WCDA Announces Conclusion of State v. Wilber Ernesto Martinez Guzman

Defendant in 2019 Killing Spree Receives Four Consecutive Life Without the Possibility of Parole Prison Terms Plus an Aggregate 214 years in Prison for All Charged Offenses in Washoe County, Douglas County and Carson City

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks and Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson have announced that sentencing hearings for Wilber Ernesto Martinez Guzman have concluded. Guzman was sentenced last Monday in Washoe County to two terms of life without the possibility of parole for the murders of Jerry and Sherry David, ages 81 and 80. Last Thursday, Guzman was again sentenced to two terms of life without the possibility of parole in Douglas County for the murders of Connie Koontz, age 56 and Sophia Renken, age 74. In addition to the 4 consecutive life sentences without the possibility for parole, Guzman was also sentenced to 160 years in prison for various other crimes connected to the murders in both the Douglas and Washoe County cases. Finally, on Friday, Guzman was sentenced to an aggregate term of 54 years for charges connected to property stolen from the three murder scenes. These sentences mark the conclusion of the prosecution of Guzman for the horrific and senseless murders he committed in January 2019. Following today’s sentencing in Carson City, Guzman is expected to be transfer to the Nevada Department of Corrections where he will spend the rest of his life imprisoned for the crimes he committed.  

Joint Statement of Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson and Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks

For over three years, our offices have had the solemn honor of prosecuting this case and pursuing justice for the David, Koontz and Renken families. The journey has been an unrelenting torture for these families, as it is for so many victims of crime. Our collective hope is that today starts a new chapter, enabling them to move forward from here. As District Attorneys, our shared philosophy has always been to focus on victims and remain cognizant of the anguish they go through in what is becoming an increasingly challenging fight for justice. The conclusion of this case means that Wilber Ernesto Martinez Guzman will never be free to terrorize any community. We are deeply grateful to the victim’s families for their unwavering support and courage. We also applaud the northern Nevada law enforcement agencies whose enormous investigative efforts resulted in the apprehension and successful prosecution of Guzman.

Douglas County District Attorney Mark B. Jackson

Washoe County District Attorney Christopher J. Hicks