By Howard Koplowitz
Barbara Sheehan, 46, of 99-08 158th Ave., was arraigned on murder and criminal possession of a weapon charges in the killing of her husband, 49-year-old Raymond Sheehan, Tuesday before Queens Criminal Court Judge William Harrington, Brown said. She was held without bail, and could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted, he said.Neighbors said they heard six shots fired at around 12:30 a.m. Monday but said they did not call police because they did not believe the noise was from a gun.”We thought it was firecrackers,” said a 158th Avenue resident who did not want to be named. “It turns out it was a little more than firecrackers.”Barbara Sheehan allegedly admitted the murder to police who responded to a 911 call from the house at around noon Monday, the DA said.The DA said she allegedly told police, “I shot him! I shot him! I think he's dead. He's in the bathroom.”Neighbors said Raymond Sheehan coached basketball at Our Lady of Grace and also helped with security at the church's bazaar. His wife was said to regularly attend services at the Catholic church.”Ray was a great guy from all my interactions with him,” said neighbor Frank Provenzano, 44, whose children were coached by the former sergeant.But others painted a less rosy picture of Raymond Sheehan, saying that there had been allegations that he was abusing his wife. They said Barbara Sheehan had her nose broken the night before the murder.One neighbor who did not want to be named said Barbara Sheehan was seen “with signs of abuse” while going to the supermarket or attending church.”It's sad to think somebody around the corner is going through that,” the neighbor said.Brown said the incident “is a terribly sad and tragic case of apparent marital discord that has left two children to grapple with the fact that not only did their father's life end in violence but that their mother has been charged in his death.”The couple have two children in college.Raymond Sheehan retired from the Police Department in 2002. Following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, he was assigned to sift through debris at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island. Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
