ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) — A jury found a Carter County woman not guilty of first-degree murder on Wednesday after she was accused of shooting a man three times during an argument in December 2022.

Cynthia Ellis took the stand to testify in her murder trial, where she was accused of killing 58-year-old Andrew Gilbertson, with whom she shared a home on Countryside Drive.

According to affidavits previously obtained by News Channel 11, Ellis told deputies that while the two argued, she went to the bedroom to get her gun and cell phone. Gilbertson reportedly followed her to the bedroom and stood blocking the doorway. Ellis then allegedly shot Gilbertson twice in the doorway, followed him into the kitchen where she shot him a third time, then called 911.

Ellis’ brother was said to be in the home at the time and tried to help Gilbertson. He also reportedly called 911. Affidavits state that Ellis met deputies outside the home and was cooperative.

Both the prosecution and defense rested their cases on Wednesday, sending the jury into deliberations at around 12:30 p.m. The jury returned a not-guilty verdict soon after.

Judge Stacey Street heard the case in Elizabethton, with ADA Dennis Brooks serving as prosecution for the state and Keith Lieberman from Knoxville serving as Ellis’ defense attorney.