43
Tasered woman wants closure
She will go on trial Jan. 7 in Warren Municipal Court.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN — Heidi Gill of Howland, who received national attention when a city policeman used a Taser stun gun to subdue her, wants judged by a jury.
“I just want to get it over,” Gill said after appearing Tuesday afternoon before municipal Judge Thomas Gysegem, with her attorney, Mark Hanni of Youngstown.
During the hearing, prosecutor Tracy Timko-Rose dismissed a felony charge of assaulting a police officer, filed against her after her Sept. 2 arrest outside a Warren night spot.
A trial date was set for Jan. 7 with a pre-trial conference scheduled for Dec. 17 on charges of falsification, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle — all misdemeanors that can be heard at the municipal court level.
“This is not a lot of fun for me right now,” Gill said after the hearing.
“I wish the jury would be today. That would be great,” said the 38-year-old single parent of a 4-year-old son.
In dismissing the felony assault charge, Timko-Rose told Judge Gysegem that a witness in the case, arresting Patrol Officer Richard Kovach, was not available to testify.
Kovach has been on administrative leave because of the episode.
Gill was dressed in a light-colored jacket, flowered scarf and black slacks as she stood beside Hanni in front of the judge. At one point, the judge’s secretary handed her a tissue to wipe back a tear.
“I’m sick to death about being afraid,” she said. When reporters asked her why she was frightened, Hanni wouldn’t allow her to answer.
“There are a lot of things I’m afraid of,” she said, adding that her roommate walks around her property nightly.
Hanni said he is preparing to file a federal civil rights violation lawsuit against Kovach, the city and police department. He termed Kovach’s actions a “pattern of cruelty and sadistic conduct.”
Both Gill and city Law Director Greg Hicks have appeared on the CBS “Early Show” to explain what happened outside Up A Creek bar on East Market Street.
Gill explained that a friend had told her to go sit in his car, and she recalled perhaps getting in the wrong vehicle.
According to police reports, Kovach used the Taser on Gill because she refused to get out of the car that she ran to after being confronted by the officer.
Hicks has noted that Gill’s recollection may be clouded because her blood alcohol level was above the legal limit.
The law director said Gill was stunned by the officer’s Taser three times, but others who saw the police cruiser video say she may have been jolted as many as seven times.
Gill had said she was placed in a police car, and that she kicked at the car window because she felt she had been abused by Kovach.
Standing down the court hallway from Gill after the hearing, Hicks said the internal investigation of Gill’s complaint continues and any conclusions “would be premature.”
Video
Kovach has his supporters. In court were a handful of residents who say that Kovach has helped them form a block watch, including times when he was off duty.
Earlier in the day, Kovach was the subject of a pre-disciplinary hearing. He faces five violations of departmental ethics and procedures. This complaint was filed by Timothy M. Brown II of Dunstan Drive, the son of city Patrol Officer Timothy Brown.
An internal investigation showed that Kovach pulled over the junior Brown in his car. Police had been looking for his brother, Steve Brown, who was wanted on an aggravated murder charge.
Kovach later searched Timothy Brown’s car, although Kovach knew he wasn’t wanted by police.
Kovach appeared at police headquarters Thursday with Atty. Randy Weltman of the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association.
After the closed hearing, Police Chief John Mandopoulos said he will make a decision by Tuesday or Wednesday. Kovach declined to comment as he left. Mandopoulos can ignore the results of the internal investigation or recommend punishment, including firing.
Mandopoulos’ recommendation will be made to Safety/Service Director William “Doug” Franklin, who makes the final decision.
The chief did point out that the police video of Brown’s arrest was of poor quality because of the weather. “A policeman has the same rights as a citizen,” Mandopoulos added. “There are two sides to every story.”
yovich@vindy.com