William Chrisman, 68, of Berry Creek, California, was murdered on January 4, 2018. A longtime logger who had recently retired, Chrisman was found dead outside his home from eight gunshot wounds and four significant blunt force trauma injuries to the head. Neighbors described him as reliable, trustworthy and easy-going.

Investigators focused on Jasson Michael Stepp, 41, of Oroville, who had worked as a handyman on Chrisman’s property the previous summer and was fired on suspicion of theft. Authorities linked Stepp to the killing with DNA evidence, tire tread impressions and neighborhood video showing his vehicle traveling to and from Chrisman’s home on the day of the murder; cell phone records placed him in contact with and at the victim’s home in the days before the killing.

After a first trial that produced no unanimous verdict, a jury convicted Stepp in December 2020. In March 2021 a Butte County judge sentenced him to 20 years to life, comprising 15 years to life for the murder and an additional five years for a separate identity theft plea. If anyone knew William Chrisman or has information about his murder, please share what is known.