(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/30/2022) The Ionia County man who claims he accidentally shot an 84-year-old pro-life supporter is facing charges.
Ionia County Prosecutor Kyle Butler issued a three-count warrant for Richard Alan Harvey, of Lake Odessa, and the 74-year-old defendant was arraigned today in the 64A District Court on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, careless discharge of a firearm causing injury and reckless use of a firearm.
Harvey, who was given a $10,000 cash or surety bond, returns to court Oct. 12 for a probable cause conference. He faces up to four years in prison if he is convicted as charged.
Authorities said the pro-lifer, Joan Jacobson, was canvassing in opposition to Proposal 3, the abortion legalization proposal, on Sept. 20 when she was shot.
Anti-Proposal 3 spokesperson Christen Pollo was asked on public television’s Off The Record Friday morning if the incident is chasing volunteers away from wanting to volunteer in door-to-door canvassing efforts.
“Thank God she is recovering. What a brave soul, but our message to our supporters has been to follow our safety standards and, hopefully, this will be an isolated incident,” Pollo responded. "We still have so many people out every day working so hard. I don't want that incident to prevent anyone from following their conscience and going out to spread the word and using their free speech to protect our state from the dangers of this proposal."
Regarding the incident specifically, Jacobson told MIRS that she left the Harvey home when a woman, later identified as Sharon Harvey, asked her to leave the property. She said she had no interaction with Richard Harvey, whom she first noticed as she walked on a public sidewalk back to her car.
Jacobson said as Sharon Harvey hollered at her that she would call the police, she "heard the shot and felt the pain."
Jacobson, who had been shot in the shoulder, drove herself to a local police department to report the shooting and was then taken to an area hospital where she was treated and released.
Jacobson was knocking on doors to talk to people about voting "no" on Proposal 3, which would inscribe abortion rights in the state constitution.
Jacobson's attorney, David Kallman, said Friday that his client is “gratified” charges have been filed and she is “glad the process is moving forward and that there is some accountability for Mr. Harvey."
