HOUSTON -- A mistrial was declared on Tuesday for a Fort Bend County woman charged with killing her husband, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Charlene Hill said she shot her husband, Danny, at their home in the 1100 block of Woodland Court in Pecan Grove three years ago in self-defense.

For almost 30 years, Charlene Hill claimed she was the victim in an abusive marriage.

Gunfire ended it the night of Nov. 14, 2006, when Hill said her 6 feet 3 inch tall, 220-pound husband, a former convict and former member of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang, attempted to beat her as he had many times in the past.

"She needed to do what she did to save herself," defense attorney George Parnham said.

Hill shot him and then called 911, officials said. Danny Hill, 49, died a few hours later.

Prosecutors said it did not have to happen and that Charlene Hill had ample opportunity to escape from her husband that night, but did not try.

Prosecutors allege that Danny Hill's death was more about money. The couple had more than $1 million in a joint bank account from selling their businesses. Charlene transferred the money into an account controlled solely by her about a month before the shooting.

But Hill's attorney said she later gave all the money to her son. He insisted money was never a motive in the killing.

"Not only did that not happen, but she ends up calling 911, pleading for his life, doing everything she possibly could to make sure he continues to live --still afraid of him. And he dies four hours later. She still had a round in the chamber. She cold have pulled that trigger and still claimed self-defense," Parnham said.

Jurors began deliberations shortly after noon on Monday. Officials said the jury split 11 to one for a conviction and the judge declared a mistrial shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Hill did not say anything as she walked out of the courthouse.

Danny Hill's family said they are looking forward to a new trial.

"We were this close, this close to getting it. I think it will be different next time around," said Craig Hill, Danny Hill's brother.