By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

The outspoken leaders of anti-abortion groups can save their feeble "we're shocked and saddened" statements. They are privately pleased at George Tiller's murder on Sunday.

They have wanted Tiller out of the way for years. He has been fought in the courts, and won. He has been shot before, and survived.

But not this time, not when a (likely) anti-abortion nut got too close and killed Tiller at a church service.

People who genuinely abhor the killing of unborn children -- and there are many of these well-meaning people in the anti-abortion movement -- have a right to be very worried right now.

Yes, there is likely to be a backlash against the anti-abortion movement from Americans who abhor the killing of someone just because he or she disagrees with your view.

George Tiller performed a legal service as a physician. Yes, it was controversial, and it endangered his life.

But the kind of movement that wanted Tiller dead finally succeeded in their cause on Sunday. It's a stain on their cause, one that will last many years.