A murder case is proceeding against a man whose charges had to be dismissed two weeks ago because the Shasta County Superior Court had no courtroom or judge available. A jury was on standby waiting to hear the charges against 37-year-old Spencer Reno, but his right to a speedy trial timed out and the District Attorney’s Office had to refile the case and start over. A preliminary hearing was done Thursday. The CHP says that in June of 2024 his pickup left Balls Ferry Road near Trefoil Lane and struck a large log, knocking it into a 41-year-old man and killing him. The truck was stuck and the driver was gone when the CHP arrived, but an investigation led them to identify Reno. The following month Reno was reportedly pursued by officers after a reckless drunk driving incident in Cottonwood, and eventually arrested with a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit. A few days later officers arrested Reno at his home in Red Bluff. He also is charged for an incident in March of 2024 when he allegedly sped up to 110 miles an hour and swerved into a big rig, striking it. His passenger testified Thursday that she grabbed the wheel and steered them away from the truck. Reno was ordered to face 11 felony charges. He returns to court November 12th.
-Steve Gibson