PEORIA, Ill. — Heather Oyler has offered new details on the July 30 incident that landed her husband, At-Large Peoria City Councilman Zach Oyler in jail.
Oyler faces a January trial on misdemeanor charges of domestic battery and interfering with a report of domestic violence.
Heather Oyler told the Peoria Journal Star they did get into an argument that night, but that her perspective on the specific matters where Zach Oyler is charged were misunderstandings without violent intent.
Heather Oyler said she has dealt with issues of mental health, and had issues with changes in her treatment at the time of the argument that might have affected how she reacted that night.
The charge lodged by prosecutors against Zach Oyler relating to interfering with a report of domestic violence could stem from police reports that he took his wife’s keys and cell phone away from her during the dispute.
Heather Oyler said her husband was trying to calm her down.
After having a couple of drinks earlier in the night, “he knew he couldn’t drive, and he knows that if I take my medication I take before I go to sleep for my diagnosis that I can’t drive either,” Oyler said.
Heather Oyler told police that she had not taken her medication, but her husband did not know that at the time of the argument.
In regards to another allegation, Heather Oyler said that her husband did not put his hands around her neck.
Zach Oyler was scheduled for a status hearing Wednesday morning.
Days after the incident, the order of protection that Heather Oyler filed July 31 was dismissed, and a divorce filing later was dropped.
Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos said that prosecutors would continue to review the case.
