Daniel Wehner murdered two UC Davis students in 1980
(Woodland, CA) – July 13, 2022 – Convicted murderer Daniel Wehner was denied parole for the 13th time on July 12, 2022, by a two-commissioner panel of the Board of Parole Hearings. Wehner is currently housed at California State Prison, Corcoran. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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, Commissioner Teal Kazel and Deputy Commissioner Gary Shinaver both agreed that Wehner still posed a continued risk to public safety should he be released from prison. Commissioner Kazel stated “You have accepted responsibility for some of your actions but haven’t come to understand the depth and breadth of your actions. You have a superficial understanding and remorse for the victims.” She continued, “you have not internalized the concepts you’ve learned in your programming.”
At the hearing, Robin Ehlman’s father and younger sister, who was 14 when Wehner murdered Robin and John, made passionate statements. The sister of John Manville also spoke. Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven represented the District Attorney’s Office at the hearing. Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel wrote a letter in opposition to Wehner’s release. Chief Pytel stated that “The shocking acts of violence committed by Mr. Wehner victimized our entire community. This community is still not over that shock and terror of the murders committed by Mr. Wehner.”
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 Ehlman and Manville families. We will continue to remember and honor Robin and John. That is the very least we can do for these families and all families who have survived similar tragedies.”
Daniel Wehner will be eligible for parole again in three years.
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