Barbara Sheehan and Hedda Nussbaum, two women driven to the brink - Only in New York - Episode 3
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Barbara Sheehan and Hedda Nussbaum. Their stories became a window into the frightening realities of domestic violence, as the media questioned how the criminal-justice system handles the cases of battered women.
On a cold day in Howard Beach, housewife Barbara Sheehan was arrested for gunning down her husband, a retired NYPD detective. She fired 11 shots with two of his guns while he was shaving in the bathroom. Her defense? Sheehan claimed she had no choice - he would have killed her first.
At the trial, Sheehan testified that she was the victim of her husband’s relentless physical abuse. The central mystery: Was Sheehan in imminent danger when she pulled the trigger? Her freedom would hinge on how the jury answered that question.
Created by Heath Benfield
Produced by Heath Benfield and Mike Lee
Production Coordinator - Mike Lee
Director of Photography - Colin Sonner
Supervising Editor - Dmitry Trakovsky
Executive Producers - David Hyman, Bart Feder and Chris Wayland
Colorist - Markus Englmair
Production Assistant - Matthew Santora
Title Artist - Steve Mitas
Watch all episodes: • PIX11 Originals | Only...
I think she carried on shooting because she was petrified he would still manage to get at her somehow - she carried on until she was sure he couldn't get up and kill her. How they expected her to think clearly at that moment is beyond me.
As a past victim of domestic violence and sexual assault at the hands of my ex husband I understand her. My ex husband was loved by others and no one knew the real monster he was. I could only imagine what it would have been like had he been a cop. To often we don’t know what happens behind closed doors.
It’s not often as easy to just leave.
I know, I lived it, but when opportunity came knocking I walked thru the door. It was not easy but I escaped.
@@marygraham3189good for you. Sometimes other women are too terrified!
I'm sorry that happened to you. In my case it was my father. He never touched my mom and she wasn't the slightest afraid of him treated her like a queen. But he had a bad temper with his kids very bad temper. He owned Casino's and lottery centres and advertising business he was a well know respected Italian businessman we had a nice house My siblings and I thought it was normal till we got older. But saying anything and not being believed was too big a risk. It was confusing though because he also was loving at times and was always there when we needed him and was an excellent provider. But you never knew when you'd get hit. It created a great deal of confusion even still since I am now closer to him as a grownup and he mellowed with age and I still love him. But sometimes I'm angry and can't sleep cause of the bad memories of things he used to do with his bad temper.
I hate that women had to defend themselves in an abusive marriage/relationship because the law didn't and still have to spend years in prison. Leaving means death. It's you or them.
She shouldn't have had to go to prison at all!
Don't stop at only 4 episodes! Keep it going Pix 11! Ultra excellent work!
I hope they can go up to 11 episodes. I’m always waiting to Friday for these episodes
They stopped 😢
5 years had nothing to do with the gun and everything to do with the fact he was a policeman.
Yes, and the prejudice of the judge.
There are monsters out there, they were raised with this violence, get the hell out! I almost killed my x, so glad God spoke to me and made me run! No woman can go toe to toe with a man.
So sad that women are un-supportive of each other, the horrific life they had is unreal.
I’m sorry... I can understand Barbara’s story. But the mother who allowed her child to die at the hands of their abuser? I don’t understand that. I’m a domestic violence survivor, so I’ve been there. But I would die a thousand deaths before I ever let ANYONE harm my child
Me too. Thanks Holly. Many, many sociopathic women hide behind the domestic violence shield to hide their own crimes.
She didn't want to lose her pathetic husband to the law if she did anything. She kept quiet to keep him. Didnt care about the children. He was using little Lisa to triangulate with and making Hedda jealous. Both of them should have been in prison for life.
@@pallasathena1369 I agree completely
@@TheTeganOsmondChannel it still boils my blood that she got off and made money from her "victimhood".. I am hoping more people show up this case on UA-cam.
@@pallasathena1369 I agree. Do you know of anyone covering this? I'd love to give them some support
I hate when they say she had the opportunity to leave - no she did not. it's obvious that woman had never been in a spot like that, I have and can confirm you cannot just up and leave.
I hate when people say why didn’t they just leave! I would ask it also if I hadn’t been in that situation myself. It’s such a sickening control and mental abuse. I would’ve preferred to have my ass beat everyday and not hear him say a word to me. I eventually left. Thank god. But I was afraid for years. My children were used over my head- said things like if you call the cops they’ll take the kids- with other things.
It's not easy or economically possible for many women to leave. And the older the children the harder. Mind controlling takes on a different life. Everyone says why didn't you leave. Try it when someones hobby is trying to kill you on a 24/7 basis.
And its easier to kill someone while they were sleep?
@@julsbulls5523 Good point !
Hedda should have been jailed, what that innocent child suffered is unspeakable cruelty,
Awesome series, keep up the great work!
That poor woman. That jerk of a husband would have killed her if she hadn’t shot him again. My mother was abused for 18 years. We left so many times. We moved to different cities. He always found us. Always. One day when I was 12 we went to go to school and there he was sleeping at our door with a shotgun. The landlord called the police. We moved by noon that day. He found us at the new place. We moved again. He was inside the house that night. There was no escaping. None. So people that say ‘why didn’t she leave?’ She couldn’t. He was a police officer and would have found her and killed her.
By the Grace of God I was able to leave bc I was NOT going to allow my daughter to grow up believing this was how life is supposed to be.
She was 4 years old and saved my life, too long to text it here…
The state of Georgia paid for both our counceling .. my little daughter thought she had to take care of me and the counceling helped to let her know Mommy was hurt yet got us out and I’m able to keep her safe and make a safe Haven at home and with me and God Almighty first and foremost. She is SPC Hoffman MP and in college to be an EMT…
I raised her on my own after all that !!! I thank Jesus Christ!!
As a NY'er,I remember. I was very young for the Nussbaum case,I am a survivor and a mothet.I understand not being yourself but sacrificing the child, no..personally no.
As for the other mother, 11 bullets probably happened before she knew it.I know in my head I'd be beyond petrified that this man would get up.
I left he found me they make it very difficult as do many people around them.I am lucky for my family,blessed.
I pray for us all to leave instantly and be survivors or EVEN BETTER IT NEVER HAPPENS TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN.
be that ear to a friend female or male,you may save their life.🖤
we remember you baby Lisa.
How much can one person take? We all have a breaking point. Look at what Hedda looked like before her body was before being abused. She looked like a totally different person.
I am so glad Barbara is free finally, and Hedda too. Of all the talk we do of wars and other problems, it is still all around the world that humans continue to abuse and torture each other which I see as the true main problem in the world. I do not know how to end it except with continual education, loving presentations, spiritual connections, and speaking and doing the truth. We are all connected and this is all our work, together.
She did it in self defense. Any abused wife would!
I just happen to see this story on an old Opra 2009 show. And after hearing and seeing Barbara story, I feel he would have killed her and she did kill him in self defense! Their own daughter witnessed the abuse! I found that she did what she needed to save her life, her kids and her family of whom he talked about killing. They all lived in fear! I pray she is living a productive safe life! My children father was abusive. I understand Barbara protecting herself and her family! She should not have had to spend one day in jail! Wishing her well! It's the best feeling ever to be out of any type of abusive relationship.
As someone who’s father was severely abused by my mother (as was I) in ways unimaginable, you can’t just ‘leave’ sometimes. These people are monsters, they are not human, it is unbearable. Not enough people discuss how men can be victims of domestic violence at the hands of their spouses as well but Domestic violence happens regardless of which gender is the perpetrator. I do not believe the me too movement and “believe all women” because sometimes people lie but this one? She should not have spent a day in jail, not even a second in cuffs.
This lady should not have gone to prison. The jury agreed she defended herself against deadly physical force and had every right to do so, but got her on weapons possession. That's bullshit. She did not buy these guns out a trunk in an alley, they belong to her attacker. He introduced the guns into HIS crime of assaulting his wife, upping the threat of imminent death. She got one away and opened fire. If you search police shootings on this medium, you can still be a threat even with 5 rounds in you, so yes...she grabbed the 2nd weapon, his glock and opened fire again. That's her punishment for 1: standing up to a cop, albeit retired, but pretty much still part of the boys club, and 2: actually using a firearm to do so. 5 fuckin years on her first EVER offense? Tell me politics didn't play a part in that 5 year sentence...let alone the goddamn conviction?We all know how most new yorkers feel about guns. They couldn't let her walk on the gun charge. It would have gutted the Sullivan act and changed NY's gun laws for the BETTER as opposed to the bullshit that stands today.
Hedda did nothing while Joel killed thier illegally adopted daughter! She could've left! Her excuses are BS! Thier also illegally adopted son was neglected!
Where is Barbara today? Her 5 years surely are over...curious what her life looks like now!
I'm curious too.
Hedda never lifted a finger to help Lisa though
The kids were scared must have been very bad.
Think about it..... The judge gives her 5 years for being found innocent of murder but guilty of using her husbands gun. I could not think of a better way to show the world of his displeasure of this jury's verdict. This prison term he gave her begs the question; "Why"? Just think about it. Are you thinking what I am thinking? Could a judge actually be a....................HHHMMMMMM
Record everything and th3re will be no question what happened. Ladiew if you can please secretly record whats going on. Even if it's just audio someone hidden in the room. Its the best way to protect yourself if anything like this should happen.
Good job Barbara!
I don't blame Jennifer for attending her monster of a father's funeral.
My fellow woman are too eager to blame. They say "if it was me I would" They've no clue what it's like to be at the mercy of a man like that. Both Hedda and Lisa''s abuse was hideous!. She had broken bones and broken mind and didn't know if protecting Lisa would provoke him into killing them all. " Not calling the ambulance" Because in her mind he would be all powerful. Stalk home syndrome! She's be thinking he'll get away with it and then he'll kill me. Didn't people see her injuries for crying out loud!
A woman can take so much and be pushed so far
There is a missing episode. The cases of wrongly convicted prisoners.
Looking for Episode Two? ua-cam.com/video/kYFfhnixOdM/v-deo.html
Why did yall stop producing these videos
I am sorry to say this , if a person is severely abused and they kill there abuser , they should get a, get out of jail free . Abuse is silent , my mom married my narcism father , he was no picnic . They were married 18 years . Weird thing my mom never remarried , loved him her whole life . Last person she talk to before she died . It took many years to forgive him .
I am so glad she pkay and out. Somwone who kills the abuser be it man woman or child and the abuse is well known and theres proof as with this case they should NOT face jail time at all. I Love here spirit. I am so overjpyed for her. I hope she and her children can continue to live love and laugh. Barbara Sheehan you are strong, worthy, beautiful, Loved and Amazing.
If somebody knows how long Barbara-Sheehan had to stay in prison please let me know.
I believe she shouldn't spend even one day there.
Whoever experience prolong abuse from her husband or his wife knows how it feels and what that does to a person.
The jury and the judge were sorry to say STUPID or at lest without an imagination. Because for sure without their own experience dealing with a case like this.
Or even maybe some of them were perpetrators themselves in their own homes.
Please let me know what happened to her.
I only find info that she tried to ask a clemency from gov. Andrew Como, but I didn't found the outcome of it.
Same here
I get so tired of hearing people say she should have left him. Left him and what have him come after her murder her? Have her get a restraining order that the police won't help with and he still comes around and kills her? Have her leave him and call the police every time he gets around and they don't get there on time so he kills her? Leave him and hide and he uses his job to find her or has private detectives or whatever find hit her? You've never been in the situation. Look at that one girl I can't think of her name but I think it was Tracy where her ex-husband came to her and stabbed her so many times and there was a policeman standing right there watching it. She left a minute did no good. Look at the movie The Burning Bed which was a true story and she couldn't get away from him and she left him and it did no good. Don't say she should have left him she did the only thing she could have to get away from that monster
Her name is Tracy Thurman. She was viciously attacked by her husband back in 1983. He stabbed her 13 times and kicked her in the head and broke her neck and cut her throat.
Hedda is a heroine.
He looked a little crazy to me.
When we just sense we are in some imminent danger - its in the surroundings and/or home - just leave -run. Dont wait for confirmation - it might be too late.
Seinfeld's brother?
did she go to jail???
It's pretty obvious some women think they're marrying a wonderful person but it quickly turns into a hostage situation.
People who ask why they didn't leave are simpletons. The fear of being murdered keeps them in line.
Nah mate that's BULLSHITE! I was abused, and left, literally LEFT IN MY PAJAMAS TO MY NEIGHBOUR DOWN THE STREET, I WAS 12. THE MORNING MY CUNT FATHER WAS PASSED OUT FROM A NIGHT OF DRINKING! I CUT OUT! if you give a shite about your Life then when you get a chance you book! YOU FIGHT! I'm sick.of people being afraid..FIGHT! TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND FAMILY.
Jesus Murphy...
Raymond,,, what a dog!