Conservative commentator Steve Gill to be released from jail after agreement reached – The Tennessean

Conservative commentator Steve Gill to be released from jail after agreement reached  The Tennessean

Judge James Martin signed a release order Thursday, minutes after Gill and his current wife came to a divorce agreement.

Political commentator and conservative talk radio host Steve Gill was ordered to be released from Williamson County jail Thursday. 

Judge James Martin signed a release order Thursday, minutes after Gill and his current wife came to a divorce agreement. 

Last week, Gill’s wife filed a temporary order of protection against Gill. She also testified in a separate case involving Gill, in which his ex-wife, Kathryn, sought more than $170,000 in child support. 

The Tennessean does not name victims in order of protection cases. 

Wearing a standard issue Williamson County jail orange jumpsuit and shoes, Gill appeared at a brief Thursday afternoon hearing that occurred after several hours of negotiations between attorneys for both sides.

The terms of the divorce agreement were not immediately known. 

In a 23-page order filed related to Kathryn Gill’s case, his current wife said he was physically and verbally abusive, threatened his power and influence against her.

“Steve has pushed me, grabbed me. He liked to block me in the shower when I am nude, screaming at me, intimidating me, calling me disgusting names,” she wrote. 

Gill only briefly addressed the court, answering Martin’s questions about the settlement agreement. 

“Yes sir,” Gill said when asked if he understood the terms of the agreement.

Martin also noted a deal had been reached in the case involving Kathryn Gill.

“It’s my understanding that as part of the work the lawyers have done today is also to resolve the perjury question in connection with the Kathryn Gill and Steven Gill matter,” Martin said. 

An attorney affirmed Martin’s understanding, saying, “We have an agreed order to pass up to you resolving the Kathryn B. Gill vs. Steven Lee Gill matter.” 

Martin accepted the agreement and then signed an order to immediately release Gill. 

Gill was sent back to jail until the order had been processed and provided to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. 

Gill had been held in jail since Martin ordered his arrest on Aug. 20. 

In recent years, Gill has been paid by former House Speaker Glen Casada, expelled former Rep. Jeremy Durham, former state Rep. Judd Matheny, former state Sen. Mae Beavers, and perennial candidate Joe Carr, who is now a state employee.  

He also co-founded a conservative website. He resigned from his role with the website while still in jail. 

Gill’s ties to Tennessee politics date back to 1990, when he was reportedly in the mix to serve as U.S. attorney. Two years later, he served as a delegate for President George H.W. Bush. Gill unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 1994 and 1996.

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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.

Published 6:30 PM EDT Aug 29, 2019