Man pleads not guilty in gruesome murder of Renton woman

SEATTLE — A judge agreed to raise bail to $5 million for John Charlton, the man accused of murdering and dismembering Renton woman Ingrid Lyne.

About a dozen of Lyne’s family and friends were in the Seattle courtroom Wednesday to see Charlton as he pleaded not guilty to killing the mother of three.

Charlton was brought in to court in his orange jail outfit in shackles despite the wishes of his attorney.

Robin Fox with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention convinced the judge that Charlton is too dangerous to allow in court in plain clothes.

“The most pressing concern is any potential for escape,” said Fox. “Should they make it out the door they'd be less easy to find.”

Court documents show Lyne and Charlton met on an online dating site and dated for about a month. Police say on April 8, the two had a date planned to go to the Mariners game. They say that night, Charlton murdered Lyne at her Renton house and cut up her body in a bathtub.

In the following days, human remains were found in recycling bins in front of homes in Seattle’s Central District. On April 18, more remains were found at a Seattle recycling center.

Police say he claimed he was drunk and didn't remember anything from the night of the slaying.

Charlton showed no emotion Wednesday when his attorney entered not guilty pleas on charges of first-degree murder and theft charges for allegedly stealing her SUV.

Charlton has a criminal history of felony theft and aggravated robbery.

His next court appearance is May 11.

Cox Media Group