Man accused of shooting his wife in Raleigh arrested
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A man charged with killing his wife in Raleigh went before a magistrate Friday afternoon to hear the murder charge against him.
Michael Sutton, 42, was taken into custody at his home in Johnston County Friday morning, and later taken to the Wake County Detention Center.
Sutton was stone-faced as the charge was read, according to our crew on the scene.
Both police and eyewitnesses said Sutton showed up at a Raleigh apartment in the 2400 block of Wesvill Court on Thursday around 11:30 a.m.
In a call to 911, a man in the apartment said Sutton's wife, Tonya Sutton, had been in an apartment with him when Sutton kicked in the door.
"I had to jump out my window because he shot my door down, kicked my door down and came in," the owner of that apartment told the 911 operator.
Sutton allegedly fired a series of shots, left the apartment, only to return and fire more shots.
"My God. He's shooting her. He's shooting her," said the caller who reported about 15 shots.
The caller reported the weapon appeared to be a 9mm handgun and that Sutton left in a light blue Toyota after the murder.
ABC11 cameras captured exactly that kind of car in front of Sutton's home in Clayton on Friday, along with four Johnston County Sheriff's Deputies.
Raleigh police said he was arrested without incident.
Sutton's neighbors said they were shocked and that they would often see him helping out in the neighborhood and playing with his daughter.
"He would say, 'Mr. John' or 'Ms. Jessie,'" said Jessie Claggett, Sutton's neighbor. "You know, he had that respect for us, so I'm just really surprised."
John Claggett echoed his wife's shock.
"He seems like a nice guy and helpful. Always been nice to me and my family as far as what I do around the house and in the yard."
ABC11 learned Sutton was tried for murder 14 years ago, but was acquitted.
Sutton is due back in front of a judge on Tuesday.
