Missoula Man Points Loaded Gun at Wife -Faces Assault Charges

On Christmas Day, Missoula police were called to a home on the city's south side after a man allegedly pointed a loaded gun at his wife's face.

Court records indicate police responded to a welfare check on Hillview Way, where a woman reported that her husband, Richard Heilman, 44, suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and was not supposed to be drinking. He was drinking that night, and he pulled a silver .45 caliber handgun and pointed it at her face. The affidavit states that the woman was in fear of her life because she thought her husband was so drunk that he might pull the trigger.

Heilman was arrested and charged with felony assault with a weapon, and misdemeanor partner or family member assault. He appeared via video in Missoula Justice Court on Thursday, and was visibly shaking and anxious during his appearance before Judge Karen Orzech. The public defender at the jail informed the judge that Heilman had not had access to his psychiatric medication for two days.

Deputy Missoula County Attorney Jordan Kilby asked Judge Orzech for high bail.

"Your Honor, the state is recommending that bail be set in the amount of $30,000, due to the serious nature of the charges," Kilby said. "However, I have information from the victim that his doctor wants him to go to the PTSD program at Fort Harrison Hospital in Helena. If that is something his doctor recommends, then the state would be agreeable to pre-trial supervision."

Judge Orzech set bail at $30,000, and did allow Heilman to be considered for pre-trial supervision. If released, he must remain in Missoula, with the exception of visiting the military hospital in Helena for treatment of his PTSD.