William Koznar accepts plea agreement and admits to voluntary manslaughter of girlfriend

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – William Justin Koznar of Moorpark pled guilty to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter in connection with the 2020 death of Sara Marie Goodwin.

Koznar changed his plea on March 24 of this year as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors where he agreed to serve an eleven year sentenced in state prison and admitted to the special allegation that the crime involved great violence and that Goodwin was particularly vulnerable detailed the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

"As with any active criminal case, we continued to conduct further investigation and analysis
throughout the life of the case," shared Major Crimes Supervising Prosecutor Tom Dunlevy. "In this
case, that follow up identified proof difficulties with the murder charge. In consultation with the
victim's family, we sought a resolution that would ensure a conviction and a substantial prison
sentence while providing finality of judgment and some measure of closure to the victim's family."

On Oct. 7, 2020, police were dispatched to a Moorpark hotel after Koznar's behavior in the lobby stated the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

Officers made contact with Koznar in the room where he and Goodwin had been staying for about two weeks and when they entered the room, they found Goodwin unconscious and bleeding on the bed explained the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

She was transported to the hospital for medical care before she died from her injuries shared the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

According to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, security footage and Koznar's own statements confirmed that no one else entered the room.

Koznar is currently scheduled to be sentenced on May 5 of this year and he remains in custody on a $1 million bail added the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.