Connie Johnson, 57, of Linden pleaded guilty to intentional murder in the shooting death of Claude Lee Lloyd, also of Linden, on Sept. 20, 2007, at the annual Footwash event in Hale County.

The plea came on Monday in Hale County Circuit Court before the trial was able to get under way. Johnson waived her rights and made her plea.s

Fourth Circuit district attorney Michael W. Jackson said the two had a romantic relationship and were having an argument over money made at their booth at the Footwash. She then approached Lloyd as he sat in his Ford Explorer and shot him in the neck. Lloyd was 52 at the time of his death.

“She basically said that she was tired of his (mess) and went over there and shot him,” Jackson said. “Apparently, they had been going to several Footwashes together and set up a booth together, so they had a little business arrangement. The argument had started over money.”

Jackson said he did not know what the couple sold in their booth, but assumed it was food and similar items. He added that the Department of Public Safety has been patrolling the Footwash events since the shooting.

Johnson was sentenced to 25 years and 1 day and will qualify for parole in 15 years.