Wilber Martinez Guzman Pleads Guilty, Avoids Death Penalty in 2019 Case

UPDATE: NOVEMBER 3, 2021

Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson has announced that Wilber Ernesto Martinez Guzman is set to be formally booked on murder charges in Douglas County on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.

Guzman will also be arraigned on those charges on November 9 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 2 of the Ninth Judicial District Court, Minden, Nevada, where he is expected to enter pleas of guilty for the first-degree murders of Connie Koontz and Sophia Renken with the use of a deadly weapon, as well as for the burglaries of their homes while in possession of a deadly weapon.

These procedures follow similar pleas in Washoe County related to the murders of Reno residents Jerry and Sherry David.

UPDATE: OCTOBER 21, 2021

Wilber Martinez Guzman pleaded guilty Thursday to the murders of Jerry and Sherri David in Washoe County District Court.

The judge said Martinez Guzman has to appear separately in Douglas County to admit killing Connie Koontz and Sophia Renken in Gardnerville.

Martinez Guzman told police he committed a series of break-ins, thefts and shootings because he needed money to buy methamphetamine.

Last month, the Nevada Supreme Court had ruled that he must have two separate trials, instead of one big murder trial involving both Washoe and Douglas counties.

The 22-year-old man’s plea deal avoids the death penalty.

Martinez Guzman is scheduled to be sentenced next February in Washoe County and then will be sentenced in Douglas County and Carson City the following week once details are worked out.

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam released the following statement:

“This morning, justice was served in the Washoe County case against Wilber Ernesto Martinez Guzman. This case terrorized Washoe County for weeks in early 2019 and I am pleased to see closure today for the David family as well as for the citizens of Washoe County.

“On behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, I must give incredible credit to Detective Stefanie Brady with the Sheriff’s Office. Detective Brady’s meticulous work on this case more than significantly contributed to today’s outcome. She, along with the outstanding men and women of the Sheriff’s Office who worked this case, deserve our deep gratitude.

“As law enforcement officers – both members of the Sheriff’s Office and prosecutors in the District Attorney’s Office – our number one priority is ensuring the health and safety of those we serve, while simultaneously seeking justice for victims of crimes.

“I am intensely proud of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in this case, from the first day to today. I thank Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks, Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson and their teams for their diligent work. I also wish to thank our federal and regional partners who assisted on this case.

“Last, though certainly not least, let us never forget the victims of the Washoe County case, Gerald and Sharon David. Their family has been through the darkest of days since early 2019 and I am grateful that today, they see resolution.

“To the families of Constance Koontz and Sophia Renken, the Douglas County victims in the larger case, we stand with you and beside you as you seek closure in Douglas County.”

UPDATE: OCTOBER 11, 2021

Douglas County has filed murder charges against accused killer Wilber Ernesto Martinez Guzman, less than two weeks after the Nevada Supreme Court ruled he he must have two separate murder trials - one in Douglas and the other in Washoe County, where he also faces murder charges there as well.

Martinez Guzman is charged with killing Connie Koontz and Sophia Renken in Douglas County.

The arrest warrant issued in Douglas County orders that Martinez Guzman be held without bail. Martinez Guzman will remain in custody at the Washoe County jail where he continues to face charges related to the murders of Gerald and Sharon David in Washoe County, also committed in January 2019.

UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that the man accused of killing four people in two different counties in 2019 must have two separate trials, instead of one big trial.

Wilber Ernesto Martinez Guzman is charged with killing Connie Koontz and Sophia Renken in Douglas County and Gerald and Sharon David in Washoe County.

The ruling now means that both Washoe and Douglas counties will move forward with their own independent prosecutions, which were previously combined.

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks released this statement: “The Supreme Court’s decision only requires that two trials will have to be conducted, one in Washoe County and one in Douglas County. It does not mean that Guzman will evade prosecution for the crimes he is alleged to have committed. While this was a split decision, we respect the Courts ruling and acknowledge it represents a setback in the timely resolution of this case. Regardless, the prosecution of Guzman remains my office’s highest priority. We will continue our steadfast pursuit for justice for the victims of these heinous crimes.”

Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson released this statement: “We have been, and remain, in constant contact with the families of the victims and they know our commitment to seeking justice for the senseless murders of their loved ones. The Supreme Court’s ruling today does not change our commitment. Whether it be one trial or four trials, justice will be served.”

UPDATE, September 2021:

Back in early 2019, law enforcement declared that four people died in a string of homicides in Gardnerville and Reno. The man arrested and accused of those crimes, Wilber Martinez Guzman, was supposed to go on trial September 20th. But that and other court actions are now delayed. The judge initially moved the start of the full trial to 48 hours after September 27th. That's when a mental disability hearing on whether Martinez Guzman is fit to stand trial is set to take place. But a dispute leading up to that hearing has caused the judge to decide not to not set the trial's start date just yet.

This trial has been in the works for 2 years. and now we are just two weeks away from the planned trial date. The trial of Wilber Martinez Guzman has been plagued by delays. Just 2 weeks ago, the defendant's legal team filed a motion to delay the full trial date, that's now set for September 15th. Several other motions were postponed from this week to next week. There have been two attempts to get the murders in Douglas County thrown out of Washoe County courts because of jurisdiction issues. One attempt was denied and the other is still pending. These delays have to be hard on the victim's families, as well as the court itself.

"There is absolutely no excuse for not providing the information the prosecutor has requested. That is my initial feeling today, but I haven't yet ruled on the motion to compel," said Second Judicial District Judge Connie Steinheimer. The big dispute right now, involves the steps leading up to a hearing on whether Martinez Guzman is competent to stand trial. Prosecutors are saying they didn't get all the information in discovery they need for that hearing. "There were neurological and intellectual functioning tests. We have not been given those test results, the notes, or the data on any of those," said Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks. "So it is not that the information is being withheld. We simply asked for the name of the individual to whom we send the information to. It will be sent doctor to doctor," said Public Defender Gianna Verness.

The prosecution is alleging this may affect their case. 'We have come to the realization that we may have to retain additional experts," said Hicks. "I think it makes sense for the prosecution to give us a list of things that they have not been provided, so the defense can review that," said Judge Steinheimer.

The Motion to Compel for more information will be heard on Friday. The defendant's attorneys say that at that time they will respond to the list of additional information the prosecution is requesting.

In a hearing on Wednesday, the trial for Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman was pushed back, but the exact date was not set yet.

He is being accused of killing four people in January 2019.

A 21-year-old Salvadoran man who faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted of killing four northern Nevadans during a two-week crime rampage in January 2019 is now scheduled to go to trial in September.

However, Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman’s latest appeal is still pending before the state Supreme Court.

And the district judge in Reno says everything could change if he files a formal motion seeking to prove he lacks the intellectual capacity to be executed legally in Nevada.

Washoe County Judge Connie Steinheimer said Monday she has scheduled the trial to begin Sept. 20 and last up to eight weeks.