Aberdeen man charged with killing his wife

UPDATE: 2:25 P.M.

During his arraignment in Bingham County District Court Friday, prosecutors said Ruff shot his wife in the torso.

Ruff could face up to life in prison or the death penalty if proven guilty.

Bail was set at $1 million.

Ruff’s only previous scrape with the law was a DUI from the 1990’s.

Ruff’s attorneys asked for lower bail, but the Judge ruled that because of the gravity of the offense, bail would be high.

A preliminary hearing has been set for July 19 in Blackfoot.

ORIGINAL STORY:

An Aberdeen man is being held in the Bingham County Jail in connection with the death of his wife.

The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office said Eugene R. Ruff, 63, was arrested at 3200 West 2202 South in Aberdeen at around 9:49 p.m. Thursday. Officers found Bettilee P. Ruff, 62, dead at the scene.

Ruff was charged with first degree murder.

Further information about the incident was not released.