Judge Acquits Whitewater Twp. Man Who Fatally Shot Home Intruder

Johnathan Heard is a free man after winning a jury trial this week.

Johnathan Heard was acquitted of murder and other charges during a Hamilton County bench trial on August 5, 2019. Photo by Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

(Hamilton County, Oh.) - A Whitewater Township man accused of murder after an intruder entered his home has been acquitted after a trial in Hamilton County.

Johnathan Heard, 38, called 911 last December 12 to report he shot an intruder at his home on State Route 128 near Cilley Road. The man who died at the scene was Andrew Naegele, 26, of Butler County.

Prosecutors charged Heard with murder after investigators learned Naegele was Heard’s drug dealer. Naegele, who police identified as a member of the Iron Horsemen motorcycle gang, had allegedly come to the home to collect money owed for methamphetamine.

Heard took his case to a bench trial in July. On Monday, July 5, he was acquitted of all six counts he faces, including murder, attempted murder, and felonious assault.

RELATED STORIES:

Whitewater Township Homeowner Charged With Murder After Shooting, Killing Intruder

Resident Shoots, Kills Drug Dealer In His Home

 

 

More from Local News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.
Rating *

Events

USPS Celebrates National Mailbox Improvement Week

Give your mailbox a Spring makeover.

Closure Planned on State Road 1 in Dover

The project is slated to start on or after June 1.

Switz. Co's Rose to Continue Wrestling Career at Marian

Rose is a well-accomplished high school wrestler.

Girls Tennis State Tournament Pairings Revealed

The state tournament begins this week.

Local Sports Report - May 15-16, 2026

Report missing stats and scores to news@eaglecountryonline.com

On Air

Chelsie playing
Tim McGraw - Real Good Man

Blake Shelton Who Are You When I'm Not Looking? 5:34
Dylan Scott Nobody 5:32
Alan Jackson Alan Jackson - Its 5 oclock Somewhere 5:27
Doug Stone In a Different Light 5:23