James Singleton charged in Nolan Dennett murder

Developing StoryLast updated APR 25
SUMMARY

James Anthony Singleton, 36, is scheduled for trial on October 20, 2025, in Whatcom County Superior Court for the premeditated first-degree murder of Nolan Dennett, 74, a retired WWU dance professor. As of August 4, 2025, Singleton's trial has been postponed six times due to ongoing negotiations. Singleton, who pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, remains incarcerated at the Whatcom County Jail. He is accused of striking Dennett multiple times with a hammer on June 6, 2024, after an altercation while allegedly using methamphetamine, and admitted to forgetting to call 911 due to intoxication. Court documents indicate the crime involved a deadly weapon and was against an intimate partner.

Timeline

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August 2025 — 2 developments

  1. James Anthony Singleton's trial for the premeditated first-degree murder of Nolan Dennett is now scheduled for October 20, 2025, in Whatcom County Superior Court.

    James Anthony Singleton's trial for the premeditated first-degree murder of Nolan Dennett is now scheduled for October 20, 2025, in Whatcom County Superior Court.

  2. James Anthony Singleton's trial for the murder of Nolan Dennett has been postponed six times due to ongoing negotiations.

    James Anthony Singleton's trial for the murder of Nolan Dennett has been postponed six times due to ongoing negotiations. The case is now expected to head to trial in the fall.

December 2024 — 1 developments

  1. It was reported that James Singleton pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and remains incarcerated at the Whatcom County Jail.

    It was reported that James Singleton pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and remains incarcerated at the Whatcom County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 2025.

June 2024 — 10 developments

  2. James Singleton is charged with premeditated first-degree murder in the death of Nolan Dennett, a retired WWU dance professor.

    James Singleton is charged with premeditated first-degree murder in the death of Nolan Dennett, a retired WWU dance professor. Singleton allegedly struck Dennett multiple times with a hammer during an altercation after using methamphetamine for three days, and admitted to forgetting to call 911 due to his intoxication. A hammer believed to be connected to the assault was found near Arroyo Park.

  3. Nolan Dennett, 74, a retired dance professor at Western Washington University, was identified as the victim of a homicide that occurred on June 6.

    Nolan Dennett, 74, a retired dance professor at Western Washington University, was identified as the victim of a homicide that occurred on June 6. James Singleton, 36, was identified as the suspect, who allegedly used a hammer to strike Dennett multiple times after an altercation while they were reportedly using methamphetamine. Singleton has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

  4. James Singleton allegedly murdered Nolan Dennett on June 11, 2024, after a methamphetamine-fueled altercation.

    James Singleton allegedly murdered Nolan Dennett on June 11, 2024, after a methamphetamine-fueled altercation. Singleton admitted to using methamphetamine for three days prior to the incident. Dennett was later found deceased after Singleton failed to call 911 immediately.

  5. Nolan Dennett was publicly identified as the victim.

    Nolan Dennett was publicly identified as the victim. He was a retired director and founder of Western Washington University's dance program, remembered as an award-winning choreographer, author, and Fulbright Scholar.

  6. James Singleton, 36, has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder in the death of Nolan Dennett, 74.

    James Singleton, 36, has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder in the death of Nolan Dennett, 74. Singleton was arrested on June 6, 2024, after calling 911 to report Dennett was barely breathing with a head injury. Court documents indicate the two were living together and had been using methamphetamine prior to the incident.

  7. Singleton was charged in Whatcom County Superior Court with premeditated first-degree murder (domestic violence).

    Singleton was charged in Whatcom County Superior Court with premeditated first-degree murder (domestic violence). Court documents included aggravating factors, noting the crime was against an intimate partner and involved a deadly weapon (a hammer).

  8. James Anthony Singleton was arrested and booked into the Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder.

    James Anthony Singleton was arrested and booked into the Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder.

  9. Singleton called 911 to report an assault that occurred two to three days prior, stating Dennett was 'barely breathing.

    Singleton called 911 to report an assault that occurred two to three days prior, stating Dennett was 'barely breathing.' Police arrived and found Dennett dead from blunt force trauma.

  10. Nolan Dennett, 74, was allegedly murdered by his roommate, James Anthony Singleton, 36, in his Bellingham home.

    Nolan Dennett, 74, was allegedly murdered by his roommate, James Anthony Singleton, 36, in his Bellingham home. Singleton told detectives he hit Dennett multiple times with a hammer after they had been using methamphetamine and Dennett became 'overly aggressive and dominant.'

May 2024 — 1 developments

  1. James Singleton and Nolan Dennett met online and Dennett invited Singleton to move in with him in Bellingham, Washington.

    James Singleton and Nolan Dennett met online and Dennett invited Singleton to move in with him in Bellingham, Washington.