Barbara Sheehan Verdict: Self Defense in Raymond Sheehan Murder

Barbara Sheehan Acquitted in Murder Case

Barbara Sheehan, on trial for the murder of her husband, has been acquitted of murder charges in the shooting death of her husband, Raymond Sheehan. The defense argued that Raymond Sheehan, a former police officer, was violently abusive to his wife, and that Barbara shot Raymond in self-defense after he pointed a gun at her and threatened to kill her.

Raymond Sheehan was shot 11 times at their Howard Beach, Queens home on February 18, 2008. Barbara Sheehan never denied shooting her husband. At issue was whether or not she was threatened at the time.

The prosecution argued that the Sheehans' relationship was not abusive, but the jury was unconvinced, arriving at the verdict that, having acted in self-defense, Barbara Sheehan was innocent of murder.