Phillip Ingle

Phillip Lee Ingle (August 7, 1961 – September 22, 1995) was an American serial killer who killed two married couples in Cherryville, North Carolina, in 1991. He knew one pair of victims and later confessed to a friend that he enjoyed watching people die in agony. Convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree burglary, he was sentenced to death. He later waived his appeals, saying that he wanted to spare the victims' families further pain, and was executed in 1995.

Early life Ingle was born on August 7, 1961, in Lincoln County, North Carolina. According to family friends, his parents separated soon after he was born, and his mother was only intermittently present in his life. Family members also said that he was sexually abused by a cousin during childhood. He reportedly attempted suicide at the age of five or six. In the early 1980s, Ingle served time in jail for breaking and entering and assault. At age 18, he shot himself in the stomach. In December 1986, while intoxicated, Ingle was admitted to Broughton Hospital. He was released five days later and referred to Black Mountain's 28-day treatment program. He also received psychiatric treatment several times in the late 1980s. The door was unlocked, and he entered armed with an axe handle he had taken from his car. Margaret was in the kitchen, and Ingle, who knew the couple, beat her to death. He then attacked William, who was in the den watching television, and beat him to death.

Trial and execution Although a counselor believed that Ingle had a mental illness, he was found competent to stand trial. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but was convicted on one count of first-degree burglary and four counts of first-degree murder. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the murders were planned, and several doctors testified that he did not meet the legal standard for insanity at the time of the murders. The jury returned a death sentence for Ingle. He waived his appeals, stating that he wanted the victims' families to have peace.

Ingle's sister later filed an appeal on his behalf, arguing that he was not competent to waive his appeals. The North Carolina Supreme Court found that, although Ingle had mental health issues, there was no evidence that he was legally insane and that he was competent to waive his appeals.

At a court hearing, Ingle apologized to the victims' families and said he thought about them daily. He also stated that he did not remember committing the murders but accepted responsibility for them.

He requested that his body be cremated and his ashes scattered in South Mountain State Park in Burke County, North Carolina.