Murder charge filed in California body-in-barrel case
SONOMA, Calif. - Authorities say a 40-year-old California man used a hammer to kill another man, stuffed his body inside a plastic barrel and dumped it in front of the Sonoma City Hall.
Prosecutors charged Christopher McNatt on Tuesday with murder with the special allegation of using a hammer in the slaying of 64-year-old Ronald Sauvageau. The Press Democrat of Santa Rosa reports that McNatt appeared in court, but he did not enter a plea.
He was due back in court on Thursday.
The blood-stained barrel was covered with a plastic tarp when it was discarded in front of city hall late Friday in California wine country. McNatt was arrested the next day.
Sheriff's officials have not disclosed a possible motive or what, if any, relationship McNatt and Sauvageau had.