John Ingle

Case details

Name: John Ingle Sex/Race: White male Date of birth: 10-29-49 Age: not stated DOC #: 987991 Status: on death row since 11-19-98

Background

John Ingle married Debbie immediately after his release from federal prison when Debbie was seventeen years of age. The marriage involved repeated domestic violence. Debbie tried to leave on numerous occasions, but Ingle 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.

The offence

On the morning of the murder, Ingle donned a disguise, loaded a handgun, and walked up to Debbie where she worked as a waitress. Ingle’s 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.

Investigation and arrest

Ingle was confronted by police on the street within minutes after the shootings. He shot a New Albany Police Officer three times, then fled a second time before being arrested.

Trial

Convictions

Ingle was convicted of:

• Murder
• Attempted Murder (A Felony)
• Attempted Kidnapping (A Felony)

Sentencing

Ingle was sentenced on November 19, 1998 to death.

Aggravating and mitigating circumstances

Aggravating Circumstances: Lying in Wait, B(1) Attempted Kidnapping Mitigating Circumstances: Mental State (not rising to level of insanity), Intermittent Explosive Disorder

Appeals

Direct appeal (first appeal)

Ingle v. State , 746 N.E.2d 927 (Ind. May 8, 2001) Result: Conviction affirmed 5-0; DP vacated 5-0

The opinion was Sullivan opinion; Shepard, Dickson, Boehm, and Rucker concur.

The convictions for Murder and Attempted Murder were affirmed, but the conviction for Attempted Kidnapping was reversed. The death sentence was vacated due to insufficient evidence to show aggravators.

It was determined there was no evidence to show Ingle confined the victim to a secure act by a third party, therefore not a hostage and no Attempted Kidnapping. Although Ingle did watch, wait, and conceal himself outside the restaurant, this was the day before the murder. A disguise alone worn when entering the restaurant was not enough to show lying in wait. The matter was remanded for resentencing to a term of years.

Outcome

Resentencing on remand

On remand, Ingle was resentenced by Floyd Superior Court Judge Richard G. Striegel on June 20, 2001 to:

• 65 years imprisonment for Murder
• 50 years imprisonment for Attempted Murder (A Felony)

The terms were consecutive.

Post-resentencing appeal

Ingle v. State , 766 N.E.2d 392 (Ind. 2002) Ingle brought a direct appeal after resentencing and imposition of 115 years imprisonment. The judgment was affirmed.

Other details

• Judges mentioned: Floyd County Superior Court Judge Richard G. (name truncated in the provided status field) and Floyd Superior Court Judge Richard G. Striegel.
• Custody/legal identifiers: Ingle was listed as DOC #987991.
• Officer and harm: A New Albany Police Officer was shot three times, once in the back, and survived with serious injuries.
• Victim: Debbie. Debbie worked as a waitress at the time of the murder.