Wife arrested in slaying of husband in Cleveland, Tenn.

Police are at the scene of a fatal shooting on the 800 block of Sunset Ave. in Cleveland, Tenn., on Oct. 31.
Police are at the scene of a fatal shooting on the 800 block of Sunset Ave. in Cleveland, Tenn., on Oct. 31.

A Cleveland, Tenn., woman faces charges of second-degree murder eight months after police said she shot and killed her husband.

Miranda Cheatham, 43, allegedly shot James Cheatham, 45, just after 6 a.m. on Oct. 31 inside their home on the 800 block of Sunset Avenue during a domestic dispute.

Police responded to the scene and found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. Miranda Cheatham was taken to the Cleveland Police Department for questioning, said Evie West, Cleveland police spokeswoman.

A search warrant was obtained for the home and investigators processed the scene, collecting multiple pieces of evidence to be sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation lab for forensic testing.

The test results were sent back over the next several months, and on Wednesday, the case was presented to a grand jury, which returned an indictment.

Miranda Cheatham is now in custody at the Bradley County Justice Center on a $150,000 bond.

The Times Free Press previously reported that the Cheathams' teenage son was also home during the shooting, but it was unclear whether he witnessed the incident.

At the time, West declined to say how many times James Cheatham was shot or where he was wounded. She said she does not believe police have responded to previous domestic disputes at the home.

The Cheathams have owned the house on Sunset Avenue since 2007, according to property records. Neighbors said James Cheatham ran a roofing business and also did landscaping work.

Contact staff writer Emmett Gienapp at egienapp@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731. Follow him on Twitter @emmettgienapp.

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