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


Events

City of Greendale Give Name to New Fisherman-Lamppost

The lamppost can be found at Schnebelt Park.

Planned Water Outage July 14 in Dillsboro

The outage is expected to last about an hour.

Kids Discovery Factory Hosts 13th Annual STEAM Camp

The event inspired over 150 young innovators in Batesville.

DCF's 24th Annual Golf Scramble Fundraiser Set for August 4

The round will be played at Hidden Valley Golf Club.

EC at L'Burg Kicks Off 2025 High School Football Broadcast Schedule

See where Eagle Country 99.3 is going to be each week of the regular season.

Former Lawrenceburg Standouts in New College Football Video Game

How cool it must be to be in a video game.

On Air

George Strait Heartland 0:41
Luke Bryan Move 0:35
Tanya Tucker Down to My Last Teardrop 0:31
Florida Georgia Line Long Live 0:27