Bainbridge police used a taser on a 72-year-old woman when she became confrontational with an officer after a dispute with her neighbors over trees they had planted.

Karen Summers Hellmuth, 72, was arrested Saturday, Oct. 4 for assault, resisting arrest and trespass after she allegedly entered a residential property and screamed at the homeowner who was planting trees.

Hellmuth, who police say has a history of mental illness, used profanities and said that the homeowner’s new trees were killing her trees.

When officers contacted Hellmuth at her trailer home, she was standing outside and talking to herself. As soon as police introduced themselves, though, she became agitated and aggressive.

According to police documents, Hellmuth jumped up and got into the officer’s face.

The officer drew her Taser stun gun, pushed Hellmuth away and ordered that she stop.

Hellmuth did not.

She came within striking distance and positioned herself in a fighting stance.

The officer deployed the Taser, but it had no effect. She then grabbed Hellmuth’s arm, but Hellmuth “round-housed” the officer with a punch to the shoulder.

A second officer responded to the scene as back-up and the two attempted to take Hellmuth to the ground as she continued to fight.

Hellmuth kicked police and tried grabbing them in the crotch. She also grabbed one officer with her fingernails and tore skin on the officer’s hand.

After Hellmuth was finally subdued, medics found no Taser darts.

She was booked into the Kitsap County Jail for third-degree assault, resisting arrest and second-degree trespass. Her bail was set at $17,000.

Hellmuth was charged with third-degree assault, a felony, in Kitsap County District Court on Monday, Oct. 6.

Third-degree assault carries a maximum five-year prison sentence and $10,000 fine upon conviction.