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

Skip to comments.

(MI) Prosecutor: Anti-Abortion Activist Killed For Beliefs
WILX ^ | 09/11/09 | Lauren Zakalik

Posted on 09/11/2009 3:32:23 PM PDT by Kieri

He was known for his outspoken anti-abortion protests all around Owosso.

"When I went into town, you'd often see him on his corner," says friend Ron Ackals.

And as he was picketing Friday morning outside Owosso High School, prosecutors say 63-year-old James Pouillon was gunned down-- shot up to 10 times-- by a drive-by shooter targeting the man for his message.

When 33-year-old suspect Harlan Drake was apprehended at his home, police learned more.

"Upon his arrest, he made statements he'd been involved in another homicide that day," says Owosso Police Chief Michael Compeau.

That led them to another crime scene: a gravel pit owned by 61-year-old Mike Fuoss, who was found shot to death in his Owosso Township office by an employee.

Shiawassee County Sheriff George Braidwood, a good friend of Fuoss', chokes up describing his reaction.

"Shock first, then comfort knowing we have good officers and detectives to make sure it's justified," Braidwood says.

Pouillon's close friend Mike McCloskey is distraught.

"Just because someone has different opinions shouldn't result in someone shooting someone else," says McCloskey.

McCloskey says Pouillon is a retired GM worker who has at least one daughter, and his ex-wife was killed in a car accident. Others say Pouillon had been protesting abortion for decades.

According to friends, Fuoss has two gravel pit companies in the area.

As word spreads about the tragedies that happened outside the high school and at the gravel pit, friends of both victims wonder how-- if at all-- the two murders were connected.

"Right now we don't know," Braidwood says. "The two victims might not have been connected at all."

Police do say Drake knew Fuoss but don't know if he knew Pouillon personally.

"It's hard. I'm sorry for my friend who this happened to, and I'm also sorry for the people dealing with this in this little, quiet town," McCloskey says.

Police say when they apprehended Drake at his home, he said he was planning to also kill Owosso realtor James Howe. Howe is, to our knowledge, okay.

Drake has been charged with two counts of 1st degree premeditated murder, one felony firearm count and one count of carrying a weapon with unlawful intent.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: abortion; harlandrake; pouillon; prolife
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-46 last
To: muawiyah
I don't believe Mr. Roeder has been brought to trial. You are innocent until proven guulty {sic}.

Thanks for your insight to American jurisprudence.

And thanks for reminding me that the guy who is accused of killing the Pro-Life activist in Michigan is innocent since he has not been proven guilty and that Tiller was innocent since he never was convicted of a crime.

41 posted on 09/12/2009 1:11:47 PM PDT by trumandogz (The Democrats are driving us to Socialism at 100 MPH -The GOP is driving us to Socialism at 97.5 MPH)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: trumandogz
Defend Tiller all you wish. You will recall that I proposed imprisoning advocates and enablers but I said nothing about the abortionists.

Just helping you keep on target here.

42 posted on 09/12/2009 1:54:15 PM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah
I proposed imprisoning advocates and enablers...

I am sure you will be able to do so once you are able to change the Constitution. But until then, people in this country are free to think what they wish.

Defend Tiller all you wish.

I will not and have not defended Tiller however, his actions were no more despicable than any other abortionist or pharmacist that dispenses abortion pills.

43 posted on 09/12/2009 2:04:08 PM PDT by trumandogz (The Democrats are driving us to Socialism at 100 MPH -The GOP is driving us to Socialism at 97.5 MPH)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: muawiyah

“So typical of the Left to always think first of killing people they disagree with.”

These people have no compunctions about killing the unborn, and now they are killing the born.


44 posted on 09/12/2009 4:25:27 PM PDT by Sun (Pray that God sends us good leaders. Please say a prayer now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Kieri

Known as “the sign man,” Pouillon, who had leg braces and required oxygen, was a pro-life activist for many years and well-known by other pro-life advocates around the country.

“He was just a kind, gentle man who loved life and endeavored to save other people’s lives,” Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, told the Associated Press.

But Jim Pouillon’s passing was not marked by the Obama administration, Planned Parenthood or NARAL Pro-Choice America, all of which quickly issued statements condemning the shooting death of abortion provider George Tiller, who was shot and killed inside his church in May.

“I am shocked and outraged by the murder of Dr. George Tiller as he attended church services this morning,” President Barack Obama said in a statement released by the White House on the day Tiller died.

“However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence,” Obama said.

Read the rest:
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/53931


45 posted on 09/12/2009 5:39:47 PM PDT by Sun (Pray that God sends us good leaders. Please say a prayer now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: trumandogz

In the ranks of the devils of Hell quantity still counts.


46 posted on 09/13/2009 7:08:58 AM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-46 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