Kenneth Gumm Pleads Guilty

The man at the center of a high-profile road rage shooting has pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter.  The News On 6's Jeffrey Smith reports Kenneth Gumm entered the plea just before his trial was set to begin.

It began as road rage and ended in gunplay.  Gumm has admitted he shot and killed Dale Turney last June in the Tulsa RiverParks parking lot.

Gumm has always maintained he acted in self-defense.  But, Turney's family says there's more to the story.  And, they say the guilty plea gives them peace of mind.

"We're close to a sense of closure," said Sharon Macintosh, Dale Turney's sister.  "He never seemed to have come to a sense of regret over the loss of the life of our brother, our loved one, and someone who was just such a great human being."

Tulsa Police don't know what exactly went down, but something happened on Riverside Drive between Turney and Gumm that angered Turney. He followed Gumm into the parking lot at Tulsa RiverParks. They both got out of their cars and began yelling

"People have asked me was there anything else I could have done. I don't think there is. My car was locked. He was right on me all the time. There's no way I could have gotten in my car," said Kenneth Gumm.

Witnesses say Turney shoved Gumm and threatened to kill him.  Gumm last year told The News On 6 that he had no other choice.  Turney's family doesn't buy it.

"He could have used a cell phone. He could have stayed in the car. He could have yelled for help," said Sharon Macintosh, Dale Turney's sister.

"Mr. Gumm had the authority. He had the gun, and Dale was unarmed," added James Macintosh, Turney's brother-in-law.

Turney's family says life will never be the same.

"He was funny and likeable and just a joy to be around," said Sharon Macintosh, Dale Turney's sister.

But, they've finally found justice.

"It was so huge to hear him admit his guilt to the crime of shooting an unarmed man and watching him die in a parking lot," said Sharon Macintosh, Dale Turney's sister. 

The prosecutor is recommending five years behind bars.  Gumm will be sentenced in July.

Gumm did have a permit to carry a concealed gun.  As part of his manslaughter plea, he'll lose that license.

Related stories:

10/23/2007  Man Accused In Road Rage Shooting To Stand Trial

9/26/2007 Retired Security Guard Charged In Park Shooting

6/19/2007 Man Involved In Fatal Shooting Gives His Side Of The Story

6/11/2007 Shooting Victim's Family Speaks

6/10/2007 Road Rage Argument Turns Deadly