By Matt Ward
Emotions ran high in District Court on Monday as a judge again denied bail for a man jailed since August on charges of killing his daughter’s boyfriend.
It was the second time attorneys for Daniel Robbins have failed to sway Judge Kimberly Wanker, who initially denied bail for the suspect back in October.
Robbins is alleged to have shot and killed 21-year-old Chris Mundy during an early-morning confrontation in the front yard of the suspect’s home on Aug. 18. A 14-year-old boy with Mundy that morning was also shot. His injury was not life-threatening.
Robbins is facing a first-degree murder charge in Mundy’s death, among other felony charges.
Two Las Vegas attorneys representing Robbins argued two motions before the judge, one asking for charges against him to be dropped, the other asking that in the least bail be set in the amount of $100,000.
Dan Winder, who represented Robbins during the October hearing, argued Monday that police didn’t properly inform Robbins of his rights the night of his arrest. He also said that police didn’t charge Robbins correctly when they filed first-degree murder charges.
He described the events of that night for the court.
“The victim in this particular case had initiated some Facebook contacts with Mr. Robbins and the Robbins family and they had indicated to him that they did not want to be friends with him. They did not want contact with him,” he told the judge. “Then, at 1:30 in the morning someone arrives in their cul-de-sac. They don’t know who it is.
“Then there was some screaming. My client actually exited the house, attempting to protect his family, attempting to protect his property and actually attempting to protect himself. He sees the motor vehicle running, its lights in his face, he can’t see who’s in the vehicle. He can’t see if there are four or five teenagers, doesn’t know if there are any guns or knives, he does know that there is a 6,000 pound weapon pointed at him and his wife.”
Winder then described the shooting.
“He actually fires a warning shot, requesting that that vehicle leave his property, not knowing who’s there. Your honor, he goes over to the side of the vehicle to try to confront that person in an attempt to get that person to leave his property and that’s when the gun accidentally discharges, or we’re certain the gun is discharged in self-defense,” the attorney said.
Deputy District Attorney Wes White said the facts of the case point straight to a first-degree murder charge and that none of what Winder was presenting to the court differed in the slightest from arguments already made in the case, except for the charge that Robbins wasn’t properly mirandized.
White collapsed the Miranda argument by reading a transcript of Robbins’ post-arrest interviews with detectives where the suspect is clearly given his rights. Wanker also said she read the case file and saw an indication that police had actually already mirandized Robbins at the scene of the shooting.
Wanker would later deny Winder’s motion to drop the charges against Robbins.
Robbins’ second attorney, Arnold Weinstock, then argued that Robbins deserved bail in the case. The former gaming control officer with police training had no prior criminal history, after all, the attorney said.
“Under normal circumstances, your honor, this defendant should probably, based on his lack of criminal history, based upon his ties to the community, based upon his family, based upon his prior employment, he probably should have been released on a minimal bail. Probably in the neighborhood of $15,000 to $20,000, probably just to ensure his appearance,” the lawyer said. “What I would submit to the court is that this defendant should be released on $100,000 bail.”
If the bail wasn’t enough, Weinstock argued that the court could additionally confine Robbins to his home, thereby safeguarding himself and the community.
White argued again that what Weinstock was telling the court was nothing new and that the court made the right decision by denying bail earlier.
“I just think as the court said last time, probably the most important point, is he’s better off where he’s sitting right now for everyone’s safety. Why take a chance?” the prosecutor said.
Wanker later read a lengthy statement into the record justifying her ruling. She continually referred to Robbins volatility and the volatile nature of the case.
In a bit of a twist, she acknowledged that she was aware of recorded jail house comments made by Robbins that disparaged her — he used derogative terms for women to describe the judge in a conversation with his wife, including calling Wanker a whore.
“When I saw the comments, I actually kind of chuckled to myself,” the judge said during court.
Later, in her ruling, she said, “Mr. Robbins, please understand that as a District Court judge, criminal defendants are not going to like me and they are going to call me names. I am sure you are not the first, nor will you be the last to use those comments about me. Understand, it does not faze me; it will not affect how I rule in this case … I could really care less.”
Wanker said she was more disturbed by how Robbins responded when told his daughter, Jennifer, whose boyfriend he allegedly shot and killed, wanted to talk to him. In vulgar language, he said he wouldn’t speak to her.
When the judge adjourned the hearing, Robbins’ wife and two daughters shouted out as he was led back to jail.
“Daddy, I love you,” one daughter screamed.
“Danny, we love you,” his wife shouted.
“It was his fault!” another family member yelled.
“Trespassing!” shouted another.
Police officers and court bailiffs attempted to keep Mundy’s family and friends separate from the group there to support Robbins.
Robbins’ daughters, wife and friends all showed up to court wearing purple shirts, bows fashioned out of yellow ribbon pinned to them.
“Purple is his favorite color and yellow is for innocence, and he’s innocent,” his wife said.
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- Daniel Robbins
wait, wait a sec here….let me get this straight….
it was an accident…OR… we are certain that it was in self defense. also… he couldn’t see who it was but could tell they were teenagers? this guy is an idiot and so are his lawyers.
wanker finally did something right by keeping this guy in jail.
i will say this… i am curious as to why the sheriff’s deptarment felt they needed to give the judge a trasnscript of the things that robbins said about her if they didn’t involve any threats….. she says it doesn’t faze her but i doubt that very much. i haven’t met a woman yet that won’t get mad at being called a whore.
all that being said… robbins belongs right where he is.
Comment removed. No personal bashing.
PVT
I don’t see where the article states that the cops gave the judge transcripts of anything. Perhaps it is in a report that the prosecutor gave her or maybe there were other things that are not reported to the paper.
well lets see….
if the man was in jail and was using a jail phone and the phone was being recorded ( which the always do ) and the sheriff’s department is in carge of the recording then where else would she get the information?
Well lets see ….
Maybe from the prosecutor …
and again that would have been given to the prosecuter by the sheriff’s department…. and since it wasn’t a threat all i am asking is why it would have been given to the judge…. i am just curious thats all… i am 100% in areement that he should remain in jail i just question the fact that wanker says it didn’t faze her. thats all.
Perhaps the prosecutor asked for all jailhouse conversations, perhaps there is more to the conversations that is not reported.
However, we are in agreement on the judge’s decision of no bail / no or.
The accused and his family believe he was justified in blowing the brains out of guy. The prosecution believes he committed 1st degree murder based on the police investigation and crime scene evidence. It would irresponsible for the judge to release on bail someone accused of this crime. And let’s not forget that a 14 year old kid was injured in the same shooting.
Clearly the judge has problems…. She contradicts herself on several occasions. First she says the transcript of the conversations doesn’t bother her but then she rads part of it to court record to pollute the jury pool
Second she states on multiple occasions that she read the entire file but then states letter submitted with the most recent motion were the same ones as submitted earlier when in fact they were different, very different.
Third she comes to court with a typed response before arguments are even presented…. She is clearly biased or as a new judge trying to make points so she can get elected.
The DA said 15000 is not a lot of money…..so how much Wes make..really…..
The point that keeps getting lost is Mundy was trespassing and Robbins was protecting his property…..Mundy put himself in a bad position and now two families are suffering…..
15,000 may seem like a lot untill you realise that they would only have to come up with 1,500 to a bail bondsman. also use of deadly force is only acceptable when you are in fear for your life or that of someone else… NOT TRESPASSING!!! with his so called police training he would know this whitch makes this crime all the more heinous. all he had to do was to call the police and he would not be where he is now.
he decided he was going to show this young man who was boss. he decided to be the judge, jury and executioner. he says he fired a warning shot… then he walked over to the side of the car where the car was no longer a threat and shoth the boy in the neck. i do not belive he was afraid for his life at anytime….that is untill now.
Try again….The attorney requested 100,000 or 200,000 bail which would mean Robbins would have to come up with 15000 – 30000 cash. Do you need help with math skills….. Again Wes says not a lot of money – how much does he make?
no one said Robbins has police training… And when someone shows up at 130 am trespassing who knows what else is coming next. Who know what this kid had in the car…..and how brave to bring a 14 yr old with you……
i’ll try this again….
right there in the article it says ” the former gaming officer with police training”.
yes i misread the bail amont the lawyer asked for but it would be between 10 and 20 thousand not 15 to 30 as you suggest.
and just for the record regaurding the trespassing…
i happen to own several weapons ranging from shot guns and rifels to large and medium caliber hand guns and i am well trained to use them if need be… if someone is trespassing on my property i will call the police and let them handle it….once they decide to enter my home then that would be another story all together.
i have no police or law enforcement training and even i know that trespassing will never be a defense to using deadly force!
Guess again… lets try this again. In the state of Nevada the accused has to come up with 15% of bail amount so for a 100,000 bail,,, Robbins would need 15000. I know a good math tutor if you need.
Second, Robbins was a gaming control officer he did not have police training.
Third, when the wife called 911 they needed directions to find the house….. we would be having a totally different conversation if Mundy ran over Robbins and his wife as they waited for our fine sheriffs dept to try and find the house. There are two sides to every story and in the heat of the moment a decision had to be made – one that could have been avoided if Mundy just left when he was told to…..
I also heard that Mundy family did not use the funds the community raised for his funeral…they in fact got tattoos and the kids ashes are stuck in a closet….. Hope it’s not true but speaks volumes about character if it is……
What you heard is a lie. They do NOT have his ashes in the closet. What kind of cold-hearted person would even try to push that rumor. The money donated was used for the service and cremation. They did NOT use the money for their own personal use. The tattoo’s were all paid for by a close friend and with their own money. They do have jobs, and with other rumors floating around. The jewelry purchased to hold some of the ashes for the family and close friends of christopher were payed for by one of the close friend’s family.
First off, see it isnt nice when rumors and comments are being flown around about chris mundys friends and family, right. Everyone needs to remember that there are hurting family members STILL on both sides!
you see…there you go feeding the rumors…..
As a person that has been following this since the beginning, (and I dont mean when the court started, or that fatal morning), There is so much hurt going around, so much people not involved in the case that are involving themselves in a vandetta that is not neccesary. Two families are hurting, and people who didnt care about either side before this, think that it is their civil duty to mingle in others lives, cause theirs isn’t so much better.
Please let both sides mend and heal.
With that said, the judge did have a planned out statement, and for the ones that were watching, she read word for word from about 5 or so, pages of papers for her closing statement. So how is that coming into a hearing with an open, unbias mind that a judge is suppose to have? And she made the fact of bringing up a conversation between a husband and wife ( no threatening comments made to anyone) being brought into the court. And Im sorry, saying it didnt faze her? When she read that in, you can hear the anger in her voice. And I dont know what person would be hurt by comments about them.
She also made the comment of, she didnt think that he could handle the everyday stress that we all face. I’m sorry? Have you seen some of these people on the roads driving? in the stores? In parking lots? I have seen some people in the court room sitting in there judging him, and the things they yell at a 15 yr old teenage girl, Im sure with those comments, they should be locked up!
This is an unsettling case, people are saying that Daniel, is an adult and didnt act like one….. Chris was an adult who bought the young teenager at 1:30 AM to a already hot situation. Yet because Daniel is here, he should be punished for the WHOLE situation? Hmmmm?
he was not in fear for his life, his family was not in iminate danger which are thr recquesits for using deadly force.
i have said this befor and i will say it again… trespassing is not a reason to use deadly force.
he says he has police training… if this is true he would know this. what he is… or was on that night was an angry man with a gun and an ego and out of control.
comment edited. This case is in court and he will not be tried here.
PVT
Guess again- you should probably stop guessing – how do you know how Robbins and his wife felt that night – there was a 6000 pound weapon called a vehicle pointed at them – you have no idea if they were in danger. People are killed every day by vehicles – this car was on, the lights were in their eyes – you have no no idea how they felt or what danger they were in….
when they went ouside of their house where they were safe with a gun in hand they became the agressor….oh and by the way…. i needed a bail bondsman awhile back and it cost me 10%. you are obviously a robbins supporter so no matter what anyone including the law says will make you think any different….and you think you are being funny by trying to make fun of me…. well it aint working….. the artical above says he has had ploice training…. he himself has bragged about having police training…i have heard it with my own two ears so unless the press has it wrong and robbins was lieing then he has had police training.
“because Daniel is here, he should be punished for the WHOLE situation? Hmmmm?”
Daniel is the one who fired the gun and KILLED someone. So yea, I guess so.
comment removed. The case is up to a court.
PVT
Shame that his family is wasting all this money on these lawyers, seeing as he is never going to get out
I agree 100%. I’m also wondering why no one else is saying anything about the fact that this girl whom we thought was very much in love with Mundy, got married close to two weeks ago live on the Morning Blend. Sounds to me like we have a strange situation brewing. Do some researching people. The web of lies is falling apart.
My concern is the right to s fair trial for all Americans, Judge states she’s impartial then did in fact read inflamitory comments about herself to open court, in effect getting the words out to the general public. Also using facebook comments stating defendants dislike and implisant instructions not to come to his home as reason to deny bail and ignore his 45 years of no violent behaviour and complete lack of a criminal record. I’m also dismayed that a 21 year old man chose to go, in the middle of the night where he had specifically been told he wasn’t welcome and brought a 14 year old child with him. Why have we stopped holding ourselves repsonsible for our own actions, terrible things happen when we use bad judgement, we then demand that others take care of us, look after us, sue them, it’s just crazy.
Comment removed. We got your point the first time.
PVT
WOW,I agree it would have been very irresponsible for the Judge to have let this man ,Daniel Robbins out on Bail. I mean come on this man Killed someone and let’s notforget he injured a 14 yr old boy as well. That Family will never have their son back to talk to or even to hug and say I Love You , as for the 14 year old boy I’m sure he will be having problem not only physcially but mentally as wll for the rest of his life ,it will be something that he will never be able to forget,people keep saying there are 2 family’s going through alot here but ,looks to me like 3.The only differents is even though mr. Robbins is in Jail where he should be his family can still talk and see him. They keep saying how they were scared because it was dark and didn’t know who it was outside their house,but yet they go out there anyway.If your so scared wouldn’t you saty inside and call the police. I sure someone had to have a phone. You CAN’T just go outside and shot someone on your own,That’s taking matters into your own hands, trying to show your a big man, We have Police to take care of matters of WHAT EVERYONE is Calling TRESPASSING, which does not mean you Kill someone. The Judge is right aparently Mr. Robbins has an anger issue. I agree,paper says his lawyers wanted him to have a 100,000 dollar bail,UMMMM that would only be 15,000 dollars down, there is no amount of money that would bring that young kid back or change what this younger boy saw.Let’s start using our brains, and use our law enforcement who are trained, and not take issuses into our own hands, If only Mr.Robbins himself or his Wife would have called the police things would probably be alot differnet right now, NO ONE would have Been KILLED, INJURED or in JAIL !
there was most definitely a phone, Kathie (Robbins wife) is always on her cell phone. And Im so sick of seeing the Robbins family talk trash about Mundy on facebook, it’s really disgusting to demean someone who was killed
I agree people do need to stop that young man is gone, and people have to be so cold – hearted and stupid to talk about someone who can’t even defend for himself anymore. I MEAN GET REAL people. All of this could have been avoided, and that’s the bottom line .WOW I did see that post that she got married, guess that wasn’t love after All