Wife, 65, admits she shot, killed husband

RUSSELLVILLE – A 65-year-old woman is facing a murder charge after she admitted to shooting her husband Sunday evening inside their residence on Duncan Creek Road.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Sgt. Kyle Palmer said a call came into 911 around 7:25 p.m. from Sheri Mitchell-Clutts, who stated she had killed her husband.

“She told the dispatcher she believed her husband was going to kill her, so she perceived him to be a threat,” Palmer said.

Mitchell-Clutts stayed on the phone with 911 until deputies arrived at the residence, Palmer said.

“I have to give the dispatcher credit, she told her where to leave the gun and [Mitchell-Clutts] walked straight to the deputies when they arrived,” Palmer added.

Deputies found Timothy Clutts, 69, sitting in his recliner dead with a single gunshot wound to the chest, Palmer said.

His body was transported to the Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville for an autopsy, Palmer said.

The handgun used in the shooting was recovered by deputies.

Palmer said the sheriff’s office has not had much contact with the couple.

“They reported a dog had been stolen from them, and there have been a few [emergency medical services] calls to the home and that’s it,” Palmer said. “We also

found out that she had open-heart surgery two weeks ago, and he was a cancer survivor.”

Mitchell-Clutts was arrested and charged with murder. She was booked Sunday night into the Franklin County Jail without bond pending an Aniah’s Law hearing.