SANTA ROSA (KRON/BCN) — A 40-year-old man accused of killing a man and stuffing his body into a barrel outside Sonoma City Hall pleaded not guilty in Sonoma County Superior Court Thursday.
Christopher McNatt is charged with murder and personal use of a hammer in the killing of Ronald Gordon Sauvageau, 64, on March 20 in a mobile home at the Acacia Grove Mobile Home Park on state Highway 12 in Sonoma Valley.
A witness reported seeing someone dump a barrel and a couch cushion in front of Sonoma City Hall around 11:50 p.m. on March 20, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
Sonoma police found a 55-gallon plastic barrel with dried blood on the outside and a blue tarp on top. Sauvageau’s body was found inside.
McNatt, who has a criminal history, is being held in Sonoma County Jail without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 17.