California Abortion Practitioner Who Assaulted Pro-Life Advocate Not Prosecuted
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 16, 2008
Santa Ana, CA (LifeNews.com) — A California abortion practitioner who was arrested in August after allegedly assaulting a pro-life advocate who wanted to take pictures of him will not be prosecuted. The incident involves abortion practitioner Howard Pfupajena, who works at the Clinica Medica Para La Mujer abortion center.
The pro-life advocate, a man named Tim who doesn’t want his full name released to the public, was first shoved, then battered, punched and choked by Pfupajena as he attempted to take photographs of him.
Tim sustained lacerations and muscle pain that impaired his ability to conduct his normal activities as a result of the attack.
Tim decided to go to the Clinica Medica Para La Mujer abortion center because it had been in the news after owner Bertha Bugarin was arrested for doing abortions without a license.
Operation Rescue president Troy Newman says he’s surprised to learn that local officials will not prosecute Pfupajena.
"It is shocking that Pfupajena is not going to be charged for violently attacking and injuring an innocent man," Newman told LifeNews.com.
"This decision sends the dangerous message that it is okay to attack a pro-lifer because you will not be held accountable. Given the recent rash of attacks on pro-lifers across the nation, the Orange County DA’s office has make an irresponsible decision that places people wishing to minister outside of abortion clinics at further risk," he explained.
Newman said other legal remedies are being explored.
When Pfupajena entered the building, Tim tried to take pictures but Pfupajena covered his head with his lab coat and told Tim that he had no right to photograph him.
Tim later asked a police officer ticketing a nearby vehicle if he had the right to take pictures and received confirmation he could. Tim then decided to wait until Pfupajena left for the day to try to get a better photograph.
At the end of the day, Tim noticed Pfupajena heading for his vehicle, and positioned himself on the public sidewalk to photograph him as he was about to drive away.
Pfupajena exited his vehicle and attempted to forcibly remove the camera from Tim’s possession. The camera fell to the ground and Pfupajena stomped on it repeatedly.
Tim reached for the camera and, as he did, the attack intensified.
"He got me to the ground and, seeking to jar the camera loose from my hand, was hitting me and, not finding success, he put his knee in my throat and was choking me," Tim said afterwards about the ordeal.
"At this point I began to yell for help and for someone to call the police," he said.
Police arrested Pfupajena, 66, for assault and battery and cited him on the charges and released him. The District Attorney will review the case and determine if the charges should officially be filed.
Newman told LifeNews.com that, "Pfupajena obviously has something to hide for him to have reacted so violently. This abortionist is a danger to the public, and should have his license revoked."
The Clinica Medica chain of abortion centers made headlines when Bertha Bugarin was charged in two separate counties for doing abortions without a license.
Another abortion practitioner who works for the abortion business, Laurence Reich, was also arrested earlier this year after a police investigation revealed he did abortions even though his medical license had been revoked last year after a second conviction of having sexually molested or raped several of his abortion patients.
ACTION: Contact Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas at (714) 834-3600 and urge prosecution of the case. You can send an online comment at https://www.orangecountyda.com/home/index.asp?page=160
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