Air Force Veteran Colleen McKernan Shot Husband Robert 10 Times; Plead Guilty to Manslaughter to Avoid 3rd Trial, Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison (2014)

Robert McKernan, 29, was shot ten times in his home in Massillon, Ohio by his wife Colleen on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2014. Originally charged with murder, US Air Force veteran Colleen McKernan went to trial twice in 2016 and both times jurors were deadlocked. Colleen claimed she had been ‘hit by her husband’ of eight months for the last time and admitted shooting him ten times in self-defense. It was duly noted that Colleen was a Security Forces airman who not only had extensive fire arms training but that training included how to stay calm in stressful situations and environments. Colleen McKernan accepted a plea deal on the eve of her third trial and was given a 7-year sentence for manslaughter in 2017. Under the plea deal, Colleen could serve as little as 3 1/2 years in prison.

Related Links:
Northeast Ohio police investigate fatal shooting
Air Force Veteran Accused of Killing Husband on New Years Eve
Two Stark County murders keep police busy overnight
Two killed in Stark overnight: Wife charged with murder in Massillon; second man killed in Canton Township
Shooter tells 911 that ‘husband hit her for the last time’
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Parents of Massillon woman accused of killing husband ask for lower bond
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“They’re angels:” Mother, grieving her son’s murder, blown away by actions of complete strangers
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McKernan murder trial: Couple argued night of fatal shooting
Coroner: Robert McKernan shot 10 times
Coroner: Robert McKernan shot 10 times (2)
Defense begins its case in Colleen McKernan murder trial
Aug. 15 is new trial date for Colleen McKernan
Dissecting second trial of Colleen McKernan as defense continues making its case
MISTRIAL: McKernan back in court Tuesday after jury fails to reach verdict in murder trial
Colleen McKernan to be tried again for murdering husband
Testimony Underway In 2nd McKernan Trial
Coroner: 10 bullets found in Robert McKernan’s body
Defense argues Robert McKernan was shot in face first
Prosecutor Grills Colleen McKernan After She Sobs Through Story of Shooting Husband
Attorney Ian Friedman Discusses Retrial of Colleen McKernan for Murder
Trial in fatal New Year’s Eve shooting ends in 2nd hung jury
Deadlocked again: Judge declares mistrial in McKernan case, third trial possible
Trial in fatal Canton, Ohio New Year’s Eve shooting ends in 2nd hung jury
Newlywed Colleen McKernan’s Murder Trial Ends With Second Hung Jury
Attorney Ian Friedman Discusses Similarities Between Both Colleen McKernan Murder Trials
Colleen McKernan Looks To Relocate
McKernan jurors: What if Colleen and Rob’s roles were reversed?
McKernan could serve 3 1/2 years under plea deal
Colleen McKernan reaches plea deal, avoids third murder trial
Colleen McKernan Reaches Plea Deal
Storify: Colleen McKernan agrees to plea deal
Colleen McKernan: Father Speaks Out–Part 1
Colleen McKernan: Father Speaks Out–Part 2
Mother of Rob McKernan’s son reacts to Colleen McKernan’s plea agreement
‘Til Death Do Them Part: A Husband Pushed Off a Cliff, a Wife Drowns and Other Newlywed Homicides
Colleen McKernan on Shooting Husband | 48 Hours
The Ultimate Pledge | Bride Killa (Investigation Discovery)
The Ultimate Pledge | Bride Killa (Investigation Discovery on YouTube)
48 Hours Premiered ‘The Evidence Room’ on CBS (2017)
Incident | Gun Violence Archive | Robert McKernan, Ohio


New Years Eve 2014 a holiday full of anger destroys a young Ohio couple when one is charged with the other’s murder. But this marriage is not a story of deceit and betrayal but rather a cautionary tale of how a volatile relationship can develop. -Bride Killa, Investigation Discovery

Air Force Retiree Willy Jackson Found Dead in Colorado Springs Home; Wife Tony Jackson Confessed to Stabbing, DA Ruled Self-Defense (June 24, 1994)

When an Air Force veteran dies unexpectedly, Kenda and his team must determine if it was a tragic accident or premeditated murder. But before long, they discover that their clean-cut victim had a secret life. -Rest in Peace, Homicide Hunter (S9,E5)

Air Force Retiree Willy Jackson, 65, was found dead on the bedroom floor of his Colorado Springs home on June 24, 1994. At initial observation, there were no ligature marks, no bullet wounds, and no trauma observed at all. Willy’s wife Tony suggested he died of alcohol poisoning. Nonetheless, this was a suspicious death and detectives began their investigation. After the medical examiner arrived on scene, he turned the body over and observed a small puncture wound in Willy’s thigh. Investigators also found blood on the mattress and it was concealed with new sheets. Lt. Joe Kenda suspected either Tony or her son had something to do with this incident. After the autopsy was conducted, investigators learned Willy was stabbed with a steak knife and bled to death. Kenda got a warrant to search Willy’s home. The police sprayed luminal and discovered the stabbing occurred in the kitchen. There were blood stains all over the house.

Kenda wanted Tony to take a polygraph test. Before the polygraph was conducted, Willy’s wife Tony Jackson stopped the process and admitted she stabbed Willy. She claimed she did it in self-defense because he was drunk and annoyed that Tony was on the phone with her son’s dad. She said he began choking her and she grabbed a knife from the kitchen and poked him in the leg. Willy went to bed and she never suspected his wound would kill him. She cleaned up the house. After reviewing the case, the District Attorney concluded that Tony Jackson was acting in self-defense and declined to press murder charges. The investigators believed her too. Her crime was cleaning up blood and she was charged with that. She was sentenced to three years of supervised probation. If Willy wasn’t so drunk and passed out, he may have been able to save his own life.

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Related Links:
Rest in Peace | Homicide Hunter | Investigation Discovery (S9,E5)
Rest in Peace | Homicide Hunter | Investigation Discovery (website)
Rest in Peace | Homicide Hunter | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Rest in Peace | Homicide Hunter | Investigation Discovery (Hulu)
Homicide Hunter Premiered ‘Rest in Peace’ on ID: Kenda Investigates Suspicious Death of Air Force Retiree Willy Jackson (September 25, 2019)
Homicide Hunter: 15 Active Duty Military and Veteran Murder Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery