Suspect pleads not guilty to murder

A suspect charged with first-degree murder for a shoot-out with police that resulted in the death of his girlfriend pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
The case is set for disposition in October. If there is a conviction, the district attorney’s office will seek the death penalty.
Kenneth Dean Gayler, 23, made his arraignment plea during a felony docket in Pottawatomie County District Court. His case was bound over for trial following a preliminary hearing in June.
Gayler’s reported girlfriend, Jenny Chaffin, 23, was shot and killed following the Jan. 6 police chase that ended with the exchange of gunfire along SH 3E near SH 99, just inside Pottawatomie County.
Seminole Police Officer Adam Good, 22, lost his right eye to gunfire and was shot in the leg during the exchange; Gayler was shot on his right wrist, left hand and femur.
It was determined that Chaffin died from one of Good’s bullets. Prosecutors argue Gayler is responsible for first-degree murder in Chaffin’s death because he was committing the felony of shooting with intent to kill the officer when she was killed.
As Gayler’s case progresses in the court system, he remains jailed without bond but is already a Department of Corrections inmate in Lexington. He is serving sentences totaling 31 years for Seminole County convictions on drug counts and feloniously pointing a weapon.
Court records show that on Dec. 12, 2007, about one month before this January incident, Gayler walked away from work detail in Wewoka, the day before he was scheduled to be incarcerated with DOC.
If convicted of first-degree murder in Chaffin’s death, Gayler could face life in prison, with or without parole, or the death penalty. Any sentence will be up to a jury to decide.
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Kim Morava may be reached at 214-3962.