A Rio Dell couple pleaded not guilty today to murdering a man who died after a hash lab explosion in their garage.

Attorneys Larry Killoran, representing Tamara Gayle Paul, and Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo, appointed this morning to represent David Gerald Paul, entered not guilty pleas on their behalf. The Pauls are charged with murdering 21-year-old Xavier Paul Renner, who died from burns a few weeks after the butane-fueled lab exploded on Nov. 9.

Co-defendant Arron Michael Mohr is also charged with murder in Renner’s death. Mohr and Renner were reportedly renting the Pauls’ detached garage as a cannabis-extracion lab, and both were injured in the blast. Mohr is being represented by attorney Ben Okin.
Visiting Judge Terrence Boren scheduled the three for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 24. They are being held on $1.5 million bail each.

This morning Tamara Paul cried throughout much of the hearing, burying her face in her hands. Killoran asked that a hearing be scheduled for Wednesday to discuss bail and a possible supervised release. The couple reportedly have two young children who are being cared for by family members.

Mohr and David Paul were handcuffed together in the courtroom today.  David Paul smiled briefly at his wife as he was brought in, then turned around several times to look at her as she wept.

In addition to the murder charge, the Pauls are charged with several drug offenses, including operating a drug house, and with child endangerment. Rio Dell police arrested the two on warrants Sept. 13. Mohr was arrested a week earlier.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Adrian Kamada.

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