Jacksonville, FL — The man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and shooting her sister in the head has now pleaded not guilty.
Chad Absher made a short appearance in court Tuesday morning, following the double shooting on Jacksonville's Westside late last month.
According to family of Ashlee and Lisa Rucker, they say Absher was abusive to Ashlee Rucker leading up to the shooting.
Kim Braddock, who has been like a second mother to Lisa & Ashlee Rucker, painted her nails purple for domestic violence awareness. Family says Chad Absher repeatedly abused his ex-girlfriend, Ashlee Rucker, before ultimately killing her. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/Ec2pFmdqWF
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) November 28, 2017
Their father was in the front row of the courtroom with his girlfriend for the hearing. As they were leaving, they told our partner Action News Jax, "It was very hard seeing him, but right now, this is for the girls, to keep their names out there-- Ashlee Rucker and Lisa Rucker. This is for many other women that are going through the same things and we're going to keep the awareness going."
Absher's father was also in the courthouse Tuesday. He says both families are torn right now, but he believes his son is innocent.
Absher’s father: “Both families are torn here & my son is innocent. [The Ruckers] attacked him.” @ActionNewsJax https://t.co/HRN0j6RoAE
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) November 28, 2017
State making no offer. Absher is back in court for a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 3. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/MZsuH7TEJU
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) November 28, 2017
