Daniel Wehner murdered two UC Davis students in 1980
(Woodland, CA) – October 27, 2020 – Convicted murderer Daniel Wehner was denied parole for the 13th time on October 27, 2020, by a two-commissioner panel of the Board of Parole Hearings. Wehner is currently housed at California State Prison – Solano, in Vacaville, CA. 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 Mary Thornton and Deputy Commissioner Patrick Reardon both agreed that Wehner still posed a continued risk to public safety should he be released from prison. Commissioner Thornton stated “You were callous towards others. You brutally shot the victims not considering how that loss would affect their family and friends.” She continued, “we were concerned about your lack of credibility and minimization. And you were not honest in describing the physical abuse you did to Robin before the life crime.”
Robin Ehlman’s father and younger sister, who was 14 when Wehner murdered Robin and John, made passionate statements. Chief Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Raven represented the District Attorney’s Office at the hearing. Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel, retired police officers, as well as retired District Attorney Investigators, Kay Lipelt and Jon Updergraff, who was a Davis police officer on his first week on the job at the time of the murders, wrote letters 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.” Investigator Lipelt was assigned to processing the crime scene. What he remembered the most was Wehner’s cold, calculated intent to kill, as evidenced by the scene and autopsies. Investigator Updergraff recalled these murders as being the most gruesome he has seen in over 30 years in law enforcement. When he arrived at the apartment, Mr. Manville was still alive. The gurgling sounds he heard left an indelible impression on him.
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.
###
