Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Pro-lifer Seriously Injured: Clinic Receptionist Shouts: “He got what he deserved!”
TFP ^ | 12/28/2007

Posted on 12/28/2007 10:57:18 PM PST by Coleus

At 6:30 am on Saturday, December 22, while most were snug in bed, resting up for Christmas activities, veteran pro-lifer Ed Snell was arriving at Hillcrest Abortion Center, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  He had come with two other activists to persuade women entering the clinic not to abort their pre-born children.

The group customarily meets at the clinic and has saved many lives.  In fact, they have been so effective, that the clinic erected a 7-foot privacy fence to cut off all communication between the women and the pro-lifers.  However, their efforts were scuttled, when the activists began bringing ladders so they could speak over the fence.  Mr. Snell, age 69, preferred to stand on a more solid foundation, so he constructed a plywood platform on the roof of his car to elevate him above the fence.

“This platform gives him a real steady base and a commanding view,” said fellow activist and eyewitness John McTernan.  As Ed stood on his platform that morning, a man and woman exited a car in the parking lot and proceeded towards that door of the abortion mill.  When Mr. Snell tried to counsel the woman, his words were cut short when the man became furious, jumped the fence and, in the words of Mr. McTernan, “leaped on the vehicle with Ed and catapulted him off of the vehicle and onto the ground.” Mr. Snell hit his back and head on the pavement and was knocked unconscious.

His medical report outlines the extent of his injuries: “multiple trauma, right subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the area between the brain and the tissues that cover the brain), compression fractures of four vertebrae (T3, T4, T5 and T10), right scapula fracture and fracture of the fourth and fifth ribs.”  Before doctors were able to stop the bleeding in his head, they even feared Mr. Snell would die.  When asked on the phone about the vicious attack, the receptionist at Hillcrest Abortion Clinic refused to give a recorded statement and angrily shouted: “He got what he deserved!  He earned what he got!”  She then hung up the phone.

Immediately after the attack, Mr. McTernan ran over to Ed and was frightened to see that he was unconscious and breathing irregularly.  He reported the attack to “911” and then shouted to the assailant: “You assaulted him and he is unconscious.”  Agitated, the man replied: “I did not assault him, I just pushed him,” with an aggressiveness that made Mr. McTernan fearful for his own safety. Ed was taken away in an ambulance and three police officers arrived to investigate.  They went into the clinic, where the assailant was waiting.  After a few moments, the assailant and his companion left the clinic freely, got into their car and drove away. Shocked, Mr. McTernan shouted to the police: “What are you doing?  That’s him!  That’s the assailant!” 

One cop replied: “It is none of your business!” 

Mr. McTernan: “I am making it my business, Ed Snell is my good friend!”

The officer then threatened to arrest Mr. McTernan for interfering with a criminal investigation.  Mr. Mcternan replied: “Go ahead and arrest me, I am not afraid.  I want to know why the assailant walked away from this scene where an elderly man was left unconscious.  We have excellent attorneys and we will sue you if you do not do your job.” She angrily responded: “Don’t threaten me or I will arrest you!”  She then returned to the police car and drove away.  At the time this article was written, the Harrisburg Police Department had not returned a phone call requesting a statement on the incident. Once the extent of Mr. Snell’s injuries were discovered, the assailant was arrested.  Nevertheless, as Mr. McTernan put it: “I cannot imagine me [as a pro-lifer], striking someone connected with Hillcrest [Abortion Center], knocking them unconscious, the police coming, the injured person being taken away in an ambulance and the police letting me go.  There is something wrong with that.”

There is also something wrong with the lack of media coverage of the incident.  At the time this article was written, a google search about the attack returned no results. Ed returned home just in time to celebrate Christmas with his family.  He was released from the hospital on Christmas Eve, just a couple of hours before Bishop Kevin Rhodes of Harrisburg arrived to pay him a visit. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery, although it will take a long time.  “Ed is very sore,” said Mrs. Snell in a telephone interview, “he is black and blue and the doctor said that it will be a full eight weeks before his bones heal completely.” Mrs. Snell is thankful for the prayers that Ed has received and hopes these will continue. She feels confident that, supported by these prayers, he will recover well. 

As for Mr. Snell, he is not yet accepting telephone calls, but feels humbled by all the prayers and attention he has received. A man of faith, he feels called to his work and remains undaunted.  As Mrs. Snell aptly put it: “I know that the Devil is busy and that he does not like the work that Ed does, but if that is the case, then Ed is doing the right job.” Please keep Mr. and Mrs. Snell in your prayers and, due to the lack of press coverage, please email this article to all your friends.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: abortion; abortionmill; edsnell; harrisburg; leo; tfp
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-87 next last
Hillcrest Women's Medical Center Harrisburg
2709 North Front Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110
(800) 245-2040
(717) 234-4994
Potomac Family Planning CenterPotomac Family Planning Center 
http://www.potomacfamilyplanning.com/

1 posted on 12/28/2007 10:57:20 PM PST by Coleus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 2ndMostConservativeBrdMember; afraidfortherepublic; Alas; al_c; american colleen; annalex; ...
Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off  the Pro-Life/Stem Cells/Conservative Issues Ping List. Sign up and Try Conservapedia instead of WickipediaInstead of Google, try Pro-Life Internet. For a list of 300 Pro-life Websites, click on Coleus and go all the way to the bottom.

2 posted on 12/28/2007 10:58:29 PM PST by Coleus (Merry Christmas!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

You see, when I read about thing like this, my roots start to come out.

I’d take a baseball bat to this guy in a third of a heartbeat.


3 posted on 12/28/2007 11:02:43 PM PST by papasmurf (FRed Thompson is head and shoulders above the rest. Vote for America, vote for FRed!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

Praying for healing and justice.


4 posted on 12/28/2007 11:03:35 PM PST by unspun (God save us from egos -- especially our own.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cpforlife.org

ping


5 posted on 12/28/2007 11:05:31 PM PST by shibumi (".....panta en pasin....." - Origen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
Must not have been too serious if he was released from the hospital in just two days.
6 posted on 12/28/2007 11:07:52 PM PST by tang-soo (Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks - Read Daniel Chapter 9)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

Prayers for Mr. Snell and his mission. Can you imagine how depraved his assailant is? We should pray for him, too. What’s wrong with him could be cured instantly but will likely last far longer than Mr. Snell’s physical injuries.

He thought he was going to that clinic to end his ‘problem,’ but it seems they left without using the clinic’s services, at least on that day. Bet he was afraid of what his woman might decide after a discussion with Mr. Snell.

And, in the meanwhile, Mr. Snell has cause for an expensive suit.


7 posted on 12/28/2007 11:11:12 PM PST by EDINVA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
After a few moments, the assailant and his companion left the clinic freely, got into their car and drove away.

Maybe 3 left that day.

8 posted on 12/28/2007 11:12:22 PM PST by CindyDawg (.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

To sum it up : Snell fell while trying to car surf ....


9 posted on 12/28/2007 11:15:28 PM PST by Neu Pragmatist (Anti - Fred dissent and RINO / Romney lackeys should be crushed like a Huckster Hard Drive ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
Agitated, the man replied: “I did not assault him, I just pushed him,” with an aggressiveness that made Mr. McTernan fearful for his own safety.

Um, Criminal charges notwithstanding, this is an admission of an intentional tort. Assault and Battery, possibly intentional infliction of emotional distress.. If I were them, I'd forget the police and hire a good plaintiff's lawyer..

10 posted on 12/28/2007 11:16:28 PM PST by Experiment 6-2-6 (Admn Mods: tiny, malicious things that glare and gibber from dark corners.They have pins and dolls..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

Just sent a prayer.


11 posted on 12/28/2007 11:20:19 PM PST by skr (How majestic is Thy Name, O Lord, and how mighty are Thy Works!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

INTREP


12 posted on 12/28/2007 11:22:01 PM PST by LiteKeeper (Beware the secularization of America; the Islamization of Eurabia)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skr

Me too, may God bless Mr. Ed Snell


13 posted on 12/28/2007 11:29:04 PM PST by voteNRA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
“He got what he deserved! He earned what he got!”

If anyone is surprised by this reaction from someone who works to murder babies for her salary, I'd like to hear about it.

...crickets...

14 posted on 12/28/2007 11:36:39 PM PST by Darkwolf377 (Pro-Life atheist hoping everyone has a Merry CHRISTmas!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: papasmurf

Wow, you really don’t sound all that “pro-life”.


15 posted on 12/28/2007 11:39:41 PM PST by ozzymandus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

bump


16 posted on 12/28/2007 11:45:02 PM PST by lowbridge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
She then returned to the police car and drove away.

Just didnt want to be bothered with all that nasty paperwork.

17 posted on 12/28/2007 11:47:00 PM PST by lowbridge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

Will this really be the end of the story? Where is a good, go-for-the-jugular lawyer when you need one?


18 posted on 12/28/2007 11:47:46 PM PST by Tax Government (Hillary doesn't know what it's like to be normal; can't identify with me/you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tax Government

Sue the goddamned police department, the city, the clinic.


19 posted on 12/28/2007 11:48:29 PM PST by Tax Government (Hillary doesn't know what it's like to be normal; can't identify with me/you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
What can we expect in a nation who does not practice what it has stood for, for 232 years.

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security....

20 posted on 12/28/2007 11:49:44 PM PST by Picklezz (HUNTER: SOLID - A Conservative's Conservative. He's the man for the job.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tang-soo

Must not have been too serious if he was released from the hospital in just two days.

What? I’ve seen people have major operations and be released before that. Did you not read the whole story that describe his injuries? I’d call it pretty serious, they said that the doctors feared his death, how much more serious can you get?


21 posted on 12/28/2007 11:52:47 PM PST by garylmoore (Faith is the assurance of things unseen.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

God can bring so much good out of bad. Praying for this man’s recovery and the for the rest of them.


22 posted on 12/28/2007 11:53:25 PM PST by CindyDawg (.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: tang-soo; Coleus
Must not have been too serious if he was released from the hospital in just two days.

His medical report outlines the extent of his injuries: “multiple trauma, right subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the area between the brain and the tissues that cover the brain), compression fractures of four vertebrae (T3, T4, T5 and T10), right scapula fracture and fracture of the fourth and fifth ribs.”

A subarachnoid hemorrhage can be fatal. A complete examination of the medical record is needed.

Agitated, the man replied: “I did not assault him, I just pushed him,” with an aggressiveness that made Mr. McTernan fearful for his own safety.

If that is true, then it is an admission of guilt in assault and battery, IMHO.

23 posted on 12/28/2007 11:58:13 PM PST by neverdem (Call talk radio. We need a Constitutional Amendment for Congressional term limits. Let's Roll!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

Pro-lifers: guilty until proven innocent.

What an upside-down world we live in.


24 posted on 12/28/2007 11:59:18 PM PST by Theo (Global warming "scientists." Pro-evolution "scientists." They're both wrong.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Experiment 6-2-6
"possibly intentional infliction of emotional distress.. "

I dunno about this one. The perp could make the same claim about the victim. Shouting out at a women about abortion could be considered intentional infliction of emotional distress. Not defending abortion btw...so no one take this comment that way please.
25 posted on 12/29/2007 12:04:50 AM PST by StolarStorm
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

I hope you realize, as I mentioned in my postscript, I was being sarcastic.


26 posted on 12/29/2007 12:06:22 AM PST by tang-soo (Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks - Read Daniel Chapter 9)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
McTernan, “leaped on the vehicle with Ed and catapulted him off of the vehicle and onto the ground.” Mr. Snell hit his back and head on the pavement and was knocked unconscious.

Sounds like Mr. Snell has a good civil case against McTernan, but being the man that he is, he probably won't persue it, I think if he did that to me, I’d want to get into his pocketbook, knowwhatimean? Kudos to you Mr. Snell for all the babies your are saving from murder.

27 posted on 12/29/2007 12:13:14 AM PST by garylmoore (Faith is the assurance of things unseen.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tang-soo
I hope you realize, as I mentioned in my postscript, I was being sarcastic.

Please, be more specific. IMHO, that was your postscript, i.e. your second comment on this thread.

28 posted on 12/29/2007 12:25:15 AM PST by neverdem (Call talk radio. We need a Constitutional Amendment for Congressional term limits. Let's Roll!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: neverdem
Apologies. What I wrote was ...

(Jena, La. flavored sarcasm)

after my comment. Only within brackets instead of parens, so the html parser absorbed the text as an html command and did not display what I had intended.
29 posted on 12/29/2007 1:12:29 AM PST by tang-soo (Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks - Read Daniel Chapter 9)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

Hitler would be proud of America. We have the most permissive pro-abortion laws in the world, except maybe China.


30 posted on 12/29/2007 1:14:14 AM PST by Comparative Advantage
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: garylmoore

How about a “hate crime”?

Nah, who am I kidding. “Hate crimes” are only those acts that Libs say are commited by Conservatives.


31 posted on 12/29/2007 3:09:47 AM PST by NTHockey (Rules of engagement #1 - Take no prisoners))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: tang-soo

Back in 1991 I was in an automobile accident and suffered a severe concussion, bruised heart, banged up hand and knee. I was released after one day. I STILL suffer from the effects of that accident.


32 posted on 12/29/2007 3:35:09 AM PST by proudofthesouth (Liberalism IS a mental illness.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Coleus; All
I am ashamed to admit this but here goes cause I know the mind set of pro choicers.

Until I became a Christian last Spring every time I would drive by a child killing clinic I would curse the pro lifers standing outside and give them the finger.

I’m extremely grateful to God for him telling me that abortion is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!

33 posted on 12/29/2007 3:38:29 AM PST by proudofthesouth (Liberalism IS a mental illness.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
Pinged from Terri Dailies

8mm


34 posted on 12/29/2007 4:34:37 AM PST by 8mmMauser (Jezu ufam tobie...Jesus I trust in Thee)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: proudofthesouth

Praise God for His work in you. That, by the way, is our hope. Only God can change a heart and a mind.


35 posted on 12/29/2007 4:48:09 AM PST by crghill (Christianity...setting women free since 0 a.d.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: proudofthesouth

You’re living proof that revival is the only hope for America.

God bless you.


36 posted on 12/29/2007 5:31:24 AM PST by EternalVigilance (<<<<-------Click and view)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: tang-soo
Even if that were true (it's not)...it is not the point. This man was assaulted; whether that is a crime or not shouldn't depend on how badly he was hurt. The implication is that assault and battery are OK unless the victims is seriously hurt. What of the flip side: assault isn't a crime, even if someone gets seriously hurts, if the perp meant well/had good intentions?

oh boy.
37 posted on 12/29/2007 6:40:59 AM PST by socialismisinsidious ( The socialist income tax system turns US citizens into beggars or quitters!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Neu Pragmatist
"To sum it up : Snell fell while trying to car surf ...."

I believe "catapulted" was the word. Imagine a 4X8 sheet of plywood on the roof of a car with Mr. Pro-Life at one end and a guy jumping onto it at the other.

38 posted on 12/29/2007 7:17:48 AM PST by robertpaulsen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: proudofthesouth
Until I became a Christian last Spring .......

Welcome to "the Family"!
39 posted on 12/29/2007 7:22:55 AM PST by bearsgirl90
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: garylmoore
"Must not have been too serious if he was released from the hospital in just two days."

WTFudgesicle? People are not something you can physically harm, and then Ctrl/Alt/Delete to make better.

This is an older (Mr. Snell, age 69) gentleman. His injuries (His medical report outlines the extent of his injuries: “multiple trauma, right subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the area between the brain and the tissues that cover the brain), compression fractures of four vertebrae (T3, T4, T5 and T10), right scapula fracture and fracture of the fourth and fifth ribs.”

I fear his injuries will sideline his efforts at saving the unborn, and might ultimately kill him.

Shame on you...!

40 posted on 12/29/2007 7:44:59 AM PST by Dacus943
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: ozzymandus

What part of his response bothers you? It sounds quite reasonable to me to defend an old man who is being assaulted. Defending the old man would have been very much “Pro” his life ,, I have no problems with meeting force with force... You aren’t one of those that thinks it’s wrong to execute murderers are you?


41 posted on 12/29/2007 8:04:15 AM PST by Neidermeyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: proudofthesouth

See...there is hope for the man that assaulted him and the secretary too. JMO but they may be angry because God might be working in their lives. Also...Welcome to the family:’)


42 posted on 12/29/2007 9:18:31 AM PST by CindyDawg (.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
NewsBusters picked up this story.
43 posted on 12/29/2007 10:44:06 AM PST by Dumb_Ox (http://kevinjjones.blogspot.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
I think maybe we should start a FREEP-A-THON of the Harrisburg Police Department, and get several Pro-Life groups involved in this.

Maybe it is time to call out the Cavalry -- the Truth Trucks and RCC Trucks.

Maybe Harrisburg, being a State Capitol, needed to be reminded of the LEGACY of Bob Casey, Sr.

One battle cry can be:

Remember Bob Casey, Sr.

Maybe the March for Life can arrange for a hundred thousand people to appear in Harrisburg -- especially in the neighborhood of the clinic...

44 posted on 12/29/2007 11:13:08 AM PST by topher (Let us return to old-fashioned morality - morality that has stood the test of time...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: topher
Of course, the Battle Cry should also be:

Remember Ed Snell!

Of course, thankfully, he is still living...

45 posted on 12/29/2007 11:14:39 AM PST by topher (Let us return to old-fashioned morality - morality that has stood the test of time...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Coleus
“He got what he deserved! He earned what he got!”

It's statements like this that would make it very difficult for me to vote to convict, if I were ever on the jury of an abortion clinic bomber...

46 posted on 12/29/2007 11:32:15 AM PST by hunter112 (Hillary Clinton - America’s Ex-Wife®)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Neidermeyer

So beating somebody with a baseball bat is “pro-life”? And I’ll ignore your question about the death penalty.


47 posted on 12/29/2007 12:02:44 PM PST by ozzymandus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

Doing what some police officers do best, ignore what is right in front of their eyes.

If it were a homeless person who took a candy bar he would have been arrested, put in prision and then charged with stealing.

Authority in the hands of morons is a danger to all people.


48 posted on 12/29/2007 1:52:25 PM PST by chiefqc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Coleus

” “He got what he deserved! He earned what he got!” She then hung up the phone.”

These people are exactly the same as concentration camp workers.

They are evil.


49 posted on 12/29/2007 1:54:57 PM PST by HereInTheHeartland ("We have to drain the swamp" George Bush, September 2001)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dacus943
Must not have been too serious if he was released from the hospital in just two days."

This was from my post and as I explained earlier, I meant this as sarcasm. I had placed the following text inside angled braces which stripped the text from my posting.

(Jena flavored sarcasm). I intended to make reference to the Jena mom that claimed the kid that got beat up must not have been assaulted too bad because he was released from the hospital that same evening.

Of course I support Mr. Snell and I pray for his recovery. I apologize for the confusion and the justified rise in blood pressure in sime freepees.
50 posted on 12/29/2007 2:02:40 PM PST by tang-soo (Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks - Read Daniel Chapter 9)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-87 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson