Wells, New York

From July 9, 2005 Capital News channel 9:

Hamilton County investigators said Joan O'Neill shot her husband in the back, killing him inside their home in the Town of Wells. Joan was charged with Second Degree murder. Now, the grand jury has reached a different conclusion.

"She will face no criminal charges and no prosecution for the events that took place on May 4," said Special Prosecutor Louise Sira.

At a press conference, Special Prosecutor Louise Sira painted a dark picture of how the events unfolded over the years.

"Mr. O'Neill has suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. He is a combat veteran of Vietnam," said Sira.

He is also decorated for saving another soldier's life. But Sira said the stress that ended his career as a Schenectady police officer also led to threats against his family, and were backed up by the nine illegally owned and loaded handguns he kept around the house.

"Mr. O'Neill made it extremely clear to Mrs. O'Neill that if she called the police again, he would kill the police officer who came to the house," said Sira.