Convicted Davis murderer Daniel Wehner was denied parole for the 13th time this week by a two-commissioner panel of the Board of Parole Hearings. He is currently housed at California State Prison Solano in Vacaville.
In March 1980, Wehner brutally murdered his former girlfriend Robin Ehlman and her friend John Manville at the Castilian Apartments in Davis. Ehlman was 19 years old when she was killed and Manville, a UC Davis veterinarian student, was 25. Wehner had been stalking Ehlman 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 in state prison for the murders. Prior to the sentencing hearing a court-appointed psychiatrist interviewed members of Wehner’s family, who described him as “irresponsible,” “violent” and having an “explosive temper.”
“He had a winning personality and charmed older people but had not an ounce of sincerity,” said Wehner’s family, who also described Ehlman as “soft and gentle.”
At Tuesday’s parole hearing, conducted remotely by video due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parole board Commissioner Mary Thornton and Deputy Commissioner Patrick Reardon both agreed that Wehner, now 67, still posed a continued risk to public safety should he be released from prison.
“You were callous towards others. You brutally shot the victims not considering how that loss would affect their family and friends,” Thornton told Wehner. “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.”
Ehlman’s father and younger sister, who was 14 at the time of the murders, delivered 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 and retired district attorney investigators Kay Lipelt and Jon Updegraff, who was a Davis police officer on his first week on the job when the double-homicide occurred, wrote letters opposing Wehner’s release.
“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,” Pytel wrote.
Lipelt, who was assigned to processing the crime scene, wrote that what he remembered most was Wehner’s cold, calculated intent to kill, as evidenced by the scene and autopsies.
Updegraff 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 expressed pride in the efforts of his Lifer Parole Division.
“We will continue to do everything we can to support the Ehlman and Manville families,” Reisig said. “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.