Margaret and Roman Hiebing were among the 81,524 fans who packed into Camp Randall Stadium on Oct. 11 to watch Wisconsin play host to Penn State. When the couple arrived at their seats in Section U, Margaret could not sit in her regular seat in row 69 because it had already been taken. She sat at the end of the row, partially in the aisle, and it wasn't long before University of Wisconsin police officer Tamara Kowalski arrived.
When Kowalski told Margaret to get in her seat, Roman stepped in and asked the officer to check tickets in row 69 because some people were in the wrong seats.
According to the couple's complaint filed against the state, Kowalski "did not check the tickets." Instead, the officer grabbed Margaret's hair, pulled it backwards, and threatened to spray her with pepper spray. Kowalski called for backup and six other officers arrived and started hauling the 54-year-old woman up the stairs.
Roman tried to help his wife and was battered and falsely imprisoned, according to the claim.
When Margaret reached the top of the stairs, officer Peter Grimsyer "Tasered her repeatedly."
Police said that Margaret was "kicking and screaming" when officers tried to handcuff her. "That's when one of the officers discharged a Taser weapon on her," police spokesman Jason Whitney said. Police also said they attempted to contact guest services to help her to her seat.
"But that didn't happen, so our policy is if you are not in your seat, you get ejected," Whitney said.
Roman is retired after a career in advertising and has taught in the business and journalism schools at Wisconsin. Margaret worked as a nurse at University Hospital. The couple has had Badger season tickets for 25 years.
Thanks to Ken.
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