Officer said assault victim

A $50,000 bond for pre-trial release was set for Eric N. Gearhart, Palouse resident who faces four charges in superior court. Gearhart is charged with attacking Palouse Officer Joe Merry when the officer went to Gearhart’s residence in Palouse Aug. 9 in response to a domestic violence call.

Merry’s report said he used a Taser gun in an attempt to subdue Gearhart, but the suspect pulled out the Taser darts. Officer Merry said Gearhart charged him and put his hands around his throat.

The officer had responded to the residence after a woman, identified as Gearhart’s common law wife, reported a domestic violence complaint. The victim allegedly used a text message technique to alert friends in Garfield who called police.

Officer Merry said Gearhart was vacuuming up glass from a broken window at the time he arrived at the residence. The alleged domestic victim said Gearhart threatened her with a chair, which he slammed into a wall, and later with the leaf from a table.

In addition to a second degree assault charge involving Officer Merry, Gearhart has been formally charged with unlawful imprisonment, fourth degree assault and malicious mischief. In addition to the bail sum, he was ordered to stay out of Palouse pending trial.