Precious Lives

Stories about kids, guns and how to stop the violence. Precious Lives, created by 371 Productions, is a 2-year, 100-part weekly radio series about gun violence and young people in the Milwaukee area. The series applies a public health lens to each story to help listeners understand the full scope of the problem: who are the victims and the shooters; how are the weapons obtained; and what can we change about the environment that contributes to violence in Milwaukee?

#037 Precious Lives: The Price of Doing the Right Thing

WUWM 89.7 FM

Published September 22, 2015 at 11:12 AM CDT

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Maurice Pulley Sr. stands in front of the plaque for the witness protection program that was created in honor of his son, Maurice Pulley Jr.

Courtesy of Milwaukee District Attorney’s Office

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The plaque dedicated to the Maurice Pulley Jr. witness protection program after he was shot and killed for refusing a bribe following a crime he witnessed. John Chisholm and the District Attorney’s office created the program in honor of Pulley.";

Madeline Power, 371 Productions

In June of 2007, 24 year old Maurice V. Pulley Jr. was shot in the face over a parking dispute and survived. He received threats and bribes to not show up in court. He decided to testify, and was murdered during the trial.

This incident launched the Maurice V. Pulley Jr. Witness Protection Program, which still exist today. Resources for victims help, but as Maurice Pulley Senior will tell you, when you testify you pay a high price.