Daniel Wehner murdered two UC Davis students in 1980 – Aaron Anthony Valadez assaulted the victim in 2009
(Woodland, CA) – August 7, 2025 – Convicted murderer Daniel Wehner was denied parole for the 14th time on August 5, 2025, by a two-commissioner panel of the Board of Parole Hearings. Wehner is currently housed at California State Prison, Corcoran. The hearing was conducted remotely by video.
In March,1980, Wehner brutally murdered his former girlfriend Robin Ehlman and her friend John Manville at the Castilian Apartments in Davis. Robin was 19 years old when she was murdered and Manville, a UC Davis veterinarian student, was 25. Wehner had been stalking Robin and had physically and emotionally abused her during their relationship, causing her to lose consciousness after choking her on at least one occasion.
On June 19, 1981, after Wehner agreed to a plea, a Yolo County judge sentenced Wehner to 27-years-to-life for the murders. A court appointed psychiatrist interviewed Wehner’s family prior to the sentencing hearing. Family members described him as “irresponsible,” having an “explosive temper,” and “violent.” “He had a winning personality and charmed older people but had not an ounce of sincerity.” Wehner’s family described Robin as “soft and gentle.”
Today, the Parole Board Commissioners both agreed that Wehner still posed “an unreasonable risk to public safety” should he be released from prison. Commissioner Thornton stated, “You need a higher dosage of programming regarding domestic violence, and you have a lack of insight into your personality disorders including narcissistic and borderline traits.” She continued, “you have very shallow remorse and do not have a genuine expression of remorse.”
Robin younger sister, who was 14 when Wehner murdered Robin and John, made passionate statements. Also, the sister and nephew of John Manville spoke at the hearing. Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven represented the District Attorney’s Office at the hearing – this was the seventh time he has attended these hearings. Davis Police Chief Todd Henry wrote a letter in opposition to Wehner’s release. Chief Henry stated, “this crime left a deep wound in our community that has yet to heal. I urge the Board to deny parole and ensure that Mr. Wehner remains incarcerated for the full term of the sentence imposed. Justice must be upheld not only for the sake of the victims but to maintain the public’s faith in the system.”
Daniel Wehner will be eligible for parole again in three years.
The second hearing was for 34-year-old Aaron Anthony Valadez, who was also denied parole. This was his first parole suitability hearing. Valadez is currently housed at California State Prison, Solano. This hearing was also conducted remotely by video.
The life crime occurred on September 20, 2009, when the victim had driven a friend to a store in Woodland. The friend went into the store and the victim remained seat belted in his car. The victim’s friend left the store with two packs of beer that the friend began to put in the back seat of the car. At that point a group of males, including Mr. Valadez, stormed the victim’s car. At least three males began attacking the victim through the driver’s side door. The victim heard one of the males, who were all validated Norteño criminal street gang members, accuse the friend of being a “scrap” which is a derogatory term used for a Sureño gang member. While the victim was being hit and kicked by the three males on the driver’s side of the car, the victim tried to get out of the car and the Mr. Valadez repeatedly closed the door on the victim’s legs preventing him from escaping. A fourth individual then leaned into the car through the passenger side and cut the victim’s face with a sharp object. The victim suffered a large gash on his face that started at the right corner of his mouth and ran approximately 6” to his right lower jaw. The victim required numerous stitches to close the wound which left a large scar. Neither the victim or his friend were gang members or associated with any gang.
On August 20, 2012, a Yolo County jury convicted Mr. Valadez of several crimes including Aggravated Mayhem with an enhancement that the crime was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in associating with a criminal street gang. At the time of sentencing in December 2012, Mr. Valadez was sentenced on three different cases to a total term of 17 years and 4 months to life in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
Shortly after arriving at the CDCR, Mr. Valadez was involved in a group attack on another inmate. He was charged and convicted of Assault on a Prisoner and received an additional 6 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The parole suitability hearing held on August 5, 2025, was Mr. Valadez’ first hearing before the Board of Parole. The victim’s mother attended the proceeding and gave a statement about how they can never forget about this violent crime as it is apparent every time that she and her husband look at their son. When denying Mr. Valadez’ parole, the Commissioners commented on his lack of insight into his criminal behavior and the need for him to complete additional rehabilitative programs before he would no longer pose an unreasonable risk to the public if paroled.
Aaron Valadez will be eligible for parole again in three years.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig stated that he is proud of the efforts of his Lifer Parole Division. “We will continue to do everything we can to support the victims’ families. We will continue to remember and honor them. That is the very least we can do for these families and all families who have survived similar tragedies.”
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