Document text
40 °F 5 Day Forecast Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 27, 2003 Attacker gets 30-year sentence Ashland schizophrenic who fired rifle toward gas station attendant will be sent to hospital By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune A woman who shot at an Ashland gas station attendant earlier this year will spend 30 years under the supervision of state psychiatric authorities. A schizophrenic, Michelle Dawn Heuertz, 34, was found guilty except insane Wednesday of attempted murder and second-degree assault. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Lorenzo Mejia ordered her committed to the Oregon State Hospital in Salem. She will spend 30 years under the supervision of the psychiatric security review board, which supervises about 650 mentally ill criminals around the state. Heuertz, who also uses the last name Hernandez, was arrested the evening of May 6 after firing a 22-caliber rifle at an employee of the Shell gas station on Ashland street. As a female employee was leaving the station’s restroom around 8:25 p.m., she saw Heuertz standing about 20 feet away, investigators said. Heuertz aimed the rifle at the employee and fired. The shot grazed the woman’s chin as she ran into the station’s convenience store, yelling at her male co-worker to call police, detectives said. Advertisement Heuertz came into the store and pointed the rifle at the man while he was on the phone, police said. The two employees ducked under the store’s counter, and Heuertz walked out without saying anything, police said. Officers caught up with Heuertz as she walked down Ashland Street with a .22-caliber rifle slung across her body. She has remained in the Jackson County Jail since her arrest. Finding no apparent motive for the attack, prosecutors and defense attorneys determined early in the case’s development that Heuertz should undergo a psychiatric evaluation. A local psychologist said Heuertz has schizophrenia, which causes her to become paranoid and psychotic with little warning. About two hours before the shooting, Heuertz had called Ashland Police Department to turn herself in for a probation violation. But she used a different name, and officers said they were unable to locate any warrants for her arrest. Jail officials later confirmed a probation violation charge against Heuertz, who listed no local address in court files. She was convicted of first-degree arson in 2000. None of Heuertz’ family were present at Wednesday’s 10-minute court hearing. Heuertz spoke only to tell Mejia that she understood she was giving up her right to have a jury hear the case. She and her attorney agreed with prosecutors on the facts of the crime and sentence. Unlike prison, a sentence under the state’s psychiatric security review board teaches patients how to manage their mental illness, compels them to take medication and complete treatment, and eventually releases them to live in society. Reach reporter Sarah Lemonat 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times