FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Case # 12CF3397
Date: September 13, 2018
FIANCÉE OF MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH PENALTY FOR 2010 DOUBLE MURDER OF NEIGHBOR AND NEIGHBOR’S FRIEND CONVICTED AS ACCESSORY
SANTA ANA, Calif. – The fiancée of a man who was sentenced to the death penalty for the double execution-style murder of his neighbor and neighbor’s friend for financial gain was convicted yesterday as an accessory to murder.
|
Defendant |
Charges |
Maximum Sentence |
Court Date |
|
Rachel Mae Buffett, 31, Costa Mesa |
Found guilty by a jury on Sept. 12, 2018 of the following felony counts:
|
Three years and eight months in state prison |
Sentencing
Oct. 8, 2018, 9:00 a.m.
Department 41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana |
Circumstances of the Case
- In 2010, Buffett was engaged to 28-year-old Daniel Patrick Wozniak. The two were planning to marry May 28, 2010 in Long Beach, a week after the murders of 26-year-old Samuel Herr and Herr’s friend, 23-year-old Juri “Julie” Kibuishi.
- On May 3, 2012, Wozniak was indicted by the Orange County Grand Jury and charged with two felony counts of special circumstances murder with special circumstance sentencing enhancements including multiple murders, murder for financial gain, and the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. On Dec. 16, 2015, he was convicted by a jury, who recommended death, and on Sept. 23, 2016 was sentenced to the death penalty.
- Several times in May and June 2010, Buffett lied to Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) officers. Buffet was convicted for lying to police throughout the investigation in an attempt to protect Wozniak.
Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy, Homicide Unit