Last Updated:May 16. 2008 12:37PM
Published: May 16. 2008 12:37PM

TUSCUMBIA -- Debbie Kimbrough showed no visible emotion today as she pleaded guilty to manslaughter for killing her husband, Howard “Sonny” Kimbrough in Colbert County last winter.

Kimbrough, 49, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by Circuit Court Judge Hal Hughston during a hearing this morning.

Debbie Kimbrough was originally charged with murder for killing her 63-year-old husband as he slept at their home in the Barton community on Dec. 13.

District Attorney Bryce Graham Jr. said the plea agreement was offered at the request of Howard Kimbrough’s family.

“We were prepared to take this case to trial, but the family made it very clear they wanted her to be punished for what she did, but did not want go through a murder trial,” Graham said.

Defense attorney Tim Case of Florence said he and Debbie Kimbrough are pleased with the outcome,

If convicted of murder, she could have been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The 20-year prison sentence is the maximum allowed for manslaughter.