Reno Man Convicted in Felony Domestic Violence Jury Trial

District Attorney’s Chris Hicks Announces Reno Man Convicted on Felony Domestic Violence Charges

May 5, 2016

Reno, Nevada

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has announced that a Reno man has been convicted on multiple domestic battery charges after a three day jury trial that took place in District Court. Based on the charges, the man faces up to 27 years in prison. 

David Jay Diaz, 36 (DOB 5/3/80) from Reno was convicted yesterday evening on the following felony counts; Preventing or Dissuading a Victim, Assault with Use of a Deadly Weapon, Attempted Robbery, Coercion with Physical Force or Immediate Threat of Physical Force and the gross misdemeanor of False Imprisonment. Diaz was also found guilty of a misdemeanor count of Domestic Battery. 

The case against Diaz began on Christmas morning, December 25, 2015 when a female victim ran into the Reno Police Department and reported that she had been beaten by her boyfriend.  Patrol officers responded and began an investigation.  While interviewing the victim, officers noticed she had visible red marks on her head and face, and appeared frightened and kept repeating “he beat me.”  Officers identified Diaz and determined that during the course of battering the victim he had prevented her from leaving the motel room they shared, shattered her cell phone against the wall and strangled her.  Diaz had also threatened the victim with a bat, telling her he would kill her. Diaz was arrested and this office filed formal criminal charges against him.

During trial the prosecutor presented evidence that Diaz intoxicated when he arrived at the room that morning and began an argument which led to his beating the victim, slamming her head against a cement wall and threatening to kill her.  The victim testified at trial that she had attempted to get away, only to have Diaz pull her back into the room.  When she ultimately got away, she ran to the nearby police station wearing only her slippers and pajamas.   

Diaz is set for sentencing on June 21, 2016 in department 8 of district court.  He faces anywhere between 1 and 27 years in prison depending on the individual sentences running consecutive or concurrent.