Opening statements were made, Monday, against George Tiller, the late-term abortion provider in Wichita, Kan.

The trial is generating national interest from both sides of the abortion debate.

Tiller is being charged with 19 misdemeanors, alleging he failed to obtain a second opinion from an independent doctor for late-term abortions.

CBN News spoke with reporter Cayle Thompson, who is covering the trial for KAKE-TV in Wichita.  Click play to hear all of his comments on the case.

"The courtroom holds roughly 25 people and there are that many at least packed in to watch this case, all from what appears to be from the pro-life movement who have come out to watch this case," he explained.

Thompson added that lawyers would likely try to present Tiller as a doctor who did all he could to abide by the law but was misled and therefore didn't intend to break the law.

If Tiller is convicted, he could be sentenced to up to a year in jail and face fines for each of the charges against him.