Chico Man to Stand Trial for Allegedly Killing Other Man with Golf Club
Above: Hunter Harris
Photo credit: Butte County District Attorney’s Office
CHICO, CA — A 28 year old man from Chico will be held to answer for allegedly killing another man with a golf club, the Butte County District Attorney’s Office has announced.
In a press release, the District Attorney’s Office announced that Hunter Edward Hamlin Harris, of Chico, had been ordered to stand trial following a preliminary hearing related to the death of Austin Robert Olson-Swanick, 29, also of Chico.
Harris faces a charge of murder with the use of a weapon, specifically a golf putter, according to District Attorney Mike Ramsey.
The alleged incident occurred on May 26 of this year, when Harris and Olson-Swanick, who were staying in an apartment with others on the 2500 block of The Esplanade in Chico, reportedly engaged in a physical altercation outside the residence.
Although the altercation was initially interrupted by others present, and the two men returned indoors, a second confrontation broke out inside the apartment, during which Harris allegedly struck Olson-Swanick multiple times in the head and neck with a golf putter.
The District Attorney’s Office reported that Olson-Swanick’s death was attributed to severe blood loss caused by a puncture wound to an artery in his neck, inflicted by the broken shaft of the putter.
Following the incident, Harris reportedly fled the scene but was apprehended by Chico police two hours later.
Harris remains in custody at the Butte County Jail on $1,125,000 bail and is scheduled to return to court on December 18.
