Trial date set in April 2020 for suspect in murder of Gardnerville women, Reno couple
A trial date in April 2020 has been set for Wilber Martinez-Guzman, the 19-year-old accused of killing four people during a 10-day murder spree through Douglas and Washoe counties.
On Tuesday, Martinez-Guzman had an arraignment in Washoe County District Court, where he waived his right to a speedy trial. He pled not guilty to murdering four people in Reno and Gardnerville in January. He also pled not guilty for burglary and possession of stolen weapons.
According to Washoe District Attorney Chris Hicks and Douglas County DA Mark Jackson, the trial and penalty could take up to two months.
The trial date has been set for April 6, 2020, which will be 15 months after the murders took place.
At a press conference last week, prosecutors announced they would be seeking the death penalty due to the aggravating circumstances of the crime.
Washoe County Public Defender John Arrascada has been assigned to defend Martinez-Guzman.
According to prosecutors, there will be monthly updates on the status of the case, which will involve both prosecutors and Defense Attorney Arrascada. Updates will include any developments on the case.
The first update is set for April 29, 2019.
Martinez-Guzman still faces charges in Carson City relating to attempting to sell stolen property obtained from the victims during the robbery. He originally also faced over thirty counts relating to possessing stolen firearms, however those have been added to the charges filed in the Douglas/Washoe trial.
He will face those charges after the trial and sentencing in Washoe County District Court.
Martinez-Guzman was apprehended in Carson City on Jan. 19 in the Carson Mall Parking Lot after he was stopped following a surveillance investigation. Law enforcement agents were concerned he may try to dispose of evidence linking him to the crimes and took him into custody.
The four victims were Connie Koontz of Gardnerville, Sophia Renken of Gardnerville, and Gerald and Sharon David of South Reno.
Law Enforcement announced in a press release earlier this year that Martinez-Guzman had admitted to the murders, and had admitted to stealing a .22 pistol from the Davids on a previous date before using the gun to kill the four victims, coming back to the Davids house last.
After the Davids were killed he also allegedly stole an additional 11 guns from their residence and buried them in Carson City wrapped in a tarp. The Davids property was burglarized a total of three times, according to the DA.
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