Butte County Jury Convicts Magalia Man of Rape, Sodomy, Domestic Violence
BUTTE COUNTY, CA — “After a two-week trial, a Butte County jury took less than two hours to find Christopher Lawrence Killion, 25, of Magalia, guilty of two counts of forcible rape, forcible sodomy, and domestic violence charges this past Friday. The convictions stem from Killion’s violent sexual and physical abuse against three separate women with whom he had domestic relationships between 2021 and 2023.
In 2023, the Chico Police Department initiated an investigation after one of the victims was raped in her home by Killion. A subsequent investigation revealed a pattern of domestic physical and sexual abuse against two additional victims who had previously dated Killion. All three victims testified in court, outlining the pattern of abuse and the specific instances of sexual and physical abuse by Killion.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said, ‘The trial prosecutors had to educate the jury about the degrading and abusive techniques an abuser uses to obtain and maintain control over a victim.’
Trial prosecutors Jessica Miller and Alexander Bigwood showed that the victims were subjected to repeated and multiple techniques of abuse at the hands of Killion. All were designed to control and manipulate the victims throughout the course of their relationship.
Ramsey praised the victims for standing up to Killion and for enduring years of court continuances to finally see justice, not only for themselves but for the community at large, as a dangerous man is now off the streets.
Killion had previously been on formal probation for threatening next-door neighbors in Magalia after they heard one of Killion’s domestic violence outbursts and called police in 2022. This prior conviction means Killion will be sentenced under California’s three-strikes sentencing scheme. The time Killion serves will be doubled based on his prior conviction.
Killion is next in court on December 9, 2026, for sentencing. He faces upwards of 98 years to life for the crimes he committed. He remains in the Butte County Jail until his sentencing.”
