Developer claims wife shot him to avoid messy divorce

Kenneth Dearden says spouse used antique derringer in alleged attack

Emily and Kenneth Dearden
Emily and Kenneth Dearden

A Yonkers real estate developer is suing his psychologist wife for allegedly shooting him in the jaw to prevent an ugly divorce.

Kenneth Dearden, 47, was found after his wife of 18 years, Emily, allegedly shot him with an antique derringer, according to the Associated Press. Emily had been having an extramarital affair since early 2011, according to the lawsuit. The developer alleges that he was sleeping at home on November 14, 2013, when he woke up with a pain in his jaw from a gunshot to the base of his skull, according to the AP.

Even after he had found out about the alleged affair, Dearden kept on living with his wife and two daughters in their home.

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“With Plaintiff no longer in the picture, Defendant could avoid a contentious divorce, keep the marital home and never admit the marital infidelity to any family or friends,” the lawsuit states. Dearden is also alleging assault, battery and emotional distress.

Emily Dearden has been charged with attempted murder and is free on $150,000 bail. She has been suspended from her job as a New York Police Department psychologist and has moved into Manhattan. [Associated Press] Claire Moses