Crime Law

JBLM soldier pleads not guilty in Kirkland woman's stabbing death

A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier pleaded not guilty Monday to murdering a young woman in Kirkland last year.

Dakota Wolf made his first court appearance in the case after completing a sentence for going AWOL before the crime. Prosecutors said he stabbed 19-year-old Scarlett Paxton to death outside her Kirkland home in November.

If convicted, Wolf could face up to 28 years in prison.

Paxton’s father said that’s far too short.

“What I want you all to know is that this coward, if convicted, will be walking the streets while we’re still alive,” Ernest Paxton said. “I want you all to keep that in mind. There are laws that need to be changed and we can do it.”

Wolf is scheduled to make his next court appearance next month.