The man accused of murdering Marlin Police Chief Darrell Allen in Fall of 2015 pleaded not guilty to a capital murder charge Monday.

According to our news partner KWTX, 24-year-old Derrick Wayne Gamble was formally arraigned after entering the plea before 264th District Court Judge Martha Jane Trudo. Gamble is scheduled face a pre-trial hearing January 22 and remains in the Bell County Jail in lieu of $1.5 million bond.

If found guilty, Gamble could be sentenced to death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Gamble was arrested shortly after 1 AM on November 1 after witnesses say he shot Allen in the face at the Laid Back Lounge at 301 East Avenue B in Temple. Allen, a 10-year veteran of the Marlin PD, was working security that night. He was transported to Scott & White Hospital in Temple where he died nine days after being shot.

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