Tree trimmer charged with slashing clients’ throats, leaving 3 dead
Updated 11:05 AM;
OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) A tree trimmer in rural Northern California has been charged in throat-slashing serial killings that left three people dead, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Ryan Scott Blinston, 37, of the small city of Oroville, was charged on Wednesday with murder, attempted murder and arson. The charges included special sentencing allegations that Blinston used a deadly weapon, attacked an elderly victim and committed multiple killings.
He was scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Thursday and could face life in prison without possibility of parole if convicted.
Blinston had been in jail since he was arrested last year and charged in another neck-cutting, authorities said.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Blinston was working for a tree-trimming service in Butte and Tehama counties, north of Sacramento, last May and June when he returned to the clients homes after the work was completed and slashed the throats of the residents, according to prosecutors.
Loreen Severs, 88, of Los Molinos died and her husband, Homer Severs, 91, survived but died that December of an unrelated illness, authorities said.
Blinston also is accused of killing Sandra George, 82, and an acquaintance, Vicky Cline, 57, both of Oroville. He also is charged with torching Cline s car.
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Chico man sentenced to 12 years in state prison for sexual assaults
A Chico man recently convicted of sexually assaulting two women in their own apartments, appeared in Butte County Superior Court Thursday and was sentenced to the maximum term of twelve years in state prison, according to the Butte County District Attorney, Mike Ramsey.
Posted: Apr 29, 2021 4:55 PM
Posted By: Deb Anderaos
CHICO, Calif. - A Chico man recently convicted of sexually assaulting two women in their own apartments, appeared in Butte County Superior Court Thursday and was sentenced to the maximum term of twelve years in state prison, according to the Butte County District Attorney, Mike Ramsey.
Former Vice Mayor of Paradise s trial date set
The former Paradise Councilman Mike Zuccolillo was in court Thursday morning at the Butte County Superior Court to enter a plea.
Posted: Apr 29, 2021 1:37 PM
Updated: Apr 29, 2021 3:29 PM
Posted By: Ricardo Tovar
Zuccolillo is accused of contacting a minor with the intent to have sex, distributing harmful matter, and trying to meet a minor for lewd purposes. He was arrested in April 2020.
Zuccolillo’s trial will begin on Sept. 27.
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