Man shot, now faces charges
BY JOHN ZICK GATEHOUSE MEDIA

BATH - A 31-year-old Erwin man was shot in the foot last week at Sanford Lake during a dispute that started when he allegedly attacked two other men with a hatchet, Steuben County Sheriff's deputies said Tuesday, April 29.

Richard L. Hill VI, of Indian Pipe Lane, spent three days at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira recovering from his gunshot wound.

After his release, he was charged with thirddegree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing. He was arraigned Tuesday in Bath Town Court and released to a third party.

According to deputies, Hill attacked two men with a hatchet April 23 at Sanford Lake. The men were members of Hill's camping party.

At some point during the dispute, a .22-caliber rifle broke into three pieces and accidentally discharged, striking Hill in the foot.

In addition to the aforementioned charges, Hill was cited for several violations by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Gary C. Rogers, 53, of Tall Meadow Court, Erwin, was also charged with several violations by the DEC.

If convicted of criminal possession of a weapon, Hill will face up to seven years in state prison. He is scheduled to appear in court May 15.

This is not Hill's first run in with the law.

In Nov. 2006, he led area police on a six-mile car chase while possessing a shotgun.

According to authorities, Hill punched out a window of a Bridge Street, Corning, business early on Nov. 13, 2006. The punch shattered the window and caused his hand to bleed severely, police said.

Hill then left the scene in a taxi and returned to his apartment near the intersection of Pearl and Third streets in Corning.

While at his apartment, Hill became agitated and retrieved a shotgun, which he fired in his residence and into the air outside, police said. Later, he left his home in his vehicle with the loaded gun.

Police used spike strips to stop Hill's vehicle in Campbell after a six-mile chase.

He pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of a weapon. He did not serve prison time.