A Birmingham woman has pleaded guilty to the 2019 shooting death of her husband.
Cheryl Charmayne Watts entered her plea to a reduced charge of manslaughter Tuesday before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Streety. Watts was initially charged with murder in the slaying of 41-year-old Hassan Mallette.
Jury selection was underway for her trial when instead Watts, 42, decided to plead.
The case is being prosecuted by Jefferson County Assistant District Attorneys Neal Zarzour and Charissa Henrich. Lawyer Emory Anthony represents Watts.
Streety, court records show, set a sentencing date for May 4.
Mallette was killed Aug. 31, 2019, at the couple’s Ensley home. Birmingham police responded just before 4 p.m. that Saturday on a report of a person shot.
When they arrived on the scene, they found a wounded Mallette. He was taken by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Watts had contended she killed her husband in self-defense.
Watts remains out on bond.
“This case was a tragic example of a volatile, domestic situation spinning out of control and escalating to the point that a life was taken unnecessarily,’’ Zarzour said. “Sadly, bad choices by adults impacted not only themselves, but the children who were present as well.”
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