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Trial Begins for Man Accused of Killing Ex-Girlfriend

Courtroom scene from the Bluffton murder trial.

News Summary

John Patrick Shea is facing trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Jillian Angner, who was shot while driving her son to school. Angner died from her injuries five months after the incident. Shea, who has pleaded not guilty, faces multiple charges including murder and attempted murder. The prosecution claims the shooting was premeditated due to Shea’s obsession, while the defense argues there is insufficient evidence. The case has drawn significant attention in the Bluffton community.

Bluffton, South Carolina – John Patrick Shea, a 29-year-old man, is on trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Jillian Angner, who was 25 at the time of her death. The trial follows a tragic incident on March 2, 2023, when Angner was shot while driving her 6-year-old son to school. Shea faces multiple serious charges including murder, attempted murder, and discharging a firearm into a vehicle. If convicted, he could be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, and there is also a possibility of facing the death penalty under South Carolina law.

Angner was critically injured by multiple gunshots during the incident and succumbed to her injuries about five months later, on August 5, 2023. Fortunately, her son was not harmed and was able to manage his escape from the vehicle after the shooting. The incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. near Angner’s residence on Harrison Island Road, triggering a lengthy battle for survival that ultimately ended in her death.

Immediately following the shooting, emergency personnel rushed Angner to a hospital in Savannah, where she fought for her life for several months. Angner had been a graduate of Bluffton High School and worked as a certified technician at the Ulmer Family Pharmacy & Wellness Center, where she was known for her commitment to her career.

Shea and Angner had a brief relationship in 2022, which ended in October of that year. A week after the shooting, Beaufort County deputies arrested Shea, initially charging him with two counts of attempted murder. The murder charge was added once Angner passed away as a result of her injuries. Shea has been held without bond for over two years and has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.

As the trial began, jury selection concluded just a day prior to the opening statements, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle. The prosecution described the shooting as a premeditated act, alleging that Shea was motivated by an unhealthy obsession with Angner following their breakup. Part of the evidence presented by the prosecution included testimony from Wyatt Norton, a friend of Shea who was present during the shooting. Norton initially misled authorities regarding his involvement but later revealed pivotal information that aided in Shea’s arrest.

In contrast, the defense has argued that there is a lack of physical evidence directly linking Shea to the crime, pointing out that the weapon used in the shooting has never been recovered. They further speculated that Angner’s ex-husband could be responsible for the shooting, noting a resemblance between his vehicle and one seen in surveillance footage near the crime scene. Throughout the proceedings, the defense has also expressed concerns about the thoroughness of the police investigation, suggesting it was incomplete and negligent.

As the trial continues, the prosecution is expected to call up to 11 additional witnesses to strengthen their case against Shea. The testimonies, coupled with the evidentiary material, will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of this high-profile case involving a deeply tragic shooting that has resonated throughout the Bluffton community.