Dervin pleads not guilty to killing his estranged wife in Kent

38-year-old man arrested in Minnesota; returned to Washington state

Stock photo

Stock photo

A 38-year-old man charged with killing his estranged wife pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder domestic violence and other charges.

Paul Dervin entered his plea Feb. 2. King County prosecutors charged him with killing Randi A. Jones, 40, on Nov. 30 in her Kent home, as well as second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment and violation of a court order that he must stay away from Jones, according to charging documents.

Dervin is scheduled to return to court Feb. 18 when a trial date could be set or attorneys can ask for more time to prepare the case, which is typically what happens early in a case. Dervin remains in the King County jail with bail denied.

The Minnesota State Patrol arrested Dervin on Dec. 9 after he fled Kent. An investigation by Kent Police detectives led to a nationwide homicide warrant for Dervin. He was housed in the Noble County jail in Worthington, Minnesota.

King County Sheriff’s Office deputies returned Dervin to Washington state last month to face charges after he waived his extradition.

Dervin and Jones were married in 2016, according to marriage license records. There were no divorce records for the couple.

Kent Police responded at 1:19 a.m. Dec. 1 to a suspicious circumstances call at the home of Jones, 25123 23rd Place S. Officers found Jones lying on her back unresponsive in the living room. Officers observed bruising and blood on her face and marks on her neck. Officers and medics attempted life-saving measures, but she died at the scene.

Jones died from a blunt-force injury to her torso, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.


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