N.H. woman cleared in justified shooting death of estranged husband

In early February, Michael S. Carney, 44, of Sullivan, New Hampshire, was shot and killed in a residence in the town of Stoddard.  His autopsy revealed that he died as a result of two gunshot wounds.  Days following Carney’s death, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office ruled his death a homicide.  The Attorney General also announced that his office was looking into the shooting as a possible case of self-defense.

At the time, the only other information released about the case came in the form of a press release where “the Attorney General’s Office stated there were two other people at the home at the time of the shooting: a woman and a young child. Both were uninjured,” according to The Sentinel Source.

On July 26, new information was released by New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald in conjunction with the New Hampshire State Police that Nicole Carney, 36, of Stoddard, shot and killed her estranged husband, Michael S. Carney.  It was further reported by The New Hampshire Union Leader that the ex-wife was justified in using deadly force in that shooting.  Nicole Carney will not be charged in her estranged husband’s shooting death.

As the investigation into the shooting ensued, it was determined by investigators that on February 9, Michael Carney broke into his estranged wife’s new home in Stoddard.  He refused to leave the premises.  Nicole Carney feared for her life and believed that Michael Carney was about to use deadly force against her or her daughter.

In a 24-page report released on July 26 by the Attorney General, investigators stated that “Nicole Carney held off on using deadly force until she felt Michael Carney was about to reach her and her daughter.”  Investigators also learned that the ex-husband had a history of being abusive to Nicole “and told her earlier that day that he hoped she would die,” according to the Union Leader.

Written by: Ace News Today Staff