Mark Schlachtenhaufen
The Edmond Sun
EDMOND —
A Logan County judge ruled Monday that a teenager will stand trial as an adult on a first-degree murder charge in her father’s death.
Special District Judge Louis Duel found probable cause to believe that a crime was committed and that the defendant, Kaleigh Lynn Fryer, 15, committed the crime. The crime is punishable by death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for life without parole.
Fryer was bound over for trial court arraignment on the charge of first-degree murder on Sept. 10 before District Judge Donald Worthington.
Prosecutors say Fryer acted together and conjointly with her boyfriend Jerry Jerone Chiles Jr., 22, who agreed to testify against Kaleigh in exchange for a guilty plea and a sentence of life without parole.
It was the second day of probable cause hearing for Kaleigh, who was charged in the stabbing death of her father, Lewis Fryer Jr., 42. On May 13, police were dispatched to 402 W. Orbit on a possible homicide.
Fryer’s body, which showed signs of multiple stab wounds and self defense wounds, was in a bedroom, lying in a pool of blood, according to court records. Kaleigh, who lived at the home, called 911.
During Monday morning’s court session, Chiles testified that Kaleigh helped plan the murder and assisted in the getaway plans. He also testified about their post-murder plans, which included living with Kaleigh’s mother.
An Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation crime scene expert also testified Monday morning about the victim’s body.
On day one of the hearing, in July, Chiles testified he killed Kaleigh’s father after she asked him to do it.
In court records, Kaleigh told police on the morning of May 13, after her father didn’t wake her up as he usually did, she went to look for him and found him on the floor in the bedroom, surrounded by blood.
Logan County District Attorney Rob Hudson said it was important to prosecutors that Kaleigh be bound over for trial as an adult. Hudson said it will be a tough case, but he believes the state will be able to show the jury that Kaleigh was a willing co-accomplice.
Eric Reynolds, Kaleigh’s attorney, said he believes in the end there will not be enough evidence to convict her.
Chiles has said he killed her father, and he didn’t have a cogent plan as to her involvement, Reynolds said. Chiles also admitted to being a gang member and told police he had sex with a minor, issues related to his credibility, or lack thereof, Reynolds added.
Chiles told police the night before he and Kaleigh talked about killing her father, and she left the back door to the home unlocked and told him where her father kept his wallet and keys.
In the hours following the murder, Chiles was located near Crossroads Mall and arrested. He told police he previously had sex with Kaleigh three or four times, according to court records. He told police he had gotten her pregnant and they were in love.
Reynolds said he believes teenagers, friends of Kaleigh’s, have information about the case but are afraid to come forward. Reynolds said anyone with information can call his office and speak confidentially.
Chiles is scheduled to appear for trial court arraignment on Sept. 10 before Worthington.
Under the plea agreement with prosecutors, a condition of Chiles’ sentence is that he is to have no contact with the victim’s family while he is incarcerated or on parole.
On May 25, Duel denied Kaleigh Fryer’s motion to transfer from the Logan County Jail to juvenile detention. She is being held without bond.
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 367
