News Briefs: December 9, 2009
KFC robbery suspect pleads not guilty
A Washington state man charged with robbing a fast food restaurant in Willows last week, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Glenn County Superior Court.
Daniel Charcoal, 46, is accused of grabbing a sack of coins from the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise owner after reportedly stating he had a gun, police and witnesses reported.
Charcoal reportedly ran out to a waiting vehicle and headed south on Interstate 5, where he was arrested by police about four miles north of Williams.
Police recovered the coins, which reportedly totaled less than $100, but no gun was ever located.
Charcoal is due back in court Dec. 23 for a preliminary hearing.
He faces felony charges of robbery and driving a stolen vehicle, and remains in custody at the Glenn County Jail in lieu of $60,000 bail, a jail spokesman confirmed.
Attempted murder preliminary today
The Colusa man charged with stabbing a man from his court-ordered support group last month is due back in Colusa County Superior Court today for a preliminary hearing.
Nicolas Abel Rodriguez, 20, has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the Oct. 20 incident outside a Colusa apartment complex on Wescott Road.
Johnny S. Huffman, 22, of Colusa was found bleeding from his stomach and 3-inch folding knife, believed to be the weapon used in the reported attack, was recovered near-by, police said.
Witnesses told police that Rodriguez and Huffman, who reportedly met through a court-ordered support group, had been arguing earlier that evening in the apartment of an unrelated family and were asked to leave, authorities said.
The disagreement turned violent, police said, when Rodriguez reportedly stabbed Huffman on the lawn outside.
Rodriguez remains in custody without bail at the Colusa County Jail.
