Family of US shooting suspect, Harlan Drake, cites depression (& problems w/meds)

[Bozita]

Source: AP

Family of US shooting suspect, Harlan Drake, cites depression
by Ed White | The Associated Press
Tuesday September 15, 2009, 3:12 AM


OWOSSO, Michigan -- Relatives of a Michigan man charged with fatally shooting two people, including a well-known local abortion protester, said in a statement that he had battled depression and was experiencing problems with his medications.

Harlan Drake's family also does not believe the killings were a political statement or acts of revenge and called him "a gentle giant, who has no history of violence and no criminal history whatsoever," according to the statement issued Monday by an attorney on behalf of Drake's wife, mother and brother.

Drake, 33, is charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shootings Friday of anti-abortion activist James Pouillon and businessman Mike Fuoss. Investigators have said Drake was angered by a graphic sign Pouillon carried while protesting near a high school and that he apparently held a "grudge" against Fuoss and a third intended victim.

"We do not feel these tragic killings were premeditated, a political statement regarding pro life or pro abortion factions, or out of a grudge," said the family's statement issued by attorney Gerry Mason of Port Huron, Michigan.

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/family_of_us_shooting_suspect.html#more