Petitioner testifies that respondent fired a pistol during domestic dispute; court holds EPO hearing

During an emergency protective-order hearing, petitioner Jessica Dawn Dishering testified to multiple incidents of threats and aggressive conduct by the respondent, including an episode in which the respondent allegedly took a pistol, fired two shots near the porch and directly threatened her. The petitioner described the effect on the children and said the family had sought mental-health care since the incidents.

On direct examination she described repeated threats: "He told me that I would get what's coming to me, that hellfire would rain down on me," and recounted a later incident in which the respondent produced a pistol and fired while sitting on the porch: "He pulled a pistol out... and while looking at me, fired 2 shots." The petitioner said one of the shots was close to a four-wheeler and that the children heard the noise and came outside.

The court permitted the petitioner to testify and asked clarifying questions about the timing, whether firearms were present and the welfare of the children. The transcript does not include a final on-the-record ruling on whether an emergency protective order was entered during the hearing; the court indicated it would consider the testimony and additional evidence and proceed accordingly.

Next steps: the court may take further evidence and then decide whether to issue or extend a protective order. The petitioner’s testimony will be part of the record if the court schedules further proceedings.