Timothy Wayne Wiechert, 51, was found guilty of first-degree murder on Friday, more than two years after the body of Daniel Niles Sr., 61, was found in a cart at FoodMaxx.

A press release issued Friday by Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the trial lasted eight days and stemmed from Niles’ murder on March 10, 2023 when he was killed with a railroad spike.

Wiechert was also found guilty for the attempted murder of Madeline Ridpath, 30, on March 12, 2023.

“The trial prosecutor, Butte County Supervising Deputy District Attorney Marc Noel, presented detailed evidence that Wiechert killed Niles Sr. by repeatedly striking Niles in the head with a railroad spike at an unknown location sometime in the early morning hours of March 10, 2023,” Ramsey’s press release said. “During the trial, a forensic pathologist testified to finding 10 separate injuries to the skull of Niles, each caused by a separate blow from the railroad spike. “

Wiechert killed Niles and placed the body into Niles’ pickup before driving it to FoodMaxx and transferring it to a cart after wrapping the body in a tarp.

Employees at FoodMaxx initially found the body within hours but pushed it out of the business without looking in the tarp, the release said. The body stayed in the cart for 56 hours after being left.

Ramsey said Wiechert is looking at up to 27 years to life in prison, along with seven years to life for the attempted murder conviction.

Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 15.

Hospital arrest

Police have arrested Cassandra Roller, 34, of Chico after an alleged assault was reported at Oroville Hospital, where a woman was strangled on Thursday.

According to a press release issued by the Oroville Police Department, dispatchers received the call at around 6:15 p.m. Thursday. Roller allegedly used a clothing drawstring to strangle a wheelchair-bound patient in the emergency room lobby.

Witnesses attempted to stop and separate the two patients after the assault. The release said the woman who was attacked had no relationship with the attacker.

“It is believed the suspect was under the influence of an unknown controlled substance at the time of the incident. The victim received immediate medical attention from emergency room staff and is expected to recover physically from the assault.”

Police arrested Roller on suspicion of attempted murder as well as causing injury to a dependent adult and assault with a deadly weapon. She was taken to the Butte County Jail.

Those who may have information regarding this case are encouraged by the department to report what they know at 530-538-2444. Information can also be emailed to investigations@oropd.org.

LaMalfa’s office

The Chico Police Department issued a press release Thursday following up on the incident in front of the office of Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) earlier in the day, noting that the suspicious package contained no explosives, but rather soiled diapers.

“(Explosive Ordnance Disposal) technicians examined the package and determined its contents to be safe,” the release said.

It was also determined that the powder around the package was granulated sugar.