Renton teen pleads not guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend
SEATTLE -- A Renton teen accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend entered a not guilty plea Wednesday morning.
Prosecutors say Jarod Lane beat and stabbed 17-year-old Jessica Scholl to death, then set her parents' home on fire.
Firefighters arrived to find a couch on the second floor burning and Scholl on the floor, unconscious. She showed no vital signs and attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.
Lane was arrested two weeks ago in Oklahoma City, and extradited back to Seattle last Friday.
Scholl's family says they too were in court Wednesday to honor her and to serve as a reminder to Lane of who Jessica was and how much she is loved.
"We're here for Jessica Scholl to honor her and remember her as a beautiful, loving 17-year-old girl," said Stan Sumida, Jessica's grandfather. "Our grief at the loss of Jessica on May 25th is so deep that it hurts every day."
They also expressed disappointment that Lane pleaded not guilty.
"We hope and pray that the defendant will allow our family to begin to heal. Instead his not guilty plea starts a prolonged trial that will continue to remind us about Jessica's brutal and violent death," Sumida said.
Lane is being held in the King County Jail on $2 million bail.
Prosecutors say Jarod Lane beat and stabbed 17-year-old Jessica Scholl to death, then set her parents' home on fire.
Firefighters arrived to find a couch on the second floor burning and Scholl on the floor, unconscious. She showed no vital signs and attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.
Lane was arrested two weeks ago in Oklahoma City, and extradited back to Seattle last Friday.
Scholl's family says they too were in court Wednesday to honor her and to serve as a reminder to Lane of who Jessica was and how much she is loved.
"We're here for Jessica Scholl to honor her and remember her as a beautiful, loving 17-year-old girl," said Stan Sumida, Jessica's grandfather. "Our grief at the loss of Jessica on May 25th is so deep that it hurts every day."
They also expressed disappointment that Lane pleaded not guilty.
"We hope and pray that the defendant will allow our family to begin to heal. Instead his not guilty plea starts a prolonged trial that will continue to remind us about Jessica's brutal and violent death," Sumida said.
Lane is being held in the King County Jail on $2 million bail.
