Aberdeen man pleads guilty in death of his wife

Accused murderer Eugene Ralph Ruff, of Aberdeen, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of second-degree murder.

Ruff was accused in the July 5 shooting death of his wife, Bettilee Paulie Ruff.

According to investigators, the couple had been drinking and got into an argument. In the process, Ruff shot Bettilee with a .22-250 bolt-action rifle. Ruff then called the Power County Sheriff’s Office and reported himself as the shooter.

The Bingham County Prosecutor’s Office and Ruff entered into an agreement. In it, the state agreed to amend the charge to one count of second-degree murder. Both parties agreed to recommend Ruff receive an indeterminate life sentence. Both parties will be free to argue for no less than 10 years in prison and no more than 18 years at the time of sentencing.

Ruff entered into the agreement during a pre-trial conference before Judge Darren Simpson Friday morning.

Sentencing on the new charge has been set for April 8 in Blackfoot.