Paragraph seven reads: "According to the affidavit, Leonard has a history of depression and had been admitted to the New Hampshire Hospital for treatment, but had stopped taking his medications just days before the shooting."

SSRI Stories note: Withdrawal can often be more dangerous than continuing on a medication. It is important to withdraw extremely slowly from these antidepressants, usually over a period of a year or more, under the supervision of a qualified specialist. Withdrawal is sometimes more severe than the original symptoms or problems.

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Man indicted in sister's death

New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, NH) - Thursday, June 24, 2010
NASHUA -- An Amherst man accused of shooting his sister was indicted on first- and second-degree murder charges by a Hillsborough County North grand jury.

Robert J. Leonard, 25, is accused of shooting his sister, Trina Leonard, 28, twice in the head March 28 in the home at 17 Pinetop Road where they both lived.

The first-degree indictment alleges he purposely caused his sister's death, while the second-degree indictment alleges he recklessly caused her death by shooting her.

According to documents unsealed in Milford District Court earlier this month, the victim's children, ages six and eight, witnessed the shooting.

According to the search warrant affidavit, Leonard turned himself in to Bedford police the night of the shooting, saying he had killed his sister and that an argument about doing laundry led to the shooting.

The affidavit said that when Amherst police went to the home, "The two children who were in the house told (the Amherst officer) that their 'Uncle Bob' did it."

According to the affidavit, Leonard has a history of depression and had been admitted to the New Hampshire Hospital for treatment, but had stopped taking his medications just days before the shooting.

A party at the house the night before had kept him awake, he allegedly told officers, and when he wanted to do laundry that Sunday night, his sister told him he couldn't because she was doing hers.

"He stated that he went to get his gun, which he kept in the ceiling of his bedroom," the affidavit said. "He stated that he put the gun in his pocket and kept it there for the next two hours, in case he and his sister argued again. He stated that they did begin to argue again and he went into her bedroom and shot her."

After the first shot allegedly knocked him off his feet and jammed the gun, he unjammed it, reloaded, and fired again, the affadavit said.

While he was trying to unload it, the gun fired three more times, according to the affidavit.

Leonard is being held without bail.
Page: 03
Location(s): NH
Record Number: mandc5-5v0iswyx2ec1ig4ate67
Copyright, 2010, Union Leader Corp.
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Man indicted in sister's death