Wife forgives husband for shooting

WILKES-BARRE — Patrick Baran and his wife, Sundee Baran, held each other as a Luzerne County judge sentenced him to jail on Tuesday.

Sundee Baran forgave her husband for shooting her in the lower stomach during a violent domestic dispute inside their Mountain Road, Shickshinny, home, on Jan. 9, 2012. She asked Judge Fred Pierantoni III for leniency for her husband, saying they have been married for 15 years and have known each other for 20 years.

“He is a caring, gentle man,” Sundee Baran begged the judge.

Pierantoni appreciated her statements but reminded her that he did indeed shoot her.

Patrick Baran, 40, was sentenced to 10 months to 23 months in the county correctional facility on charges of aggravated assault, followed by 36 months probation on a terroristic threat charge.

“It took her a lot to come here today to speak in your defense,” Pierantoni told Patrick.

Patrick Baran and his wife were allowed to hug each other before county sheriff deputies shackled him in the courtroom and transported him to the county jail to begin serving his sentence.

State police at Shickshinny found Patrick Baran applying pressure to a gunshot wound to his wife’s stomach. He told investigators he was arguing with his wife and grabbed a handgun from a couch.

He told his wife, “If you keep this up, you’re gonna get this,” and aimed the revolver between her legs, according to the criminal complaint.

Patrick Baran claimed his wife swiped at the handgun and struck the hammer, causing it to discharge, striking Sundee Baran in the lower abdomen.

Patrick Baran called 911 and helped his wife until state police and paramedics arrived at the house.

Attorney Stephen Greenwald represented Patrick Baran.