True Crime Fans - Wozniak Trial

[elleblue]

On Wednesday, Daniel Wozniak was found guilty of a double murder with the potential to be sentenced to death. link This is a case local to me and my H and I are acquaintances with his (then) fiancee.* I actually met him one time and thought that he was sort of odd, which is not at all shocking in hindsight. :/

In googling for more information on the trial, I ran across this blog written by someone who worked at the theater where he last performed. I haven't had a chance to read much of it yet, but this person visited him while he awaited trial, so it might provide an interesting read. 

This whole thing is insane and completely surreal, from the first murder and body disposal to the staging of the second murder. It sounds very much like he's a sociopath. 






*I'm not going to say how we know her, because as you all know, this is not a safe place

[tiramisu]

This case is crazy. I remember my parents telling me about it because they're local to it too. The idea of something like this happening where it did is still so difficult to grasp. I'm glad they found him guilty.

Also, I've been reading the blog and I want to reach through the computer screen and shake the writer. She sounds a bit ding-y and naive.

[StrawberryBlondie]

I can't read this story because I know someone with the exact same name. Not the same guy but that's who I picture when I see the name.

[elleblue]

Dec 19, 2015 11:02:05 GMT -5 tiramisu said:

This case is crazy. I remember my parents telling me about it because they're local to it too. The idea of something like this happening where it did is still so difficult to grasp. I'm glad they found him guilty.

Also, I've been reading the blog and I want to reach through the computer screen and shake the writer. She sounds a bit ding-y and naive.

I'm glad they did too. A few years ago I randomly happened upon an episode of Lockup (? not sure if that's the name) about him/his case. He totally had the crazy eyes going. And was weirdly intense. I don't remember specifically if he had crazy eyes but his energy was...odd. Of course that in itself isn't completely unusual, our social circle includes a lot of creative people who aren't always polished with their social interactions. So I didn't really think much of it at the time. And we were completely shocked when we heard of his arrest (and later hers) because you just never consider something like this happening. Those poor victims and families. I'm relieved they are one step closer to justice, it's been a long time coming. 

And yeah, I haven't decided if the naivety is an attempt to be "unbiased" or what. 

Dec 19, 2015 12:21:33 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

I can't read this story because I know someone with the following exact same name. Not the same guy but that's who I picture when I see the name.

Ha, that would be weird. Sorry if I caused you concern for a moment. 

[goaskalice]

My OC circle is so thankful he was swiftly found guilty by the jury. Hard to believe it took 5 years to get to trial though. That's a travesty. Julie graduated 2 years after I did from OCHSA. While I didn't know her many of my friends did. I hope he gets the death penalty.

[tiramisu]

Dec 19, 2015 18:48:29 GMT -5 elleblue said:

Dec 19, 2015 11:02:05 GMT -5 tiramisu said:

This case is crazy. I remember my parents telling me about it because they're local to it too. The idea of something like this happening where it did is still so difficult to grasp. I'm glad they found him guilty.

Also, I've been reading the blog and I want to reach through the computer screen and shake the writer. She sounds a bit ding-y and naive.

I'm glad they did too. A few years ago I randomly happened upon an episode of Lockup (? not sure if that's the name) about him/his case. He totally had the crazy eyes going. And was weirdly intense. I don't remember specifically if he had crazy eyes but his energy was...odd. Of course that in itself isn't completely unusual, our social circle includes a lot of creative people who aren't always polished with their social interactions. So I didn't really think much of it at the time. And we were completely shocked when we heard of his arrest (and later hers) because you just never consider something like this happening. Those poor victims and families. I'm relieved they are one step closer to justice, it's been a long time coming. 

And yeah, I haven't decided if the naivety is an attempt to be "unbiased" or what. 

Dec 19, 2015 12:21:33 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

I can't read this story because I know someone with the following exact same name. Not the same guy but that's who I picture when I see the name.

Ha, that would be weird. Sorry if I caused you concern for a moment. 

I read her whole blog and I think she has an unacknowledged crush.  Even though she has a husband and kids.  I mean, there's something about her that's also strange.  As I told my mother today (when I told her about it), I knew a murderer.  When I found out he was arrested and he went to prison, I never reached out to him.  I'm also very into true crime stuff, like she says she is, but contacting a confessed murderer makes not a bit of sense.  She admits that she doesn't like the DA's office and there are times you can definitely see some of her bias coming from the information he's feeding her.  It seems pretty clear that he presents a slanted version of events to her to keep her hooked.  Someone should send her a copy of "The Sociopath Next Door."

[tiramisu]

I'm just realizing I might know some of you, or people in common with some of you. OCHSA used to be at my HS.

[elleblue]

Dec 19, 2015 19:11:02 GMT -5 tiramisu said:

I'm just realizing I might know some of you, or people in common with some of you. OCHSA used to be at my HS.

I'm sure we have friends/acquaintances in common. Too much cross over not to, right?

I only had a chance to read a couple entries of the blog, but she definitely needs to read The Sociopath Next Door (good book). I get wanting to believe in someone's innocence, especially when they're someone you knew, however slightly, before said horrific crime. But you can tell pretty quickly he's a fairly adept manipulator - that was quite apparent in the show I saw that interviewed him in prison. Interestingly, I think he's overconfident in his "acting" skills (another point in the sociopathy column) and that it was that overconfidence that ultimately was his undoing.

[tiramisu]

Dec 19, 2015 19:27:43 GMT -5 elleblue said:

Dec 19, 2015 19:11:02 GMT -5 tiramisu said:

I'm just realizing I might know some of you, or people in common with some of you. OCHSA used to be at my HS.

I'm sure we have friends/acquaintances in common. Too much cross over not to, right?

I only had a chance to read a couple entries of the blog, but she definitely needs to read The Sociopath Next Door (good book). I get wanting to believe in someone's innocence, especially when they're someone you knew, however slightly, before said horrific crime. But you can tell pretty quickly he's a fairly adept manipulator - that was quite apparent in the show I saw that interviewed him in prison. Interestingly, I think he's overconfident in his "acting" skills (another point in the sociopathy column) and that it was that overconfidence that ultimately was his undoing.

I agree, too much crossover.  So crazy.  With all that crossover you might be able to figure out the murderer I knew, although he wasn't at my HS when he got arrested, but in LB instead.  He was a year ahead of me.


I might have to look for that Lockdown episode.  I agree that his overconfidence was part of his undoing.  It also sounds like he folded pretty easily, which is interesting.  I need to keep reading The Sociopath Next Door, I haven't finished it yet and I recommended it to a client so I need to finish it first! 

[elleblue]

It was an Orange County Lockup episode but I can't get the video to work right atm.


mynewsla.com/orange-county/2014/12/23/former-lockup-producer-denies-o-c-jailers-helped-get-wozniak-interview/

And it looks like it was another reason his trial was delayed, his defense attorney claimed misconduct. link Also both the prosecutor and the defense had a bit of a back and forth in the press. link

[gpw]

Are there blog links? I'm also commenting so I can find this later.

[elleblue]

Dec 19, 2015 19:52:41 GMT -5 gpw said:

Are there blog links? I'm also commenting so I can find this later.

There's a blog link embedded in the first post, but I'll put it here too, so it's easy to find. link

[tiramisu]

His defense attorney doesn't sound like someone I'd like at all. Reading about him arguing for that asshole Dekraai. HS classmates lost friends in that shooting. Although I know I should still care if there was prosecutorial misconduct, and I do, but my gut reaction is to dislike the defense attorney.

[lexus]

Is the last post in June 8th? This is interesting and she definitely has a crush. I wonder how her husband feels about this friendship.

[tiramisu]

Last post is December 16th. Here's a link to it.

[elleblue]

Dec 19, 2015 20:18:39 GMT -5 lexus said:

Is the last post in June 8th? This is interesting and she definitely has a crush. I wonder how her husband feels about this friendship.

No, but she switches blog hosts/names at that point I think. You can find the continuing posts here (you may have to scroll to find the right date).

[elleblue]

tiramisu - did you see the first comment on this post? 

[lexus]

Dec 19, 2015 20:38:07 GMT -5 elleblue said:

tiramisu - did you see the first comment on this post? 

I know I'm not who you tagged but... Holy crap!

[elleblue]

Dec 19, 2015 22:13:23 GMT -5 lexus said:

Dec 19, 2015 20:38:07 GMT -5 elleblue said:

tiramisu - did you see the first comment on this post? 

I know I'm not who you tagged but... Holy crap!

I only tagged her because she said she had already read the blog and I wasn't sure if you were there yet. No spoilers! lol 

But yeah, this is a bit soap opera-esque. Does not feel like real life. 

[lexus]

Dec 19, 2015 22:15:48 GMT -5 elleblue said:

Dec 19, 2015 22:13:23 GMT -5 lexus said:

I know I'm not who you tagged but... Holy crap!

I only tagged her because she said she had already read the blog and I wasn't sure if you were there yet. No spoilers! lol 

But yeah, this is a bit soap opera-esque. Does not feel like real life. 

I just finished.

[elleblue]

Dec 19, 2015 22:16:56 GMT -5 lexus said:

Dec 19, 2015 22:15:48 GMT -5 elleblue said:

I only tagged her because she said she had already read the blog and I wasn't sure if you were there yet. No spoilers! lol 

But yeah, this is a bit soap opera-esque. Does not feel like real life. 

I just finished.

Ah, I'm not done yet. I'm torturing myself watching the debate. 

[rachers]

This is such a crazy story. I've spent the past hour reading all of those blog posts.

[elleblue]

Dec 19, 2015 22:19:03 GMT -5 rachers said:

This is such a crazy story. I've spent the past hour reading all of those blog posts.

The whole time I'm reading the posts I keep thinking - Truman Capote she is not. I mean, I realize it's just a blog, but she's not coming across as a talented writer. 

[rachers]

Dec 19, 2015 22:31:57 GMT -5 elleblue said:

Dec 19, 2015 22:19:03 GMT -5 rachers said:

This is such a crazy story. I've spent the past hour reading all of those blog posts.

The whole time I'm reading the posts I keep thinking - Truman Capote she is not. I mean, I realize it's just a blog, but she's not coming across as a talented writer. 

Oh not at all. I thought the exact same thing. She comes across as more fan-girl which is uncomfortable.

[elleblue]

Dec 19, 2015 22:34:09 GMT -5 rachers said:

Dec 19, 2015 22:31:57 GMT -5 elleblue said:

The whole time I'm reading the posts I keep thinking - Truman Capote she is not. I mean, I realize it's just a blog, but she's not coming across as a talented writer. 

Oh not at all. I thought the exact same thing. She comes across as more fan-girl which is uncomfortable.

It's so distracting! lol

[elleblue]

Dec 19, 2015 22:53:28 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

Dec 19, 2015 22:34:09 GMT -5 rachers said:

Oh not at all. I thought the exact same thing. She comes across as more fan-girl which is uncomfortable.

Yes. Such a fan-girl. I was just coming to post this exact thing. I am only a couple of posts in, but she is so annoying. Aww - let me go find some cute pics of myself. Oh look, he drew me a picture. Yuck.

So much fremdschämen. 

[goaskalice]

Dec 19, 2015 22:53:28 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

Dec 19, 2015 22:34:09 GMT -5 rachers said:

Oh not at all. I thought the exact same thing. She comes across as more fan-girl which is uncomfortable.

Yes. Such a fan-girl. I was just coming to post this exact thing. I am only a couple of posts in, but she is so annoying. Aww - let me go find some cute pics of myself. Oh look, he drew me a picture. Yuck.

Exactly, it's sickening how obsessed she is with him. Wanting him to think she's "hot." Disgusting. 

[tiramisu]

Dec 19, 2015 20:38:07 GMT -5 elleblue said:

tiramisu - did you see the first comment on this post? 

Yes. That's fucking nuts. That man does not sound mentally healthy, shall we say. Her response is so concerning too. There are so many uncomfortable comments. There's one who calls her out, whose perspective is right on, I think. And fangirl is the perfect way to describe her.

[elleblue]

Dec 20, 2015 0:37:07 GMT -5 tiramisu said:

Dec 19, 2015 20:38:07 GMT -5 elleblue said:

tiramisu - did you see the first comment on this post? 

Yes. That's fucking nuts. That man does not sound mentally healthy, shall we say. Her response is so concerning too. There are so many uncomfortable comments. There's one who calls her out, whose perspective is right on, I think. And fangirl is the perfect way to describe her.

 Reading more now and that commenter makes another appearance. Just as odd, if not more so... link 

[tiramisu]

Dec 20, 2015 0:51:06 GMT -5 elleblue said:

Dec 20, 2015 0:37:07 GMT -5 tiramisu said:

Yes. That's fucking nuts. That man does not sound mentally healthy, shall we say. Her response is so concerning too. There are so many uncomfortable comments. There's one who calls her out, whose perspective is right on, I think. And fangirl is the perfect way to describe her.

 Reading more now and that commenter makes another appearance. Just as odd, if not more so... link 

I agree. I think he's definitely not 100% stable. I have trouble believing what he says. The rambling reads like a thought disorder.