Accused double-killer says ‘I’m guilty’ in open court — but it’s not his plea

Published 4:52 pm Wednesday, June 13, 2012

PORT ANGELES — Accused double-murderer Patrick B. Drum was prevented from pleading guilty at his arraignment today to killing two registered sex offenders whose bullet-riddled bodies were found June 3 inside their homes.

“I don’t need this court,” the 34-year-old Sequim man told Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams.

“I’m guilty. I want to plead guilty.”

Drum, a convicted felon who allegedly told authorities he was targeting sex offenders, is charged with two counts of aggravated first-degree murder, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

The charges were filed in connection with the deaths of Jerry W. Ray, 56, of 31 Heuhslein Road in Port Angeles and Gary L. Blanton Jr., 28, of 5011 Sequim-Dungeness Way, where Drum also lived.

Ray and Blanton were shot multiple times, authorities said.

Williams said that under state statute, Drum, was not allowed to enter a guilty plea — just yet.

“I don’t have the ability to accept your plea at this particular time,” Williams said, setting a review hearing for 9 a.m. June 28.