Former NYPD psychologist sentenced to prison for shooting her husband in the head

June 8, 2017

On June 7, 2017, Emily Dearden, a former NYPD psychologist, was sentenced to 3 ½ half years in prison for shooting her husband in the head while he slept in November 2013.  Their two daughters were sleeping just a few feet away from the bedroom when she shot him.  Her husband claims the attack was fueled by her affair with a Texas executive.   

She was originally charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault and criminal possession of a firearm.  In February 2017, she pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree assault and was promised 3 ½ years of prison time in a plea deal.

At the sentencing, Judge Barry Warhit said, “"Your actions were horrific. … It was repugnant. You cemented for all time your legacy, a legacy, sadly, that you've left to your children, your two daughters. A legacy that their mother shot their father in the head while he slept.”

SOURCES: Matt Spillane, “Ex-NYPD psychologist Emily Dearden sentenced to prison for shooting husband,” Lohud (part of the USA Today network), 8 Jun 2017, http://www.lohud.com/story/news/crime/2017/06/08/emily-dearden-nypd-psychologist-sentenced/380034001/; Matt Spillane and Jonathan Bandler, “Yonkers: NYPD shrink Emily Dearden pleads guilty in husband's shooting,” The Journal News, 17 Feb 2017, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/crime/2017/02/17/emily-dearden-nypd-psychologist-husbands-shooting/98045450/.