DOB: 10-29-49 DOC: #987991 White Male
Floyd County Superior Court
Judge Richard G. Striegel
Defense: Michael J. McDaniel
Date of Murder: July 27, 1996
Victim(s): Debbie Chaffin Ingle W/F 41 (wife / separated)
Method of Murder: Shooting with handgun
Summary: Ingle and his wife Debbie had been married approximately twenty-five years. They married immediately after his release from federal prison when she was seventeen years of age. The marriage was one of repeated domestic violence. Debbie tried to leave on numerous occasions, but he physically intimidated her into remaining in the marriage. In July 1996, Debbie moved out of the house and made it clear to Ingle she would not return. Ingle stalked her for weeks using disguises and borrowed cars and kept her under constant surveillance. On the morning of the murder, Ingle donned a disguise, loaded a handgun, and walked up to Debbie where she worked as a waitress. His confessed plan was to take her out of the restaurant and physically force her to return as he had done on prior occasions. Debbie recognized him, screamed his name and instructed co-workers to call for police. Ingle responded by shooting her 7 times with a handgun and fled. Within minutes, Ingle was confronted by police on the street and shot a New Albany Police Officer three times, once in the back, and fled a second time before he was arrested. The officer was wearing a vest and survived with serious injuries.
Conviction: Murder, Attempted Murder (A Felony), Attempted Kidnaping (A Felony)
Sentencing: November 19, 1998 (Death Sentence)
Aggravating Circumstances: Lying in Wait, B(1) Attempted Kidnapping
Mitigating Circumstances: Mental State (not rising to level of insanity), Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Direct Appeal: