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Warren Taser case goes to FBI and BCI
The city hopes to have some answers in the case within
a few weeks.
By MAYSOON ABDELRASUL
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN — The case involving a police officer’s using a Taser gun on a woman outside a tavern has been given to the FBI.
Mayor Michael O’Brien and Safety/Service Director Doug Franklin had a news conference Friday to let the public know that the case is being thoroughly investigated.
“We are hoping within the next couple of weeks to see some results,” O’Brien said.
The case is also in the hands of Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, and an internal police investigation is being done.
The Taser gun has been sent to BCI. Franklin said the agency will be able to determine how many times the Taser was used and how effective it was.
Officer Richard Kovach was put on paid administrative leave after officials viewed a police cruiser tape of him using a Taser several times on the woman.
Heidi Gill, 38, of Howland, was escorted out of Up A Creek tavern on East Market Street, in Warren, during a disturbance inside the bar Sept. 2. Kovach can be seen on videotape using the Taser on Gill after she was handcuffed.
Gill ended up falling to the ground head-first and was unconscious.
She is charged with falsification, assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
No complaint filed
Gill did not file a complaint with the police department, and Franklin said it was police who brought the episode to his attention.
Gill’s attorney Mark Hanni said he is suspicious of why it took the police department so long to start the investigation. He said the longer it takes, the more time that evidence can be tampered with.
Hanni did say he was happy that other agencies are investigating what happened that night.
The case has made national news over the past two weeks. The mayor said he is not thrilled that Warren is in such a spotlight, but he wants the public to know that all appropriate action will be taken.
This should not put a negative image on the police department or the city, he said. “One incident doesn’t decide the fate of the police department,” he said.
The police department has responded to 43,000 calls this year. Franklin said this episode affects the officers to some degree but it will not get in the way of serving the people.
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