The attorney for Sean M. Barrett, who is charged with killing his wife while their two children were in the house, said there was an argument between the couple followed by an accidental shooting.
Barrett, 45, is charged with first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.
He was ordered held without bail Friday at his initial court appearance in connection with the death of his wife of 14 years, Rochelle A. Barrett, 40.
Police were called to the Barretts' home, 12207 Crawford Circle, shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday. Sean Barrett was there when police arrived. Rochelle Barrett, who worked as a hair stylist, was found dead inside the home, which is southwest of 120th and Pacific Streets.
After Sean Barrett's court appearance, his attorney, James Martin Davis, said his client should be charged with second-degree murder or manslaughter.
“It certainly wasn't premeditated,” Davis said. “He never would have premeditated a homicide with the kids in the house.”
Davis said his client called 911 and reported that he had shot his wife but that it was an accident.
Davis would not elaborate on why the couple was fighting, but he did say they had been in therapy for some time. He said he believes the couple's two children, 13 and 11, were with members of Rochelle's family.
Sean Barrett was born in Grand Island and graduated from high school in Plattsmouth.
Several of Rochelle Barrett's friends and family members were at the court appearance. Some fought back tears while others were visibly angered on seeing Sean Barrett as he was led out in an orange jumpsuit.
“He stole the color of my life,” said Ryan Groff, Rochelle's brother. “He usurped one of the colors of my life.”
Davis said there was no history of violence between Sean and Rochelle Barrett. Friends have said they seemed like a happy, energetic couple.
Omaha police said there were no 911 calls from the Barretts' home on Crawford Circle in the past four years. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said he had not heard of any domestic abuse allegations involving the two.
Sean Barrett, however, was involved in a physical confrontation with his stepson in 2003, according to Douglas County Court records.
Barrett grabbed his then-13-year-old stepson by the shirt, slammed him against a wall and yelled at him because the boy was “slouching at the kitchen table,” according to a police report.
Rochelle Barrett told officers that her husband “lost it” and also grabbed the boy by the throat, holding his head against the wall.
Sean Barrett was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. The charge was dismissed after he agreed to plead guilty to disorderly conduct and pay a $100 fine.
In 2006, Barrett was charged with felony theft for taking electronic equipment from a Shopko store where he worked as a night manager. That case was dismissed in 2008 after Barrett completed a diversion program.
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