RUSSELL ? A Russell man pleaded innocent Thursday in the November bludgeoning death of his mother.

Anthony H. Witt III, 45, is charged in Russell County District Court with second-degree murder.

If convicted, Witt could serve 12 to 54 years in prison and be fined as much as $300,000. Witt was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. No trial date was set.

Russell Police were called to a domestic disturbance at the Witt family home the night of Nov. 6. When they entered the home, they found Rosanna Witt, 69, beaten in the home she shared with her husband, Tony Witt II, and their son.

Rosanna Witt was taken to Russell Regional Hospital, where she died of her injuries less than an hour later.

Her son, the only other person at the home at the time, was arrested and held on $1 million bond.

Tony Witt III was found incompetent for trial a few days after his mother’s death but he has since been ruled competent after a second psychiatric evaluation.