The state's 1931 law that criminalizes most abortions in Michigan was suspended in May, and a judge recently struck it down as unconstitutional. So as voters prepare to vote on Proposition 3 in November, 84-year-old Joan Jacobson was going door-to-door late last month to talk to people in Lake Odessa about the issue.
LifeNews reports that she encountered Sharon Harvey, who was "hostile, belligerent, and antagonistic" when Jacobson came to her door to hand out information.
"She yelled and screamed at Ms. Jacobson and refused to listen to anything she tried to say. Ms. Jacobson, a five-foot-tall, 84-year-old, 120-pound retired nurse, never raised her voice, yelled at Ms. Harvey, or threatened her in any way," Jacobson's attorney, David Kallman, says.
The pro-lifer was leaving when Richard Harvey, "without any provocation," shot her in the shoulder. Jacobson then drove herself to the Lake Odessa Police Department and was taken to a local hospital after reporting the incident, according to state police. She has since been released from the hospital.
Now, Judge Raymond Voet has ruled that Harvey must stand trial, indicating there is enough evidence in the case to warrant it.
"The next stage in his trial is going to be on Election Day, where I think he will be giving his plea," reports Chris Gast of Right to Life of Michigan. "It'll be interesting to see what he does, because in the media and in his public comments, he's essentially admitted to negligently shooting the pro-life volunteer."
The Harveys maintain the shooting was an accident, but Jacobson's attorney says the evidence suggests otherwise.
"I think nothing speaks louder than Richard Harvey's comments to a 9-1-1 operator just after he shot the woman, where he basically said, 'Yeah, I shot her. It was an accident. She's a right-wing nut. Hahaha,'" Gast adds.
If Mr. Harvey is convicted, he could face up to four years in prison.
