The third week of the Barbara Sheehan murder trial has come to a close with the defense setting their case to rest on Monday. The last of the defense witnesses to be called were a pair of Barbara’s friends, both of whom testified that they had observed bruises on her face and body at various times and that she had worn fleece clothing in the summer and sunglasses to cover up possible signs of abuse.
Tania Broschact has known Barbara Sheehan for about 18 years, since their daughters attended the same gymnastics school. They became friends and eventually their families socialized on a regular basis.
On the stand, Broschact told the court about a Lake George vacation she and her family took with the Sheehan’s and several other families. “Jennifer Sheehan came to our room one evening when we were all supposed to go out to dinner. She was hysterical crying,” testified Broschact. According to Tania, Jennifer Sheehan travelled to the restaurant that evening with the Broschact family. When Jennifer’s parents arrived at the restaurant later, her mother [Barbara] was visibly upset, wearing sunglasses to hide black eyes beneath the dark shades.
Still another friend, Valerie Levant who worked with Sheehan at a Brooklyn Intermediate School, told the jury she had seen a bruised and battered Barbara Sheehan show up at school on more than one occasion. “I remember one time she had on a fleece jacket in June,” recalled Levant. “I left her office and then decided to go back to talk to her because I was concerned. She was not in the office so I looked around for her.” Levant went on to testify that after looking for Sheehan out of concern, she located her in the ladies room. It was there that Levant saw the bruising under the fleece jacket. It was only one of several times the co-worker said she knew Barbara had been beaten.
After Levant testified and the defense rested its case, Justice Barry Kron informed the jury that the prosecution’s case would begin on Tuesday and that court would be closed on Thursday and Friday for observance of the Jewish holiday. He said summations would likely begin on Monday with the jury being discharged for deliberation as early as next Tuesday.
The judge dismissed jurors on Tuesday morning shortly after 10 a.m. after the prosecution opened its case, because the witness scheduled for the prosecution was not present at the courthouse. Testimony in the case was also interrupted because the defense team and prosecutors battled over the admissibility of an enhanced 9-1-1 call that was made by Barbara’s sister Robin. Prosecutor Debra Pomedore argued Barbara Sheehan is in the background of the tape saying, “He was laughing. Boom, boom, boom!” The defense however, maintains it was not Barbara’s voice that spoke those words on the tape.
Outside the courtroom friends and family who continue to surround Barbara Sheehan to show support grew increasingly frustrated with what one termed as “ridiculous” accusations and falsehoods by the prosecutor. Long time family friend Jane Dietrich painted the prosecutor as unsteady in her case. “She [Pomedore] is reaching for straws. She’s not secure in what she’s doing.”
The prosecutor’s case continued as of press time on Wednesday.
By Patricia Adams
