Ex-lawman found not guilty
Former Yuba County sheriff’s deputy cleared of felony assault
A Butte County jury found a former Yuba County sheriff’s deputy not guilty Friday (March 6) of felony charges of battery and assault and dissuading a witness by force.
The case stemmed from a scuffle on St. Patrick’s Day last year in downtown Chico between the then-deputy Nelson Magana and a man—a stranger to Magana—named Felipe Zabala that started in the restroom area of the building at Second Street and Broadway that houses Burgers & Brew. Witnesses gave differing accounts, with some blaming Magana and others blaming Zabala, who was reportedly knocked unconscious. Both men had high levels of alcohol in their bloodstreams.
Magana was laid off from the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office soon after the incident and filed a personal injury lawsuit against Zabala last August. That case is set for consideration March 24.
More Local Stories » Downstroke
Student killed at house party
Chico State student shot and killed at house party in south campus neighborhood.
Published on 03.12.15
Local drone protester arrested
Published on 03.12.15
Gruendl quits Glenn County job
Scott Gruendl steps down from his job as director of Glenn County’s Health and Human Services Agency.
Published on 03.05.15
Lecturer dies at work
Custodian finds Chico State lecturer Willis Geer in his office in Butte Hall.
Published on 03.05.15
Confusion over waste-hauling
Changes in county’s recycling and waste haulers spur questions.
Published on 03.05.15