Two accused in fork, hammer, blowtorch torture case are sentenced

Two men originally accused of torturing a man with a fork, hammer and blowtorch in San Luis Obispo County have pleaded no contest to felony assault, according to the San Luis Obispo Valley Tribune. 

Daniel Andrew Zeller, 42, and Philip Clyde Williams Jr., 45, were sentenced Tuesday to four months behind bars and three years probation. They received credit for time served.

The victim, Travis Michael Lord, 28, was also sentenced to state prison for failing to register as a sex offender.

The defendants were originally charged with beating and torturing Lord with a fork, hammer and blowtorch in California Valley, but the case grew weaker when everyone gave different accounts of the incident.

“It was difficult to obtain a chronological and detailed interview with the victim as at times he was uncooperative and complained about questions,” a probation report cited by the newspaper stated.

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-- From a Times staff writer

Photos: Daniel Andrew Zeller, 42, left, and Philip Clyde Williams Jr. Credit: San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department