Woman convicted in death of ex husband

Elise Thomas

A Corner woman who pleaded self defense in the killing of her ex-husband was convicted Friday of manslaughter in Blount County.  After a week-long trial, a jury found Elise Thomas guilty in the Jan. 2011 shooting death of Matt Allen. According to prosecutors, the night of the incident Thomas told deputies she shot Allen at his home in Hayden in self defense, but evidence collected at the scene showed that the victim died instantly from a single gunshot wound to the heart from close range. In May 2013, a grand jury indicted Thomas for murder.  Thomas, who remains free on bond, is scheduled to be sentenced in Circuit Court on Sept. 18. She faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $30,000.