Murder of Jim Pouillon

The murder of Jim Pouillon occurred on September 11, 2009, when pro-life activist James Pouillon was shot dead while protesting abortion in front of Owosso High School in Owosso, Michigan.^[1] Soon after, police were alerted to another murder, that of local businessman Michael Fuoss, which they linked to Pouillon's killer. Police arrested Harlan James Drake and charged him with the crimes.^[1]

Pouillon was a well-known local activist and member of Operation Save America.^[1] It was apparently the first time an activist had ever been murdered while protesting abortion.^[2] On September 30 Drake was deemed incompetent to stand trial and was remanded into the custody of the Michigan Department of Mental Health.^[3] Drake was later declared fit to stand trial, where he was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, and was subsequently sentenced to two life sentences.

Shooting and arrest

Pouillon was shot at 7:20 a.m. EDST by a gunman in a passing vehicle as he protested across the street from Owosso High School in Owosso, Michigan. One witnesses recorded the license plate number of the vehicle, and an hour later police arrested Harlan James Drake. Drake indicated to police that later that same morning he had also shot Michael Fuoss at the gravel business Fuoss owned.^[1] Authorities said Fuoss was not connected to the pro-life movement.^[2]

Police said Drake was offended by pro-life material that Pouillon had displayed across from the school for the previous week.^[1] Center for Reproductive Rights spokesperson said the shooting did not seem to be tied to the abortion debate, due to the murder of Fuoss.^[2]

Trial

While in custody awaiting trial, Drake attempted suicide by breaking a TV and using the broken glass to cut his wrists.^[4] Drake was later declared fit to stand trial. In 2004, Drake was involved — but not legally responsible — in a motor-vehicle accident that killed two teenagers. Drake's attorney, Robert Ashley, argued that Drake suffered from depression stemming from the crash and therefore mentally incompetent at the time of the murders.^[5] Drake testified about how he committed the murder, and even cracked jokes during his testimony. His testimony proved to be very damning to his case.^[6] On March 11, 2010, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on both counts of first-degree murder.^[7]

On April 22, 2010, Drake received life imprisonment and expressed no remorse for any pain caused to the families.^[8] Drake himself said he should go to jail "forever."^[9]

Responses

Several pro-life groups and leaders have deemed Pouillon a martyr.^[10][11] Lori Lamerand, president of Planned Parenthood East Central Michigan, stated the killing was tragic and expressed concerns people would retaliate.^[12] President Barack Obama has called the killing "deplorable" and stated that, "whichever side of a public debate you're on, violence is never the right answer."^[13] Pouillon's funeral was held at the Owosso High School football stadium.^[14]

Soon after the murder Pouillon's estranged son James M. Pouillon, a podiatrist in Grand Rapids, criticized his father in an online post. This post, which was quickly circulated in the media, attributed Pouillon's activism to a "pathological hatred of women", claimed that he had wished to provoke others into violence against him, and concluded that "Owosso is now rid of a madman."^[15]

The right-to-life organization Operation Rescue named Pouillon "Person of the Year" for 2009.^[16]

See also

• Abortion in the United States

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Police: Shooting suspect offended by anti-abortion material". CNN. 2009-09-11. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/11/michigan.shooting/. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Fitzsimmons, Emma (2009-09-11). "Anti-Abortion Protester Slain in Michigan; Suspect in Custody". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/us/12slay.html?em. 
3. ^ Chapman, Mary M. (October 1, 2009). "Incompetence Ruling in Killing of Abortion Protester". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/us/01michigan.html?sq=Pouillon&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=7&adxnnlx=1255273248-zNV79sgAEa2ZJShgF72KCA. Retrieved May 13, 2010. 
4. ^ "Suspect in Mich. Murders Attempts Suicide". CBS News. September 14, 2009. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/14/national/main5310255.shtml. 
5. ^ [1]
6. ^ Harlan Drake biggest witness against himself in murder trial
7. ^ Harlan Drake found guilty of first-degree murder in Shiawassee County slayings of pro-life activist, business owner
8. ^ Detroit Free-Press
9. ^ Harlan Drake says he deserved to go to jail 'forever' before sentencing in murder trial
10. ^ WLNS
11. ^ Reuters
12. ^ MLive
13. ^ AP
14. ^ "In Focus: Jim Pouillon". WVCY-TV. 2009-09-25. http://vimeo.com/7366837. 
15. ^ Laura Angus (September 17, 2009). "James M. Pouillon criticizes father, slain pro-life activist James L. Pouillon, in online post". mlive.com. http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/09/james_m_pouillon_criticizes_fa.html. Retrieved December 11, 2009. 
16. ^ http://www.operationrescue.org/archives/slain-activist-james-pouillon-named-operation-rescue%e2%80%99s-2009-%e2%80%9cperson-of-the-year%e2%80%9d/comment-page-1/#comment-309623