WCDA Press Conference

Press Conference Regarding State v. Wilber Ernesto Martinez Guzman

Press Conference Advisory

Reno, Nevada
October 21, 2021

Subject:  Press Conference Regarding State v. Wilber Ernesto Martinez      

Guzman Murder Prosecution – Change of Plea

Press Conference Will Immediately Follow a 9:00 am District Court Hearing Scheduled in Department 4

When:     Thursday October 21, 2021 – Beginning at approximately 10:00 am

Where:    Washoe County District Attorney’s Office (WCDA)
        3^rd Floor Classroom
          One South Sierra Street
          Reno, Nevada

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks will be holding a press conference immediately following a status hearing regarding State v. Wilber Ernesto Martinez Guzman. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:00am in Washoe County District Court, and Guzman is expected to enter a change of plea. Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson will also be speaking at the press conference and will outline next steps within his jurisdiction. Both DA Hicks and Jackson will be taking questions. Additionally, a representative from the David family will be making a brief statement addressing the Washoe County case.

The prosecution of the Guzman case is approaching three years and numerous defense challenges and continuances have caused repeated delays. In September, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled two separate trials must be conducted, prompting each jurisdiction to begin moving forward with independent murder prosecutions. The families of Connie Koontz and Sophia Renken of Douglas County and Gerald and Sharon David of Washoe County have endured much throughout this process and the decision to reach a plea agreement will bring some finality to them.

In addition to four First Degree Murder with Use of a Deadly Weapon charges, Guzman has also been charged with numerous related felony crimes in Washoe, Douglas and Carson City including Burglary, Burglary of a Firearm, Burglary While in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of Stolen Property and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The plea agreement reached will represent a global resolution to all charges in all jurisdictions and a full and complete admission of guilt on the part of the defendant, with further agreement to maximum sentences on all charges and that all charges will run consecutive to one another.

Press Conference Information:

The 9am court hearing will be conducted in Department 4 of Washoe County District Court and arrangements to attend must be made through the Court’s media contact. The proceedings will also be viewable in the WCDA’s Office 3^rd floor classroom immediately prior to the press conference.

The WCDA Press Conference will stream live at www.facebook.com/washoecounty

Copies of statements made during the press conference and the guilty plea memo will be provided.