Russellville, Ala. — A 65-year-old woman faces a murder charge after allegedly shooting her husband inside their home. Sheri Mitchell-Clutts reported the incident to authorities on Sunday evening, leading to a swift response from law enforcement.
Timothy Clutts, 69, was found dead in a recliner with a single gunshot wound to the chest, according to deputies. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said the incident unfolded rapidly after Mitchell-Clutts called 911 and admitted to shooting her husband. When deputies arrived at their residence on Duncan Creek Road, she reportedly remained on the scene and cooperated with investigators.
The emergency call came in around 7:25 p.m. on May 10. Mitchell-Clutts informed the dispatcher that she had killed her husband, fearing he was going to harm her. Following established protocols, the dispatcher instructed her to place the firearm down, which she did, as deputies arrived at the residence. Upon entering, they found Timothy Clutts in the living room with a handgun recovered nearby.
Initially, the narrative provided by Mitchell-Clutts indicated she was acting out of fear, claiming that her husband’s actions throughout the day were threatening. However, investigators later suggested her recounting of events changed during questioning. Reports indicate that Timothy had been caring for his wife following her recent open-heart surgery. According to the sheriff’s office, there were no verbal threats made during their interactions prior to the shooting.
As the investigation proceeded, authorities noted that Timothy Clutts was reportedly in a separate part of the house when he was shot. Mitchell-Clutts maintained she retrieved a firearm out of concern that her husband would return to disturb her. However, he was seated in the living room watching television at the time of the shooting. This detail is pivotal in the ongoing murder investigation, as it portrays him as unarmed and alone at the moment the shot was fired.
Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver remarked on the unusual nature of the case, noting that typically investigators must search for a fleeing suspect and reconstruct a narrative based on fragmented evidence. In this instance, he emphasized that Mitchell-Clutts provided an account without initial denial. Still, this openness led to further questions as to the circumstances surrounding the incident and her mental state afterward.
Authorities are currently reviewing the couple’s history with law enforcement for any prior incidents of domestic disputes. As of now, there have been no reports of similar calls to their residence over the past six years. While this might not clarify the June 10 incident, it does inform the context of their relationship, which reportedly lasted 15 years.
Mitchell-Clutts was booked into the Franklin County Jail at 9:43 p.m. on May 10, where she is held without bond while awaiting a hearing under Aniah’s Law, a legal provision in Alabama that allows judges to detain defendants in certain serious cases before trial. The specifics of her legal representation or whether she has entered a plea are currently unclear.
Amid the investigation, authorities have not released the full contents of the 911 call, body camera footage, or Mitchell-Clutts’ written statements. Investigators are still piecing together the timeline leading up to the shooting, including potential medical issues or other factors that may have influenced the situation.
For the relatives and community members of the couple, the public record thus far raises many questions about a tragic incident that turned a seemingly ordinary evening into a deadly confrontation. As officials continue to examine the evidence, including autopsy results and other forensic data, the case remains active.