Tony Shearer was found in the living room of the residence. He had suffered on gunshot wound to the head, according to police and the Butler County Coroner’s Office.
Defense attorney Jason Phillabaum said Dawn shot in self-defense after a long history of domestic abuse.
MORE: “She got to the gun first”: Lawyer claims struggle before fatal shooting
Tanya Shearer, Tony’s sister-in-law, said she never heard or saw any type of abuse.
“I am so shocked at this,” Tanya Shearer said. “Tony was a great guy, very loving and kid-friendly. My children loved heir uncle Tony.”
Tony Shearer was one of four brothers who live in the region. He worked at McSwain Carpets and Floors, just like his brothers.
On Thursday, 27 members of Tony Shearer’s family were in court for Dawn Shearer’s preliminary hearing, many wearing T-shirts with Tony’s picture on it.
Tanya Shearer said she and Tony’s br0ther, Kevin, lived with the couple while they were building a house and nothing seemed to be wrong.
“A far as I know everything was hunky dory,” she said, but added Tony and Dawn had an on-again, off-again relationship.
Tanya Shearer said the Ellis Way house belonged to Tony and that the couple was divorced.
MORE: Gun, clothes and blood samples taken from Middletown home
Tony Shearer was especially close to is 19-year-old niece, Megan, according to Tanya Shearer.
“He was her guardian angel. She is just heart-broken,” Tanya Shearer said.
Dawn Shearer is charged with murder and her case will now be considered by a Butler County grand jury. She remains behind bars.
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