Dr. George Tiller, one of the few U.S. doctors performing late-term abortions, turned himself in to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office for processing on misdemeanor charges and was released on his own recognizance, his attorney said.

Tiller was not in court when his attorneys entered the not-guilty plea on his behalf. State law requires two doctors to sign off on some late-term procedures, and says those physicians cannot have financial ties.