WASHINGTON - PRESIDENT Barack Obama decried on Sunday the 'deplorable' murder last week of an anti-abortion activist in the US state of Michigan.

'Whichever side of a public debate you're on, violence is never the right answer,' Mr Obama said in response to the fatal shooting of anti-abortion protester James Pouillon.

Police said Pouillon, 63, was shot several times on Friday as he demonstrated outside a high school in the town of Owosso.

A short time later a local businessman was also found dead in his company office.

Police have charged Harlan Drake, 33, with both murders. -- AFP