Official says woman hit by stun gun was drunk

The law director says the state has taken over the probe of a woman who was stunned.

WARREN — City Law Director Greg Hicks says a woman who was jolted with a Taser stun gun during her arrest was extremely drunk at the time.

Hicks’ comments were made Wednesday during an interview with Hannah Storm on the CBS “Early Show.”

The Sept. 2 use of the Taser on Heidi Gill, 38, of Pintail Drive, Howland, led to her being charged with falsification, assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

She was taken into custody outside Up A Creek bar on East Market Street by Patrol Officer Richard Kovach, who is on paid administrative leave because of the episode.

Hicks said although the city doesn’t have the official results of the level of alcohol in Gill’s blood, initial reports say it was three times the legal limit.

Gill, the single parent of a 4-year-old son, told the “Early Show” earlier in the week she had been at a wedding and was drinking at the Warren tavern afterward.

Some words were exchanged and she was asked to leave the bar when confronted by Kovach.

Hicks explained that Gill was stunned with the Taser three times at full strength. Some who saw the video of her arrest claim she was jolted seven times.

Hicks said Gill didn’t file a complaint with the police department, and it was the police who brought the circumstances and a videotape of the arrest to the attention of the department’s internal affairs and the mayor.

Who’s handling probe

The investigation has been turned over to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, along with the Taser for analysis, the law director said. The probe will determine if Gill will be prosecuted for all the charges lodged against her.

During her TV interview, Gill explained that she first confronted Kovach as she walked out of the bar. She had been told by a friend to wait in his car, and she may have gotten into the wrong vehicle.

“I’m just sitting there relaxing, waiting for my ride home and the door swung open.

“‘Get out of the car.’ I said no. I was scared, how abrupt it was,” Gill said.

Hicks countered that Gill’s recall of the arrest may be clouded because of her drinking.

Once in a police car, Gill said she continued to kick at a window because she felt she had been abused by Kovach.

While being transferred to a second police car and handcuffed, she was again stunned. She fell and was knocked unconscious.

Gill’s attorney, Mark Hanni, has said he will file a civil rights complaint against the city because of Kovach’s actions.