Woman who shot husband pleads guilty

RUSSELLVILLE — A woman who admitted to shooting and killing her husband last month pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on June 24. Sherri Mitchell Clutts, 65, pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect while standing in front of Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Brian Hamilton.

As a result of her plea, Mitchell-Clutts is scheduled to stand trial beginning Aug. 17, according to court records.

Mitchell-Clutts is accused of killing her husband, 69-year-old Timothy Clutts, by shooting him in the chest with a .40 caliber handgun, according to court records. She was subsequently charged with murder.

On May 11, deputies with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office were called to a residence on Duncan Creek Road in reference to a woman claiming she shot her husband.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered Timothy Clutts’ body sitting in his recliner with a single gunshot wound and interrogated Sherri Mitchell-Clutts, during which she admitted to killing him.

Sgt. Kyle Palmer said shortly after her confession that Mitchell-Clutts “perceived her husband as a threat,” believing he was going to kill her.

Prior to the incident, Palmer said the sheriff’s office did not have much contact with the couple.

The handgun Mitchell-Clutts used in the incident was recovered by deputies during a search inside the residence.