Antiabortion Protester's Alleged Killer Deemed Unfit For Trial

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 02 Oct 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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A Michigan man accused of fatally shooting an antiabortion-rights protester outside a high school last month has been deemed incompetent to stand trial and committed to the Michigan Department of Mental Health, the New York Times reports.

Harlan Drake is charged with fatally shooting James Pouillion on Sept. 11 in what is believed to be the first slaying of someone protesting abortion rights. On Wednesday, Judge Terrance Dignan of the 66th District Court in Corunna, Mich., ordered Drake to begin psychiatric treatment. If rendered competent, a preliminary examination would be set to determine whether he could stand trial. Dignan wrote that "there is a substantial probability" that Drake, if provided a course of treatment, will be competent to stand trial, according to chief assistant prosecutor Sara Edwards (Chapman, New York Times, 10/1).

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