Woman Who Threatened Pro-Lifers With Knife at Abortion Center Pleads Not Guilty
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 17, 2009
Duluth, MN (LifeNews.com) — A Minnesota woman who faces assault charges after she allegedly pulled a knife on two pro-life advocates who encouraged her not to have an abortion has plead not guilty. Officials charged Mechelle Tallulah Hall with second-degree assault and set her bail at $9,000.
The 26-year-old woman from Superior, Wisconsin told a judge in St. Louis County District Court Wednesday that she was wrong to pull the knife on the pro-life women.
According to the Duluth News Tribune, Hall will next appear in court on the charge on February 16 with a trial date of February 23.
The newspaper indicates she also apologized during her initial court appearance last month, saying “I know what I did was wrong.” The newspaper indicated the judge said that was not the appropriate time to talk about the facts of the case or enter a plea as to her guilt or innocence.
During yesterday’s hearing, Hall waived her right to another court appearance to challenge evidence against her.
Leah Winandy and other pro-life advocates were gathered outside the abortion business in Duluth when Hall approached the Building For Women abortion center.
Winandy told Hall she cared about her unborn child but the woman responded by reportedly brandishing a knife and held it to Winandy’s throat.
Winandy has discussed the incident at length and said, "We asked the women ‘please don’t take the life of your unborn baby we care about what happens to them."
"She said ‘don’t do this, don’t talk to me, don’t come near me’ and I just said ‘fear god,’ and she had the knife to my throat and I was a little nervous," Winandy added. "She was probably trying to threaten me and intimidate me…but for what reason I don’t know."
After Hall threatened Winandy, her mother, another sidewalk counselor, came to her aid and Hall threatened her with the knife as well, holding it close to her neck.
Hall then entered the abortion facility — where police later found her and located the knife in her purse. Police officials arrested her and took her to the St. Louis County jail.
Winandy related in the email LifeNews.com received that not only is she thankful for the incident but she said the story is not over.
"As the police were leaving, a young women ran into the building very quickly," she said. "After a few minutes she came out onto the sidewalk, and seemed to be waiting for someone. My mom talked to her, and she turned out to be the friend of the women who had just been arrested."
"Not knowing what had just happened, she had come to support her friend, but was told that her friend had left the building quickly. They didn’t even tell her why or in what state she had left," Winandy continued.
"So we were able to minister to this women, her name is, Melissa and her friend, who had been arrested is Michelle," Winandy said.
Winandy indicated she and her mother talked with Melissa about their Christian faith and she indicated it may be possible for the Winandys to visit Michelle in jail.
"Please pray for these two women. I do forgive Michelle," she concluded.
The November assault followed a September shooting in Michigan that saw pro-life advocate Jim Pouillon shot and killed as he protested abortion.
Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
Daily Pro-Life News Report Twice-Weekly Pro-Life
News Report Receive a free daily email report from LifeNews.com with the latest pro-life news stories on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here. Receive a free twice-weekly email report with the latest pro-life news headlines on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here.
