Double murder in Berry Creek

How often does a suspect turn himself in? Well, Allen Lee Leverette did on Sunday after learning authorities wanted to talk to him. Then he was arrested and charged with two counts of murder.

Leverette became a suspect after two events were linked. First, a gold pickup truck went off the road and hit a tree in Berry Creek Friday evening (May 7). A white male was seen running from the scene. A few hours later, Butte County Sheriff’s officers responded to a Berry Creek home, where they found the bodies of James Dale Starick, 71, and his wife, Alnita Mae Starick, 69. Sgt. Jason Hail described the cause of death as “blunt-force trauma” but would release no details.

Turns out the pickup belonged to the Staricks. Another pickup, a silver Ford, had been reported stolen on Thursday (May 6) from Chico and was found this week in Berry Creek. An autopsy is being performed and Leverette, who has a prior conviction for assault with a deadly weapon, was expected to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon (May 12).