A man is behind bars in Pierce County, accused of killing his wife 33 years ago.
68-year-old James Robert Randle pled not guilty to a first-degree murder charge Thursday.
Body camera video shows Pierce County sheriff’s deputies arresting Randle at a retirement facility in Everett.
It all started in November 1992 when Randle’s wife, Janice, was found dead inside their home in Graham – investigators say the couple’s 18-month-old daughter was still in a crib next to her.
“No one in our family ever doubted this – we just had no way to prove it back then,” said Katie Wakin, the victim’s daughter.
Investigators say the victim had filed for divorce about a month before her death.
Randle told authorities his wife likely overdosed on painkillers, but a toxicology report found she was clean.
It was labeled a “death investigation,” but not enough information was pieced together for an arrest, police say.
According to court documents, the case went cold but was picked back up after Randle confessed to his siblings.
“He actually talked to his brother about how he staged the crime scene. He also confessed to this murder to one of his daughters later on as well. He told her that he had had to put a pillow over his wife Janice’s head and said, with regards to the murder, quote, ‘just know it was me,’” said a deputy prosecutor.
Wakin says her mother is sorely missed and the siblings are still healing, including the sister who was found in the crib.
“Our mom was taken from her; she has no memories of her. My mom loved her very much. She loves him, but she knows that he needs to be accountable, and she’s willing to put aside all of that to make sure justice is met and that our mom’s story is told,” said Wakin.
Randle is being held on $1 million bail.