Man accused of dismembering Renton mother pleads not guilty

SEATTLE -- The man accused of dismembering a woman in her suburban home and dumping her body parts in Seattle recycling bins has pleaded not guilty to murder and theft charges.

John Charlton was arraigned Wednesday in King County Superior Court. He remains in jail with bail set at $5 million. He faces at least 28 years in prison if convicted.

The 37-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Ingrid Lyne, a 40-year-old mother of three from Renton. Charlton is also charged with theft of a motor vehicle for allegedly taking Lyne's vehicle.

Authorities allege he dismembered the woman he recently started dating and then drove her body parts to Seattle.

Charlton's lawyer Gordon Hill has said no forensic evidence links Charlton to the crime.

Charlton told investigators that he and Lyne attended a baseball game and then returned to her house, but he was so intoxicated he couldn't remember what happened.

A judge ruled the media cannot shoot video of Charlton's face in the courtroom. His next hearing is scheduled for May 11.