Darren Mack

Case record: Darren Mack

Parties and identities

Darren Mack (born January 31, 1961) became the subject of an international manhunt in June 2006 after being charged with the stabbing death of his 39-year-old estranged wife, Charla Mack, in the garage of their Reno, Nevada home.

Mack was also suspected of, and later charged with, the sniper shooting of Family Court Judge Chuck Weller, who was handling the couple’s acrimonious divorce.

Background

Mack grew up in northern Nevada and graduated from Reno High School. He attended the University of Nevada on a baseball scholarship.

Mack had been involved in the family-owned Palace Jewelry and Loan pawn shop since the age of seven, and at the time of his arrest was a part-owner and eBay merchant.

In 2003 his income was estimated at $500,000 annually, and his net worth at $9.4 million.

According to his brother Landon, Mack was active politically and founded the Nevada Pawnbroker Association.

Marriages and divorce

From 1986 to 1991, Mack had been married to Debra Ashlock. The couple had a son and daughter. This was described as Mack’s second marriage.

He and Charla were married on May 13, 1995. Charla filed for divorce on February 7, 2005. The couple had a 7-year-old daughter.

Charla warned a family friend: "He's out to get me and someday he will probably kill me."

Charla filed for divorce in 2005. Mack ignored Weller's order to pay her $10,000 a month in temporary alimony. Weller found him in contempt of court, and Mack filed for bankruptcy to avoid paying.

In addition to child support capped by state law at $849 per month, Darren Mack was ordered to pay $10,000 per month for spousal support plus household expenses.

Mack's gross monthly income was approximately $44,000 (528,000/yr), while his wife had no income.

The wrongful-death settlement later awarded $560 million to the couple's young daughter, Erika, with the remainder to go to his wife's estate.

The offences

Stabbing death of Charla Mack

Charla Mack was murdered after 9:00 a.m. on June 12, 2006, in the garage of their Reno, Nevada home.

At the time of the homicide, police said Mack evaded law enforcement for 10 days.

In court-related description of the evidence presented later, the pathologist who conducted the autopsy said Charla Mack died from at least seven different stab wounds, including one to the neck near her collarbone.

A note was found that police believed to be "a chilling step-by-step guide for the day's bloody events," which the media dubbed "Darren's to-do list." Police also found a rental contract for a silver Ford Explorer, and the list contained the phrase "parking garage if yes."

Police found evidence in the garage area after the shooting response and searched his condo, including the note and other incriminating evidence.

Shooting of Judge Chuck Weller

Judge Chuck Weller was shot around 11:05 a.m. on June 12, 2006, during a sniper-style shooting from approximately 170 yards away.

Bystanders in downtown Reno heard a loud bang echo off buildings shortly after 11 a.m., and police shut down the city while SWAT teams searched for what they believed was a sniper.

Judge Weller had been shot through a window at the Washoe County courthouse and later spent time recovering, returning to his courtroom on August 16.

Judge Weller later testified and recounted what he experienced. He said:

"And there was this very loud noise, and I had a glimpse of the window. It had a hole in it. I had this burning sensation right here. I thought maybe my cell phone has exploded in my shirt pocket. Then I realized I didn't not have a cell phone in my shirt pocket. And I was trying to figure out what had happened, and it occurred to me that I had just been shot through the window"

Investigation and manhunt

Mack evaded police for 10 days. During that period he was featured on the Fox show America’s Most Wanted and the FBI’s Most Wanted website.

The FBI added Darren Mack to its list of "Most Wanted" fugitives on June 21, 2006. FBI Director Robert S. Mueller said:

"Mack should be considered "armed and dangerous.""

Reno attorney Scott Freeman said he had been retained by Darren Mack's family to represent Mack "when and if he is found." Freeman said he was cooperating with investigators but had not heard from Mack or anyone who knew him since he disappeared.

Weapons and materials reported by police

Mack was described as a hunter and sportsman. Records showed he owned a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun and a Bushmaster .223 semi-automatic rifle.

Police said he possessed a federal firearms license and permit to carry a concealed weapon.

A search of his apartment found ammunition and bomb materials.

Surrender in Mexico

Mack surrendered to Mexican authorities after they surrounded him at a resort's pool in Puerto Vallarta on June 22, 2006.

The following day he was flown to Dallas, Texas for booking, and returned to Reno.

Authorities located Mack’s rented silver Ford Explorer in Ensenada.

An FBI agent described Mack’s question about cash during surrender negotiations. FBI agent Stephen Kling said:

"He told me that he had $37,500 in cash inside his suitcase, and he asked me who was going to remain with that suitcase during that evening?"

Prosecutor Robert Daskas asked about the impression the defendant was concerned about the money.

Trial

Defence and prosecution

Mack was initially defended by attorneys Scott Freeman of Reno and David Chesnoff of Las Vegas.

The Washoe County District Attorney recused his office from the case because of a longstanding personal relationship with Darren Mack and because of a concern he could be a witness.

Chief Deputy DA Robert Daskas and Assistant DA Christopher Lalli of the Clark County District Attorney’s office handled the prosecution.

A preliminary hearing on August 30, 2006 held Mack over for trial.

At arraignment on September 13, 2006, Mack pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A defense request sought a court-ordered mental competency evaluation.

Prosecutors announced they would not seek the death penalty on September 11.

Mack’s trial was set for October 1, 2007.

As of October 4, 2006, attorney Scott Freeman tried to get Mack's attempted murder charge dropped.

On October 13, Senior Judge J. Charles Thompson disqualified the entire Washoe County bench from all civil cases against Mack.

The trial was moved to Las Vegas, and Clark County District Judge Douglas Herndon was appointed to the case.

Plea and admissions

On November 5, 2007, Mack pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and entered an Alford plea on the attempted murder charge as the trial was about to begin.

In the plea, Mack said:

"I do understand right now in my state of mind that shooting at the judiciary is not a proper form of political redress"

Mack attempted to withdraw his pleas, saying he was coerced by Chesnoff and Freeman and that his signature was forged.

Judge Douglas Herndon denied Mack's motion to withdraw, filed by his new defense attorney William Routsis.

Sentencing hearing proceedings and arguments

During sentencing, Routsis continued to renew requests for Herndon to grant Mack a new trial.

Mack testified during sentencing. He said:

"The way I put it -- and I don't mean it too sarcastically -- but if you really buy that I did that voluntarily, I got a great bridge to sell you,"

Mack argued he did not voluntarily enter the plea deal that brought him to sentencing.

Mack also said:

"I told him flat out -- what it was about for me is that you stole my choice by what you broke me down into. It wasn't my choice. You guys pushed me so hard and when Freeman turned on that last weekend, it broke my will,"

Mack claimed he had been pressured into taking a plea deal and that "the judge hoped he'd hear: "I'm sorry.""

Routsis said he would take the case to the Nevada Supreme Court, which denied his motion seeking to block sentencing and allow Mack to withdraw his pleas.

During cross-examination in a hearing on allowing a new trial, Special Prosecutor Christopher Lalli asked a question about seeing Charla’s attorney Shawn Meador, and Mack responded by denying intent claims while also admitting certain conduct.

In addition, former Mack defense attorney David Chesnoff said Mack wanted to plead guilty, understood what he was doing, and was told he could change his mind any time before accepting it in court.

On the record before opening arguments, Judge Douglas Herndon asked Mack whether he understood self-defense was not what his attorneys felt he should use.

Judge Weller later discussed the critical blogs, including his testimony about a conversation with a group head.

Judge Weller testified that someone provided a name he provided to detectives as "Darrell Mack," but that he was thinking of Darren.

Sentencing

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Herndon sentenced Mack to life in prison for murdering his wife.

Herndon also gave Mack the maximum sentence of 40 years, with parole eligibility after 16 years, for the attempted murder of Judge Weller and a deadly weapon enhancement.

The sentences ran consecutively, rendering Mack ineligible for parole for at least 36 years.

Herndon cited the heinous nature of the crimes and Mack's lack of remorse.

Herndon said:

"The truth is Mr. Mack is guilty of these crimes, but he doesn't want to hear anything about that,"

A separate account described sentencing in which Darren Mack was described as pleading guilty in November to murder in the June 2006 stabbing death of his wife, Charla, and the equivalent of no contest to attempted murder in the same-day sniper-style shooting of Family Court Judge Chuck Weller.

It also described Weller as shot through a window at the Washoe County courthouse and recovering from his wounds.

Another account described Mack as 46 years old at sentencing.

A later account stated the minimum term was 36 years.

Appeals

In an updated segment of 48 Hours Mystery on August 8, 2009, CBS reported Mack continued to appeal his conviction on grounds that he pled guilty under duress and also appealed the $590 million civil judgment.

Judge Weller filed a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

Mack's appeal based on the argument that the judge should have allowed him to withdraw his guilty plea was heard by the Nevada Supreme Court in 2010 and denied.

In February 2012 Mack raised the issue again in a petition filed in United States District Court, claiming he had no money left.

Outcome

On November 5, 2007, Mack entered guilty pleas and an Alford plea.

On February 7, 2008, he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 36 years, after which he would not be eligible for parole for at least 36 years due to consecutive sentences.

On March 18, 2008, a Washoe County jury delivered a $590 million settlement against Mack in the wrongful-death lawsuit of his wife, Charla. $560 million was awarded to the couple's young daughter, Erika, with the remainder to go to his wife's estate.

Aftermath and related media coverage

CBS featured Mack's crimes in a 48 Hours Mystery story entitled, "The Darren Mack Case" on February 24, 2007.

On April 24, 2012, Investigation Discovery featured a story on the crime and a re-enactment on their show Deadly Sins.

Judge Weller returned to his courtroom on August 16.

Other details

Mack’s international manhunt was tied to the FBI’s Most Wanted website.

Mack’s son and his mother testified at his sentencing.

A family member, Soorya Townley, made statements in connection with sentencing. She described losing her daughter and said:

"I was one of those lucky mothers to be best friends with my daughter," She also said: "All I can see in my mind is how my daughter was slaughtered like an animal -- she was slaughtered like an animal -- and she was the mother of his children." And: "Charla believed ... she could even tame Darren's rage" and get him involved,"

Townley used the word "sociopath" when describing Mack.

A prominent attorney, Gloria Allred, represented Judge Chuck Weller and made a statement attributed to Weller:

"I am proud to be a judge and I'm proud to be a part of a legal system that gives every accused the right to a fair trial. I am very glad that this dark night is over -- or at least that a portion of this dark night is over. I want to thank everybody who, by their actions and their prayers, supported me and my wife and my children,"

Defence attorney William Routsis argued Mack’s pleas were coerced and that Mack’s signature was forged.

Mack’s defence included claims of self-defense for the killing of Charla Mack and insanity for the attempted murder of Judge Weller, including statements made by defence counsel David Chesnoff and Scott Freeman.

Prosecution counsel Christopher Lalli said:

"A very sad chapter in the history of this community has come to an end,"