Davis deadly stabbings retrial: Carlos Dominguez convicted of involuntary manslaughter, not guilty of murder
WOODLAND, Calif. —
Jurors on Tuesday found the man behind a deadly 2023 Davis stabbing spree guilty of involuntary manslaughter but not guilty of murder or attempted murder.
Carlos Reales Dominguez killed two men and seriously injured a woman in a nearly week-long spree before his capture. He faced second-degree murder, attempted murder and involuntary manslaughter charges.
Jurors determined Dominguez was not guilty of second-degree murder, but they convicted him on two counts of involuntary manslaughter, with weapons enhancements, for the men. They also found him not guilty of attempted murder for the woman who survived.
“This entire city was on lockdown. Everybody was in fear,” said Michael, a neighbor who lives near Sycamore Park, the site of one of the attacks.
Michael, who witnessed the events unfold from his front door, expressed disappointment with the verdict, saying he felt it was too lenient.
“I’m a little shocked. I thought there would be more done here in terms of justice. I understand the mental stability behind it, but this rocked the community,” he said.
“My heart goes out to the family still. They’re out here every day, every week, remembering their son, their friend, and their brother. Our hearts are with them,” Michael said.
Both the defense and prosecution never denied that Dominguez committed the stabbings.
At issue was the former UC Davis student’s mental state at the time.
Throughout the retrial, prosecutors have argued that heavy cannabis use worsened Dominguez’s schizophrenia, but the defense has criticized that argument and stated that his untreated mental illness led him to undergo his first psychosis when he carried out the attacks.
A mistrial was declared in 2025 after jurors declared him not guilty for first-degree murder, but were split on his other charges.
Because Dominguez can no longer be tried for first-degree murder, prosecutors sought second-degree murder. Meanwhile, the defense advocated for jurors to instead convict him of involuntary manslaughter, explaining that a murder conviction requires malice and premeditation.
“It felt like yesterday in a sense. I live across the street when all this happened. It’s a little disappointing there isn’t a resolution yet to be honest,” Michael said.
Because the second phase of the trial is to determine his sanity, jurors will return to the courtroom at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday for those proceedings.
Davis stabbings victims
The two men killed were “Compassion Guy” David Breaux and UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm. Kimberlee Guillory survived being stabbed.
Davis police chief reacts
David Police Chief Todd Henry released the following statement:
“First and foremost, our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of David Breaux and Karim Abou Najm, whose lives were tragically taken, and with Kimberlee Guillory, who survived a horrific attack. No verdict can undo the tremendous loss, pain, and trauma they have endured. We continue to hold them in our thoughts and recognize the strength they have demonstrated throughout this long and difficult process.
The events of April and May 2023 had an extraordinary impact on Davis. Our community experienced fear and uncertainty in a way that we had rarely encountered before. At the same time, we witnessed the strength of Davis, the willingness of neighbors to look out for one another, community members coming forward with information, and people throughout our City supporting those who were grieving and afraid.
I am deeply grateful to the members of the Davis Police Department who responded to these crimes and worked tirelessly throughout the investigation. This was an exceptionally demanding case that required an extraordinary commitment from our officers, detectives, dispatchers, professional staff, and our law enforcement partners. Their professionalism, perseverance, and dedication to the safety of this community were evident from the first response through the conclusion of this phase of the judicial process.
I also want to recognize the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office for its extensive work in prosecuting this difficult and complex case. We appreciate the partnership, preparation, and commitment of the prosecutors and staff who carried this case through two lengthy trials.
Finally, I want to thank the members of the jury for fulfilling an essential civic responsibility. They were asked to carefully consider weeks of difficult testimony and evidence and to reach decisions based on the law and the facts presented in court. As the trial is now moving into the second phase, we feel it is important to let the judicial process continue without further comment.”
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