Moorpark Man Gets 11-Year Sentence for Girlfriend’s Death in Hotel
Moorpark Man Sentenced to 11 Years for Girlfriend’s Death
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – William Justin Koznar has been sentenced to 11 years in state prison for the 2020 death of his girlfriend, Sara Marie Goodwin, at a hotel in Moorpark. Koznar pleaded guilty to felony voluntary manslaughter, acknowledging the crime involved significant violence against a particularly vulnerable victim.
On October 7, 2020, police responded to a hotel after reports of Koznar’s erratic behavior in the lobby. Upon arrival, officers discovered Goodwin unconscious and bleeding on the bed. She was subsequently transported to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Authorities revealed that the couple had been staying at the hotel for at least two weeks prior to the incident.
Koznar entered his guilty plea on March 24, 2026, admitting to special allegations regarding the violence involved in the act.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Amber Lee, who prosecuted the case, expressed hope that the conclusion of the legal proceedings would provide some closure to Goodwin’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,” she stated.
