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Not the man he knew

By MICHAEL PETERSON Argus-Press Staff Writer

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 10:21 AM EDT

HARLAN DRAKE

Friend of accused murderer speaks out about his past

OWOSSO - When resident Matthew Lake sees a picture of his friend Harlan James Drake - who is accused of two murders - on the television or reads about him in the newspaper, he says it is not the “Hal” Drake he knew.

“I've seen his picture and his eyes are just glazed over,” Lake said. “Mentally, that isn't Hal; physically it is.”

Lake, 32, who grew up in New Lothrop, has known the alleged shooter for more than 10 years and he has yet to fully recover from the shock of the Sept. 11 shootings in Owosso.

Drake, 33, of Owosso, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal shootings of anti-abortion activist Jim Pouillon, 63, and businessman Mike Fuoss, 61. Police say local Realtor Jim Howe was an intended third victim, although he was unharmed.

Police arrested Drake shortly after 8 a.m. the day of the murders and also charged him with one count of felony firearm and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent. Drake is lodged in the Shiawassee County Jail without bond while awaiting a psychiatric examination.

Lake said he never heard Drake say anything regarding Pouillon and his signs or that he had any ill-will towards Fuoss or Howe.

Drake and Lake became friends while both worked as bouncers for various bars in the area for almost five years. He described Drake as being about 6-foot-1 and weighing more than 300 pounds.

“He was just a nice and great guy. He never held any grudges or any hate in his heart,” Lake said. He added that while working as bouncers, Drake always tried to diffuse a situation without violence. “He'd rather talk a person out than take him out physically. ... He never raised his voice.”

Lake's wife Heather described Drake as “polite,” “soft-spoken” and a “huge teddy bear.” She added she was disappointed not many of Drake's friends have spoken up for him since the Sept. 11 shootings.

“I know what happened has rocked the community, but I wish people would understand despite how bad it was - and it was horrific - he still has feelings,” she said. “I think (Drake's friends and family) are afraid of the ridicule that they are going to be under if they do talk. ... I wish if he has friends out there, they would be bold enough to take a stand and say, ‘This is my friend. He screwed up, but he is still my friend.'”

Drake's family this week released a statement describing the man as a “gentle giant” who was battling depression since a “very tragic accident some years ago, and was experiencing problems with his medications for depressions.”

According to the Associated Press, Drake was involved in a crash in Iowa five years ago in which two teenagers were killed. The teens, police said, turned in front of Drake's semitruck. The trucker was not at fault.

Matthew Lake said he never heard about a crash from Drake, but knew he had been experiencing major back problems from years of truck driving.

“He had a serious back surgery done that gave him a scar that went from his neck down to his bottom,” Lake said. “He said to me, ‘They've got me on a lot of medications.'”

He said he hopes Drake will receive proper counseling and care.

“They need to go back to where the root of the problem started,” he said. “People just want to point fingers. ... I'm not saying that he shouldn't be punished for his crimes, but he just wasn't in the right state of mind - bottom line.”

Lake said at one point, Drake moved to Arizona to learn how to build and repair Harley Davidson motorcycles. He returned to Michigan about 2004. However, Lake said, once Drake moved back he was unable to find a job building motorcycles so he began working as a truck driver.

Lake, who does metal preparation work for Owosso's Universal Handling Equipment, said he kept in regular contact with Drake over the years, and the last time he saw him was at Wal-Mart near sometime late this summer. They were able to catch up with one another briefly.

Because of Lake's intense work schedule and the limited visiting hours for Drake, Lake has yet to speak to his friend about the shootings and has not been able to get in contact with Drake's family. Lake added he and wife have begun composing a letter to Drake, which they hope to send to him soon.

Despite all that has happened, Lake said he still considers Drake his friend.

“I love the guy as my own brother,” he said. “I basically cry every time I see him in the news. I hear a lot of people just trash him...it just breaks my heart. They are knowing the Hal Drake of that morning - they didn't meet him 15 years ago, like I have, and kept a friendship from then until now.”

- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpetersonarguspress@gmail.com. Post comments about this story online at www.argus-press.com.

Comment on this Story

Stacy wrote on Sep 26, 2009 12:20 AM:

" Excuses, excuses, excuses, I am so tired of everyone now a days having an excuse for their actions. As I tell my children there are choices in life, but you must choose good or bad choice, then the consequences that follow. You are responsible for your own actions. I don't care if he was on anti-depressants or not, you don't just go out and kill people because you don't like something they do. He should of got help along time ago for accidently killing two teens, not taking two more lives. Now he has to deal with taking four lives and he isn't going to get the help he needs in prison. All have sinned commented that we should put our selves in Harlan's shoes, well I have and still would not go out and kill people there, is no excuse! I also think that Harlan's family and friends need to put their selves in the other families shoes. How would you feel if someone gunned downed Harlan for the hell of it? Would you label that person a monster or insane? I think everyone needs to stop all the hate right now and let these families grieve!!!!!!!!!! "

All have sinned wrote on Sep 24, 2009 12:48 PM:

" It sounds like a good man just snapped, or it could have been the medication. Before we trash him, maybe we need to spend a minute in his shoes. I like the quote "There but for the grace of God, go I". It's a tragedy for both sides. May God be with the friends and families of everyone involved. "

sick of this town wrote on Sep 24, 2009 7:10 AM:

" I do not know Hal Drake or any of the families involved in this incident, but my heart and prayers go out to each and everyone. Such a sad thing to happen to everyone.

In my opinion this is another example how prescripted drugs and doctors do not mix in this town. The doctors are getting away with the murders of many people dying because of neglect and poor distribution of medications and now we are seeing other results of medications distributed poorly.

Yes people should be accounted for their actions whether it be a citizen who lost control mentally or doctors slipping the drugs that causes people to lose control and take their own lives or the lives of others.

God Bless "

Owosso man wrote on Sep 23, 2009 11:09 PM:

" I am sorry, but when you go back and see how this played out even if you blocked out everything you heard on the television, radio, or read in the papers, a reasonable individual would believe that there was some planning involved to a point.

This man made an adult decision to rip not only his family apart but two other families apart as well. He needs to be punished for what he has done period. "

friend of a friend wrote on Sep 23, 2009 7:15 PM:

" I've told anyone who would listen that Hal was a kind and gentle man when I knew him. I haven't spoken to him in years, but I also went to school with him and crossed paths with him several times after that.
When I saw his picture on the evening news, I jumped up and cried. For days I kept saying, this isn't like him at all.
My heart hurts for his family. Such sweet and caring people, just like Hal.
I don't understand what happened and probably never will.
It bothers me that so much focus is on abortion and the anger that follows that word. That day was a great tragedly for 3 families. I'm praying for all 3 of those families. May God comfort them in this terrible time.
Matthew and Heather, thank you for speaking up about Hal. I hope no one mistreats his family because of his actions. "

kodiak wrote on Sep 23, 2009 4:33 AM:

" Sigh... I've known Hal for... eight years now. I went to school with him in AZ, 2001. He and I are still close friends. I've been through some really tough times, and Hal was always there for me. I talked with him many many times about the accident with the two teens. It crushed him. He felt personaly responsible for that accident, and sometimes it seemed the only thing that kept him going was his lovely wifey. I love them both like family. Now, is there any excuse for what Hal did? NO. It happend, and I am still in shock and can't imagine my friend doing this. But he did. For reasons unknown and unfathomable to me. My heart breaks for the families of the two victims. It's something NOBODY should ever have to go through, having a loved one taken from you. Truth be told, Hal's been taken from me and his family too. I'll probably never get to see him again. He was going to come out and be a groomsman at my wedding next year, and now that's not going to happen. Who's to blame? It pains me to say it, but Hal is. Do I love him any less? Not in a million years, not for anything. I read stories and comments about people saying there was some political agenda at work here. Never. Honestly Hal didn't have anything to say about abortion, one way or the other. "You do and believe whatever your going to, just don't try to force me to also". That's about how Hal and I both feel on the issue. Anyway, I'm not trying to make excuses for Hal. I just would like people to remember there's victims on both sides of this situation. Flinging mud one direction or the other doesn't help anyone... just be there for the ones who're left after this tragedy. thanks for reading "

Heather Lake wrote on Sep 22, 2009 4:34 PM:

" This response goes out to a couple of people: Both posted 9/21, by CS and Just wondering.
*CS-Do not assume that we (my husband and I) are cold hearted people. I assure you we are not and we do (very much so) feel terrible about what has happen. Our prayers go out to the familys and everyone involved.
*Just wondering-The crash that you are refering to did just that happen 5 years ago. Would "you" not want to put it behind you? Not saying that you wouldnt be haunted by it over the years. "I" personally do not think that while meeting up with my husband and myself we would have heard.."hey how you doing buddy oh and by the way I happen to have a accident and it was really bad..hey when we getting together for a bbq?"
Would your friends say something like that to you?
Hal will have to pay the rest of his life for this. He will have to replay it in his head each and everyday.
Taking a left through in life happens to alot of people. Most do not kill two people. But sometimes, just sometimes you have to look deeper inside someone.
Now it is time to try to pick up the pieces of the mess this has caused and think about EVERYONE involved.
Hal was my husbands and my friend..that is something that will never change. And we do hold him accountable for the murders of two men that didnt deserve it, we just wanted to give some insite on the man behind all of this and how someone so normal can be tempted to do something so horrific. Remember satan comes to steal, kill and distroy. He causes people to go insaine..remember that next time you get tempted. "

anonymous believer wrote on Sep 22, 2009 4:28 PM:

" If someone hasn't lived with depression and anxiety, they have no idea what they are talking about when they declare what needs to be done to Drake. I am going to share a personal story to help get this point accross to everyone. Several months ago, my physician of many years stopped my anti depressant cold turkey after my having taken it for ten years. I trusted this doctor completely and followed his guidelines. After nine days without the medication, I had a meltdown at work and was promptly driven to the psychiatric unit where I stayed for several days. I came out as sick as when I went in, and proceeded to stay in bed for one month. During this time, I was in living hell. If my significant other had not been there, I literally would not have lived. I can not type the thoughts that went through my head and the feelings I experienced. I can only say to you that it is indeed possible for someone who's psychiatric meds have been changed to literally loose their mind and commit an act such as this. I have no memory of many of the days I spent in my room during that month. I also ended up loosing my job and nearly my home. Those of you who do not know what you are talking about as you cast judgement should stop spreading ill will and thank God that you have not lived through what happened to Drake that morning. "

Just wondering wrote on Sep 21, 2009 10:13 PM:

" Something I don't understand about this article. Mr. Lake met Drake 15 years ago, and has been friends with him for the past ten years, and he thinks of him as a brother. This crash took place five years ago, it says, but Lake says that he never heard about the crash from Drake. Isn't that something that you would talk to your friend about? Maybe Mr. Lake did not know him as well as he thinks he did. "

DMR wrote on Sep 21, 2009 10:06 PM:

" This article is correct, this is not the Harlan, 'Hal' Drake that people know. I think that most of the people who know him and care about him are in shock and don't know what to say or do!! My son is a good friend and is so confused and is suffering right along with the many other victims of this event. NOBODY could have ever predicted this could happen. We all feel for his family as well as the families of the victim's. Yes, he will pay for what has happened, he has too but it is not for any of us to judge. Only God can truly judge him for his actions as well as the hate that others are feeling towards him. "

C W wrote on Sep 21, 2009 9:08 PM:

" Boy! Drop it already everyone. The man will pay for what he has done.. It's evident that there is a lack of education in the depression area,there are many types and they do not always know what they are doing at the time. Don't read into it what is not there. No one is saying he won't pay for what he did. Get that straight. But your so called good person wasn't all that good either. Wife beater etc. Not someone good. "

john wolfe wrote on Sep 21, 2009 8:21 PM:

" if anyone wants the whole truth of the matter write harlan drake a letter and ask him. because the civil servants in this town are to crooked themselves to believe anything they are saying. dont you all get it by now civil servants are out for the publicity and not the true facts of the crime. "

CS wrote on Sep 21, 2009 7:51 PM:

" I'm sorry but I have no sympathy for this guy what so ever! He has destroyed 2 familys lifes in ways he will never know. And I'm so tired of people using the insanity card for an excuse. And for the remark that was made in the paper about how this guy just happen to Mess Up! MESS UP! You make it sound like it was just a little thing. Oh I just (screw_d) up. No Biggie! Sorry they won't let me post the word Screw_d Up! on here. But you get my point! He did a lot more then just MESS Up! Matt and Heather to bad you haven't a clue what these familys are going through. How come it's always the victims and the familys we seem to forget about. And it's all about Oh the poor guy that did the killing. I'm sorry but the fuosse's are our FRIENDS and it's them that our hearts go out to. Both of these familys didn't deserve any of this. There the ones that are suffering right now for there loved ones they have lost! And won't be able to see them again to say I love you. And I have to agree with the other person that posted. He should of drove himself to the hospital to get help instead of killing 2 inoccent people. BOTTOM LINE! "

Nancy wrote on Sep 21, 2009 7:40 PM:

" What is "concerned mayberry citizen" saying exactly??? True Christians or what you call "Bible Thumpers" dont judge People whether they know them or not. I dont think you know what you are saying. You are right that that is how society is , yes.
I do have sympathy for the guy-life is rough for everybody some of the time but some people never learn how handle things in life and then if you have mental issues on top of it that makes it even more difficult. Yes, he should be held accountable but also taking in consideration his mental state at the time. "

Bible Thumper wrote on Sep 21, 2009 7:39 AM:

" Not all of us "Christians, as you like to classify Bible Thumpers" are judgemental. Seems you are doing the same. Learn how to spell. "

MAK wrote on Sep 20, 2009 11:20 PM:

" STOP trying to play the insanity card!!! He MUST be held 100% accountable for the violent acts that he CHOSE to commit. There are millions of human beings depressed, on medication etc. This is NOT EVER an excuse to take the life of ANYONE, let along two amazing people in our community, both of whom touched the lives of many. Insane...yes he obviously was. Regardless, he needs to be held accountable for his disregard of a human LIFE! "

christian wrote on Sep 20, 2009 7:33 PM:

" while i agree that people do judge others based on their actions, and not their heart. But as a Christian, i get upset at comments like the one above that just judged me. I am no ones judge, that is for the Almighty. But judge not lest ye be judge. I hope the truth will be learned with further investigation, perhaps there is an underlying reason for his actions. My thoghts and prayers go out to the families of the victims, and the suspect. "

former res wrote on Sep 20, 2009 8:38 AM:

" Thank you for telling the facts, instead of speculation, and shedding some light on this terrible tragedy. Perhaps if we learn the truth of how and why this happened, it can prevent another such occurrence. As Lake stated, it isn't an excuse for the actions. But Medications and/or depression have the ability to alter one's personality and reasoning. "

a girl wrote on Sep 20, 2009 1:33 AM:

" I know how this guy feels actually.. I was shocked to see who done the shootings. I went to school with Hal. He was a friend to alot of people then. didnt like to fight or even argue. This is so shocking to see of this man. Of course I havent seen him since school but it is still a shocker.. "

JJ wrote on Sep 19, 2009 11:26 PM:

" Well, I wasn't really one of Hal's friends, but I did graduate with him and from what I remember, he was a nice guy. "

corunna resident wrote on Sep 19, 2009 11:25 PM:

" he dont look like a guy that would be violent. this statement from a life time friend tells the whole story. this guy just snapped out of control one morning. due to powerful percription meds for his conditions. i sure hope the civil servents take their time with this case so we can get to the bottom of it.and mr. ashley your doing a wonderful job investagating the facts and not the guess work we are getting from civil servents. keep up the good work. "

MJS wrote on Sep 19, 2009 1:31 PM:

" maybe it's a good thing you weren't on his bad side. i have no sympathy for him. he took 2 lives that morning. maybe he should have drove himself to the hosp. instead, rather than killing 2 innocent people. "

concerned mayberry citizen wrote on Sep 19, 2009 12:07 PM:

" this is a sad story. i hope that all you bible thumpers are asshamed of yourself for judging a man you didnt no. but thats how society is. "

Child Advocate wrote on Sep 19, 2009 10:13 AM:

" Parent, teachers, mentors of children. Please take the time to explain the law of the land to your children. Don't let them spread unfounded rumors or think they know the facts. Talk to them, take the time to hear what they have to say or think they know. Don't take for granted the impact that this incident has had on them, not even as time goes on. Keep your focus on your children and make sure they will get through this -- you may think they are okay, but an incident like this could affect some children for the rest of their lives if they don't receive the proper information. Don't let them become victimized even further. Pay attention and move on. "