In this episode of Crime Watch Daily Updates: One Southern California man’s attempt to avoid paying for his nuptials left two people dead and dozens emotionally crushed.
Daniel Wozniak was a community theater actor who needed money to bankroll his wedding and honeymoon to his acting partner, Rachel Buffett, as well as pay off several debts. And he needed that money fast.
Daniel lived in the same building as Samuel Herr, a 26-year-old Army vet who saved up over $60,000 in combat pay. Daniel saw him as the perfect target.
On May 21, 2010, Daniel shot Sam at the same theater, where hours later, he would be back on stage in a leading role. Daniel beheaded Sam, dismembered his body, and scattered his remains in a park. Daniel planned on stealing $50,000 from Sam to pay off his debts and still have some money left over for his upcoming vows.
Then, the same night, Daniel used Sam’s phone to text Sam’s friend Julie Kibuishi in a ploy to lure her to Sam’s apartment. He shot Julie and framed the scene to look like she had been raped and killed.
It all came tumbling down for Daniel when cops arrested him at his bachelor party days later. He got caught because he hired a teen to take money out of Sam’s account, and investigators linked it back to Daniel.
He was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in December 2015. The jury also voted to invoke the death penalty.
Rachel, Daniel’s now-ex-fiancée, didn’t get away scott-free, either. In September 2018, a jury found her guilty on two counts of being an accessory after the fact because she supposedly misled detectives during the investigation. She was sentenced to 32 months in jail.
In July 2021, Daniel was moved out of San Quentin, which is California’s death row prison for males, to a lower-security prison as part of a rehabilitation and work program.
Now, let’s look back at the case that left two innocent people dead all because one man was behind on his dues.
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Why would his previous case be relevant? He was acquitted after all.
I think this is an example of the US legal system showing that it cannot deter all crimes because this guy thought he had all his bases covered, he thought the police would be looking for a ghost forever, and he would be laughing to the bank, I think it could've almost worked
This guys motive and the way he went about this was the most selfish, pathetic and disgusting thing ive ever heard
Is it just me or does his girlfriend sound like shes involved and new alot more then she said. Im betting she new of the plan to get the money
I don't believe the girlfriend/fiance was as guilty as they made her, beyond the lying of the man in the black hat. Why on the jail call, admittedly knowing the police were recording, would she reveal that his brother had a bag of evidence – basically sealing her love's fate?? Makes no sense
What a shame. If only Daniel Wozniak had realized just how much of an incompetent moron he was, Sam and Julie would still be alive.
Was he going to keep killing to keep up with his bills? 🤔 Stupid!
Army vets are trustable they say
Ummm how would that work!!?? Steal money from an account of a man that was on the run!?! His plans ruined big time
This guy couldn't hold a job, why get married? That's crazy.
I’ve listened to all of the jail calls and I think it is really messed up they went after Rachel. She was a victim of this lying man also.
Kills 2 people and then gets put into lower level security. 🙄
Predator with a smile on his face. Sicko.
pressure to perform every moment of his life. Completely empty human.
Why does that detective keep winking at me?sorry not sorry lol. Thank you TCD for the coverage, love the narraration!
As someone that had just killed two people the way he said "eliminate me?" back to the cops sounded like he was scared they were going to kill him or something. Not everyone is you dude.
Rest in peace to the victims and love to their families.
Love of money root of evil! Too many Americans love money
The most dsguisting sob I ever saw on your Channel…i could just 🤮 for days thinking of this…creature. Not even Human, that's for sure.
What rehabilitación?????
What tha !!!!!
Good they put him on death penalty.
Poor Sam 🙁 when he was shot, he just thought it was someone else, never even suspected his "friend" who was there behind him
The DA is one handsome dude ! 😍
What is the connection with Daniel and the pimple faced teenager? How did he get the credit card.
Unfortunately, as a resident of California…I will say that there will never be a death for Wozniak in San Quentin or anywhere in this state. We have many death row inmates who will never get the gas chamber or any punishment, other than life in Prison without parole. Meanwhile…the grieving family members will have to decide whether or not to show up at every hearing whenever something comes up involving this case, over and over, AGAIN. It is a travesty. I like my state very much. But…I don't like that the death penalty is not ON THE TABLE. There are some cases that deserve death…not endless incarceration. We need massive changes to our legal system, so victims and their families are not continuously traumatized…without RECOURSE.
Bruh that pimple face teenager comment was out of pocket
He talk about murdered his victims like talk about given directions …. but he is on work release…….OK
8:43 … imagine watching a video you're going to be mentioned in and you get described as a "pimple faced teenager" … a hole freakin narrator lol … he was in the 20/20 story and he had a clear face btw !
Killing for a trip!! Idts. Now u on a permanent trip behind bars.
Simply outrageous