BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — Talks are ongoing between the city of Bakersfield and prison officials in Taft over using the prison’s jail space to house inmates convicted of crimes in Bakersfield. According to the Taft Midway Driller, the Taft city manager says discussions about using the Community Correctional Facility to house inmates are still in…… Read More
BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — A convicted Kern County killer has been denied parole. Arturo Huerta, 73, was sentenced in 2013 after his conviction on second-degree murder charges for killing Acamea Coy in his bedroom with a knife and a ball-peen hammer in 2011. Huerta’s roommate told police the voice of a woman screaming “no” was…… Read More
BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — A Kern County jury has deadlocked on key charges after a fight at a park in Oildale. Jurors acquitted Felix Gutierrez last week of possessing a gun and showing a weapon, but failed to convict him of misdemeanor battery. The trouble happened April 27, 2025 at Beardsley Park after a group…… Read More
BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — A Bakersfield couple accused of torture and murder are set to appear in court Thursday, December 11. A readiness hearing is scheduled for Raya Mata, Jr., 31, and Graciela Bustamonte, 27, following the death August 2, 2025, of Mata’s daughter Genesis Mata, 8. The child’s tortured remains were discovered inside a…… Read More
BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — Opening statements began Monday in the trial of a Visalia woman accused of murder after allegedly leaving her children inside a hot car in southwest Bakersfield. Defense attorneys told the court they plan to concede to charges of manslaughter and child cruelty, but will contest a second-degree murder charge against Maya…… Read More
BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — A Bakersfield man has been found guilty of first degree murder in a New Year’s Day stabbing. On Wednesday, jurors convicted Kenneth Landcraft, 60, of killing Paul Camarillo Jr., 35, on January 1, 2025. Surveillance video shows Landcraft step out of a car with a knife and rush Camarillo in an…… Read More
BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — A Bakersfield woman convicted of driving drunk and crashing into a house will be sentenced next week. Madison Williams, 29, was found guilty in October of felony DUI charges and could spend several years in prison after she ran a stop sign at Old River Road and Taft Highway and struck…… Read More
BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — A 49-year-old man is accused of luring two teenagers to a southwest Bakersfield hotel room where he allegedly drugged and raped a 14-year-old girl. Court documents indicate Christopher Nelson allegedly gave the girl methamphetamine, then engaged in several sex acts at a hotel in the 3600 block of Wible Road on…… Read More
BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — Authorities have released the name of a man shot to death by California Highway Patrol officers after a high-speed chase that ended south of Bakersfield. James Peattie, 58, allegedly began shooting at CHP officers during the pursuit Monday that started in Wasco when he reportedly showed up at the Wasco police…… Read More
BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — A northwest Bakersfield man enters a plea after being accused of shooting his wife to death. Manuel Robles, 37, appeared in court Tuesday to answer to murder charges after his wife was found dead November 26 at the couple’s home in the 6200 block of Tallulah Falls Court. Authorities say the…… Read More
