The Chippewa Falls woman accused of fatally shooting a man in her home on Lake Wissota was in court today for a bond hearing. 49-year-old Julie Birtzer appeared in person today in Chippewa County Court. Investigators say she shot and killed 51-year-old Ralph Hakes. A lot of friends and family were there to support Birtzer.

Birtzer was in tears when she entered the courtroom and waited for Judge Thomas Sazma to set bail.

Birtzer’s Attorney Steve Gibbs says "she’s very shaken up as a result of this. There's a flood of emotions that she's going through at this time. She misses her children and her family."

There are no formal charges in the case yet, but Judge Thomas Sazma did set bail at $200,000 dollars. He also ruled that Birtzer not talk about the case to anyone except her attorney.

"I anticipated a higher cash bail, but I believe the District Attorney's Office took into consideration the self defense aspect of the case” says Gibbs.

"I think a person needs to understand that these are very serious and that that warrants that high of a cash bond" state District Attorney Wade Newell.

Gibbs says the shooting was an act of self defense and that Birtzer feared for her and her family's safety.

"Ralph Hake's family supports Julie 100% in this matter" says Gibbs.

But, Newell says Birtzer told investigators she shot Hakes while he was lying in bed, indicating she was in no immediate danger. Newell mentioned in court that Birtzer and Hakes were arguing about the dogs and Hakes talked about killing them, but Newell would not comment further.

Newell says "situations should never get to this point in time where it would be a homicide. You can't use deadly force unless you're actually protecting your life."

Newell says this support from both families could have an effect on the case, but that doesn't justify what she did.

"Here in Chippewa County we do our best to hold offenders accountable" says Newell.

Although the family was very emotional in the court room, they did not want to comment about the case. Deputies at the Chippewa County Jail tells us Birtzer was released at 5:15 Friday after $200,000 in cash was paid to the Clerk of Courts. Birtzer will be back in court June 28th at 10:00 a.m.