Leader Publications

A Niles man who tussled with police who were trying to subdue him with Tasers and slapped a nurse trying to treat him at the hospital received prison time Monday.

Berrien County Trial Court Judge Dennis Wiley imposed on Timothy Jay Grice, 51, of 35 S. 3rd St., 13 to 24 months in prison and ordered him to pay $1,998, including a $400 fine, for the July 11 disturbance.

Wiley also sentenced Grice to 93 days with credit for 34 for domestic violence and assault and battery in addition to attempting to assault and resist two police officers.

Two Niles city officers responded to what was reported as a domestic assault in progress, with the defendant “tearing up the house.”

Cans of cat food and Tupperware containers were strewn about when police arrived.

Grice was in a bedroom, where there was a knife on the dresser he threatened to use on officers.

The victim addressed the court, saying her boyfriend needs anger management classes, although he’s a good-hearted guy who only gets that way when he drinks.

That day, he had consumed two bottles of Chardonnay, Grice told Wiley.

The judge said Grice went after the officers and the nurse, which was “totally unwarranted,” indicating a severe problem with alcohol.

Grice apologized to police, the nurse and his girlfriend of nine years.