A Clark County man at the center of a suspected murder-for-hire plot pleaded guilty Friday in the killing of 60-year-old Lindy Rummell at her Hockinson home, moving a chilling case one big step closer to resolution. Prosecutors say what started as what deputies initially described as an apparent burglary gone wrong has now solidified into a deadly-for-pay narrative.
According to KPTV, Darrell Riley changed his plea in Clark County Superior Court on Friday. Court papers cited by the station say he shot Rummell multiple times through a pillow, and the judge scheduled his sentencing for August.
How Deputies First Learned Of The Killing
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched shortly before 7 p.m. on March 23, 2024, to the 18000 block of Northeast 119th Street in Hockinson, where they found Rummell dead inside her home. Investigators later located the couple’s black 2001 Ford F-150 burned in Benton County and said the scene initially appeared to be a staged burglary. The sheriff’s office noted the case remained active while detectives coordinated with Oregon authorities on related leads.
Allegations From Court Records And Reporting
Prosecutors allege the killing was solicited by Rummell’s husband, James Rummell, and that Riley was promised roughly $35,000 tied to life insurance proceeds to carry out the attack, as described in court filings and reporting by Law & Crime. Investigators say a tipster told deputies that Riley had described the shooting and his efforts to make the home look like it had been broken into.
Charges And Next Court Dates
James Rummell was arrested and faces charges that include making false statements and murder-related counts. Court filings and local coverage indicate he remains in custody awaiting additional hearings, according to KPTV. With Riley’s guilty plea now on the books, prosecutors will pivot to sentencing in August while the state continues building its case against Rummell.
Legal Implications
Under Washington law, murder in the first degree is a class A felony, and aggravated first-degree murder can result in life in prison without the possibility of release or parole, according to state statutes RCW 9A.32.030 and RCW 10.95.030. Any sentencing enhancements or recommendations in Riley’s case will ultimately be decided by the judge at the August hearing and in follow-up proceedings.
What To Watch Next
Riley is scheduled to be sentenced in August, with prosecutors and defense attorneys expected to lay out their positions beforehand. County courts are also expected to chart a trial schedule for James Rummell later this year. Hoodline previously reported on the initial arrests in March; see our earlier coverage of the alleged murder plot for more background on how the case first came to light.
