According to police documents obtained by WFAA, Merridith Nunley, the woman accused of fatally shooting her ex-husband in Plano on Friday, claimed he had become physically aggressive towards her, prompting her to defend herself. She also stated that she was in a “trance” at the time of the incident and that she shot David Nunley after learning he had been communicating with an “illegal” woman.
Plano police confirmed that there had been numerous prior disturbances and welfare-related calls to the residence involving domestic disputes. David Nunley had filed a protective order against Merridith in 2022, expressing concerns for his own and his children’s safety. In his petition, he described her past mental health issues and detailed incidents of her pointing a gun at him, biting him, hitting him, and damaging his car.
Friends of Merridith Nunley, who wished to remain anonymous, informed WFAA that she had confided in them about David Nunley’s physical and emotional abuse in the past. One provided a text message allegedly sent by Merridith in March, claiming that David had “lost it” on one of their children, resulting in harm.
Merridith Nunley’s attorney, Mitch Nolte, emphasized that his client maintains her actions were in self-defense. He stated that more information from various sources was needed to fully understand the situation.
The Plano Police Department’s Public Information Officer, Jennifer Chapman, indicated that detectives would thoroughly investigate the claim of self-defense. She explained that it is considered in all such cases as part of their efforts to ascertain the facts.
Police documents reveal that Merridith Nunley had previously reported incidents of domestic violence involving her ex-husband to the authorities, but claimed to have been held responsible herself. Court documents indicate that their divorce was finalized in October 2022, with David Nunley gaining custody of their children.
In his petition for the protective order, David Nunley expressed deep concerns about Merridith’s short temper and explosive behavior, alleging that she had threatened suicide on multiple occasions and had undergone multiple 30-day treatment programs for mental issues.
While Merridith Nunley’s friends acknowledge her struggles with depression, they firmly believe that she would never have harmed her children. At the time of the shooting, none of the children were present at the residence, as confirmed by police.
