The man being chased into the Ohio River when a Gallia County parole officer drowned has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony.

Joseph N. Harris, 22, of 3176 West Jackson Road, Springfield, appeared before Judge Lorene Johnston in Jackson County Municipal Court Thursday. Johnston was sitting by assignment of the Ohio Supreme Court.

It was Harris' initial appearance on felony charges filed in connection with an incident Tuesday night in Gallipolis. David A. Poling, 32, of Crown City, drowned Tuesday while chasing Harris, who reportedly had ran after being stopped by police.

Harris is charged with causing Poling's death as a proximate result of his committing or attempting to commit a felony.

He also is charged with obstruction of official business, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly hampering or impeding a public official in the performance of his duties, causing a risk of physical harm to a public official.

During the hearing, Johnston said she would appoint counsel to represent Harris in the event he did not retain an attorney.

Johnston set Harris' bond at $500,000 for involuntary manslaughter and $250,000 for obstruction of official business, for a total bond of $750,000.

Johnston scheduled a preliminary hearing for Harris on May 30 at 9 a.m. in the Gallipolis Municipal Cour-troom.

Poling, who was formerly with the Gallia County Sheriff's Department and the Gallipolis City Police, was helping an officer from the police department pursue Harris when he went under the water in the Ohio River. Poling's body was discovered several hours later.

Harris was arrested when he swam to Gallipolis Island.

Funeral services for Poling are scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m. at the Lyne Center, located at the University of Rio Grande. Friends may call Sunday, from 4 until 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Gallipolis. There will be full military graveside services.

FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.