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.