Man changes plea in killing

A 42-year-old Oroville man accused of brutally murdering an elderly woman during a burglary changed his plea as a jury was being selected for his trial earlier this week.

Brian Scott Madding pleaded no contest to first-degree murder, with a burglary enhancement. He is facing a life sentence without parole for the killing of Greta Jayne Putnam, 86, on Nov. 7, 2018, District Attorney Mike Ramsey said in a press release. Madding is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 19.

Madding (pictured) broke into Putnam’s home inside a senior mobile home park in Oroville to steal money and other items to trade for illegal drugs, Ramsey said. Her caretaker discovered her body the next morning. She’d been stabbed at least five times, and attempted to fight off her attacker. Ultimately, a deep stab wound to her neck killed her.