More than four years after Barbara Sheehan fired 11 shots into her husband, Raymond Sheehan Sr., inside their Howard Beach home, the couple’s children have released a book telling their side of the story.
The book, “In Bed With the Badge: the Barbara Sheehan Story,” hit shelves Tuesday, July 17. The story is told through the point of view of Jennifer Sheehan Joyce and Raymond Sheehan Jr., about what it was like growing up in the Sheehan home.
Their mother, Barbara, was acquitted in the 2008 murder of Sheehan, a retired NYPD officer who was reported to have been physically and emotionally abusive to Barabara and the children. She still faces five years in prison, however, on a second degree weapons conviction which she and her lawyers are in the process of appealing.
Jennifer and Raymond Sheehan Jr., who were 21 and 18 at the time of the shooting, respectively, both took the stand in defense of their mother at the 2011 trial and confirmed her reports that the retired police sergeant had been abusive.
Raymond Jr. said writing the book was intended to help those living in a broken or abusive home get out before it was too late.
“I think [the book] will help other victims of domestic violence see what the warning signs are and it will help them get out early,” he said at the family’s home. “Especially if they’re in danger. I think that was the main idea.”
He went on to reaffirm that the tome elaborated on their testimony in court.
“I hope it will reinforce the idea that none of us was lying and everything we told was the truth,” the now 22-year-old said. “These were all the stories and stuff and they can really see what we went through and how bad it was.”
Raymond Jr. added that while he didn’t think the book would bring closure, the Sheehans had been doing better than they had been.
Niall MacGiollabhui, Barbara Sheehan’s lawyer, said he had filed an appeal of the weapons conviction and was waiting for a response from the prosecution.
“We’re praying and hope that we win the appeal,” Raymond Jr. said.
— Additional Reporting by Philip Hertling
