Washington man pleads not guilty in wife's murder

A 70-year-old Washington man entered a plea of not guilty  in the death of his wife.  James Blum entered that written plea in an arraignment Friday morning in a Washington court.  Blum demanded a speedy trial which means the case must proceed within 90 days.  Trial is currently set to begin May 11

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.  Blum is facing a charge of second degree murder for the death of his wife Patricia Blum, 67.

In the original criminal complaint, investigators say Blum smothered his wife face down on a couch in their home for a few minutes and admitted to police he wanted to kill her.  Investigators say a dispute apparently began when Patricia Blum backed a car into a garage door.

James Blum called police himself to report his wife's death in early January.