An 81-year-old man has been indicted in the 2022 slaying of his wife at their Trussville home.

John B. Harris is charged with murder in the death of 82-year-old Jo Ann Henry Harris.

A Jefferson County grand jury indicted Harris in December, and the indictment was made public Tuesday. According to that indictment, Jo Ann Henry Harris died from strangulation/suffocation.

Harris, initially arrested in June, remains held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond.

The ordeal began about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, when the man called his son and said he was going to kill his wife and himself, Trussville Police Chief Eric Rush said at the time. The son then called 911.

Officers arrived on the scene, and heard a gunshot, Rush said. They were unable to make contact with anyone inside the house.

They quickly set up a perimeter around the home and negotiations began.

Rush said police surrounded the home on Brookstone Drive for roughly four hours, during which time they were in communication with the suspect.

Eventually, the chief said, communications broke down.

With daylight approaching, the department’s Special Response Team made entry into the home through a window and saw the suspect walking throughout the home.

A short time later, the suspect surrendered by walking out of the front door. He was not armed at the time of his surrender.

Rush said the suspect had shot himself in the face, but the wound was not fatal. He was taken to UAB Hospital.

Inside police found the suspect’s wife dead.

Rush at the time said he did not know of any prior domestic incidents at the home.

It was believed both suffered from dementia.

Harris was released on bond and during his release, court records show, he was admitted to UAB Hospital for psychiatric treatment. Prosecutors then sought to have his bond revoked as he was being released from the hospital, stating that he had no place to stay and therefore should be considered a flight risk.

A judge agreed, and ordered Harris being held in the Jefferson County Jail’s medical ward.

A trial date has not been set.