James Allen Paul was born on April 19, 1947, in Norfolk, Virginia. Information about his early life is sparse and much of his personal background remains undocumented in public records. However, it is known that as an adult, Paul worked as a stable hand at various farms, performing physical labor and animal care. 

James Allen Paul was an American spree killer who committed a series of murders during a short period in May 1984. His first known victim was Virginia Vickory. On May 15, 1984, her body was found in a field in Readington Township, New Jersey. She had been shot in the face at close range. The police quickly connected the murder to Paul, who was living at the same motel as Vickory.

After Vickory's murder, Paul fled to Connecticut. On May 17, 1984, 18-year-old Robin White went missing. Investigators believed that she might have accepted a ride from Paul. Her body was later discovered on May 20 along a road in Portland, Connecticut. She had also been shot to death with the same gun used to kill Vickory.

On May 22, another victim was found. George Call, a 45-year-old nurse, was discovered shot to death at a rest area along Interstate 91 in Springfield, Vermont. He had been shot in the face twice and his wallet was stolen.

Christensen authorities put out a warrant for Paul's arrest following Call's murder. He was considered armed and dangerous, prompting a nationwide alert. Investigators theorized that he might return to New Jersey to call a relative. They tracked him to a diner in Arlington, New Jersey, where he was arrested. Paul had been driving Vickory's car and possessed a .22 caliber handgun.

Paul was charged with Vickory’s murder and held without bail in the Hunterdon County Jail. To avoid a potential death sentence, he later pleaded guilty to her killing, as well as to burglary and weapons charges. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in New Jersey State Prison. While he was also charged with the murders of Robin Whaite and George Call, he never stood trial for those killings, as the plea deal focused solely on the New Jersey case to ensure swift justice and avoid multiple lengthy trials.

Paul served the remainder of his sentence at New Jersey State Prison. He died on March 3, 2000, from natural causes while still incarcerated.