A jail inmate who attacked a sheriff’s deputy will get mental health treatment at Heartland Behavioral Healthcare in Massillon.
Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione made the ruling Monday in the case of William A. Givens. On April 6, the judge found Givens not guilty by reason of insanity of felonious assault and other charges.
Givens, 42, of Alliance, punched deputy Joshua Vacha in the face Dec. 22 when Vacha and another deputy tried to take Givens to see a jail psychologist, according to testimony. The punch broke Vacha’s nose.
Givens was suffering from a severe mental illness and didn’t know right from wrong at the time of the attack, according to a psychological evaluation.
Givens can remain under court supervision for 11 years.
