MOORPARK MAN SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR GIRLFRIEND’S DEATH IN HOTEL

Nearly six years after a tragic and violent encounter at a local hotel, the family of Sara Marie Goodwin finally has a measure of legal finality. On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Ventura County Superior Court Judge David Worley sentenced William Justin Koznar, 38, of Moorpark, to the maximum term of 11 years in state prison. 

The sentencing follows Koznar’s March 24 guilty plea to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter, ending a long and painful legal journey for the victim’s loved ones.

The case dates back to the morning of October 7, 2020. Moorpark police were initially dispatched to a local hotel after staff reported Koznar’s increasingly aggressive and belligerent behavior in the lobby. 

When officers arrived and contacted Koznar at the door of his room, where the couple had been living for approximately two weeks, the scene turned from a disturbance call to a major crime investigation.

Inside the room, officers discovered Sara Goodwin unconscious on the bed, suffering from significant trauma and bleeding. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency medical intervention, Sara tragically succumbed to her injuries.

During the investigation and subsequent court proceedings, the prosecution presented a mountain of evidence that left no doubt regarding Koznar’s culpability. Security footage from the hotel corridors, combined with Koznar’s own incriminating statements, proved that no one else had entered or exited the room during the window of time when the fatal injuries occurred.

In his plea agreement, Koznar did more than just admit to the manslaughter charge; he also admitted to several special allegations that carried significant weight at sentencing. 

These included the fact that the crime involved "great violence" and that Sara was a "particularly vulnerable" victim. Under California law, these enhancements allow judges to lean toward the "upper term" of sentencing, which in the case of voluntary manslaughter, is 11 years.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Amber Lee, a veteran of the Major Crimes Unit. For the DA’s office, securing a guilty plea rather than heading to a full jury trial was a strategic move aimed at protecting the victim's family.

“We hope this disposition provides the finality the family needs to move forward honoring the life of Ms. Goodwin, without the stress of continuing court appearances and the uncertainty of a jury trial,” Ms. Lee stated following the sentencing. 

By accepting the 11-year term, the prosecution avoided a "not guilty" risk while ensuring Koznar would serve a substantial period behind bars.

Following a sentencing like this, the defendant is typically transferred from the Ventura County Main Jail to a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) facility within a few weeks. Because voluntary manslaughter is classified as a "serious and violent" felony under California’s penal code, Koznar will likely be required to serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

The conclusion of this case has reignited a difficult conversation in the Moorpark community regarding the adequacy of sentencing in domestic violence deaths. While 11 years is the maximum allowed for a voluntary manslaughter charge, many feel that the "great violence" involved in Sara’s death warranted even more time. 

However, legal experts note that proving "implied malice" for a murder charge can be an uphill battle in a trial, often making a guaranteed 11-year manslaughter plea the most reliable way to ensure a violent offender stays off the streets.

For Sara's family, the courtroom victory is bittersweet. While Koznar is headed to state prison, the loss of a daughter, sister, and friend remains a permanent reality. 

The DA’s office hopes that by closing the books on Case No. 2020028980, the healing process can finally begin in earnest.