I knew the 20/20 producer was only kidding around when she brought up the idea that I might interview Daniel myself. P20 – I do apologize if I caused you any problems when I mentioned this last week.
It’s a silly idea, right? I’m a blogger, not a TV show.
But once that little seed was planted in my mind, I started thinking, “Well what’s the harm of looking into this?” It might be the only chance to get Daniel on camera since I knew he hadn’t wanted to be interviewed by Dateline or 20/20.
This would be different. I’m his friend. It would be more like one of our regular conversations.
I started coming up with reasons in my head why this was a good idea:
- I could promise Daniel I wouldn’t make the interview public until after everyone involved in the case had gone to trial.
- I really wanted him to have an opportunity to speak to Sam’s and Julie’s families. That would only be for them to see (if they wanted), not made public (unless they wanted).
- Since I’m not a journalist, I could share the questions with Daniel in advance and create additional questions at his suggestion… though I would not let him take out any questions.
- Daniel would have the opportunity to talk in great detail about the Orange County informant scandal.
- I could use the interview to gain publicity for my writing.
- The experience would make a great story.
How Do You Interview Someone In Jail?
However, I had absolutely no idea how a person might go about doing an on-camera interview with a jail inmate, but I knew I walking in with my iPhone and filming Daniel through the glass wasn’t going to fly. And I figured I should probably check with him to see if he’d even be willing to consider the idea before I expended too much energy thinking about the details.
Getting Permission To Interview Daniel Wozniak
I decided to broach the subject during one of our visits… Often when I tell Daniel “I want to talk (to him) about something,” he responds with an amused, “Uh oh.” Usually it’s unwarranted. But not this time…
“Hey. One of the producers said something that got me thinking…”
“OK?”
“Maybe you should just let me interview you.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, I could get a camera and figure out the logistics and I would interview you myself.”
“You? Interview me? On camera? Like a news correspondent?” Daniel burst into laughter.
“It’s not a totally crazy idea.” I was also laughing because it was a totally crazy idea.
“And what would you do with this interview?”
“Well… umm… I don’t know. I could put excerpts on the blog’s Facebook page. Maybe I’ll do a documentary about all of this someday. Ooh, I could use it as part of a multi-media presentation related to my one-woman show…”
“So, you’re actually serious about this?”
“Yup,” I said, grinning at him.
“This is probably not a good idea.”
“No, of course not. But…”
I explained that I wouldn’t make anything public until after all the trials were finished and how this would be a great opportunity to talk about the Orange County informant scandal.
Also, it wasn’t like he was going to say anything to me that couldn’t be overheard by the Orange County Sheriff’s deputies anyway, and I would promise that when the interview was made public, I would air the entire thing. No edits.
And most important: I’m his friend.
When Daniel told me to go ahead and look into it, I took that as a yes.
The Process and the Price
I did a little research and found out that I needed to contact the Public Information Officer for the Orange County Jail. I sent him an email explaining the situation and asking what I should do next.
I found out that before anything could happen, I had to go to the jail and have Daniel sign a form granting me permission to interview him.
It was a “non-visiting” day when I made the trip to the jail’s visitor area. I wasn’t used to the place being so empty.
This reception area is also used for people to claim the property of loved ones who have been recently incarcerated. On that day it was just the “property people” and one lawyer waiting to see her client.
I got in the regular check-in line behind no one and waited for an extra-long time for someone to notice I was standing there. I was told to come to window one and was greeted by one of the deputies. I recognized her from previous visits. She’s friendly. I explained about the form I needed to fill out.
She was rightfully confused and pointed out that I’d never identified myself as the media before.
“We know you. You’re his friend.”
I agreed with her and explained a little about the interview idea. She talked to another deputy and he got me a form to fill out. He took that form to Daniel. Within about 30 minutes he came back to tell me Daniel had signed the form and it would be forwarded to the PIO (Public Information Officer).
I left the jail feeling pretty good about myself. I was going to get the only on-camera interview with Daniel Wozniak.
I felt like I’d won something. I’ll be honest with you guys; my contact with the TV producers had skewed my way of thinking a little. It’s their jobs to care about ratings and landing interviews.
I’m just writing a blog about being friends with a person who did some terrible things. And I guess I want people to understand how I don’t define my friend by his actions.
My reasons for wanting to interview Daniel turned out to be a moot point anyway, because I couldn’t afford to actually do it.
It’s REALLY expensive to film someone at the Orange County Jail. It would have cost me thousands of dollars just setting up all the necessary insurance policies and paying the salaries of all the deputies who would be involved in the filming. Obviously it is a lot easier for the TV shows to pull this stuff off.
I know that I could make back the money I spent if I was willing to sell Daniel’s interview to one of those shows, but that negates the whole reason for having me do it in the first place. So, it wasn’t going to happen. Not now anyway. But Daniel trusted me and when it comes to the two of us being friends, that is what’s most important.
I have a question for you.
I understand when an opportunity presents itself it’s best to jump on it. However morally – how are you okay with yourself after trying to make a name/buck off of two absolutely horrible deaths? One of them being my friend Julie. Obviously the interview didn’t happen, or just hasn’t happened yet.
As I stated in the post, I didn’t do the interview because it was too costly and I was not willing to sell the interview. I don’t use my name and have not made a cent. I am very sorry for the loss of your friend.
Today Friday July 15th. I stopped by the second floor of the Central Courthouse where Rachel Buffet had her hearing. It was a little after 8:30AM. I poked my head around the corner to look down the west wing of the second floor and I saw Mr. Herr (Sam’s dad) waiting outside. Rachel’s and Tim’s case will bring out a lot more circumstances out in the open, where as Daniel’s case was pinched off by a confession. Rachel’s case was continued out to November. For me, it will be a more intriguing case to follow. It will be more revealing and less intense.
Thank you so much for the information. Was a specific date set?
Yes. Rachel Mae Buffett’s case 12CM3397 was continued out to November 10, 2016. Anyone can look up her case on OCCOURTS.org under Criminal & Traffic on any personal computer at home.
I am aware of website and thank you for sharing it with the readers.
How is it that you are friends with him, and how can you continue with your friendship knowing what he did to others? I can sort of understand if you are family, but apparently you aren’t. Also, I suspect that once people know that you continue your friendship with him many would treat you with distdain…Is how people are treating you?
I think I answer many of your questions throughout the blog, and I hope you’ll continue to read it. Oh and nope – no disdain. Not even a tiny bit.
You have blocked me from your blog and your FB page because of my support for the victims. However, you have also blocked my helpful information, so I suspect you will not post this latest comment from me. As I have posted on my FB page and as posted on the OCDA’s webpage, you can get court information here, http://orangecountyda.org/media/newscase.asp. You need to click the link each day you want updated information because the “blobload” file name changes with each update.
There was absolutely nothing in your comment that couldn’t be posted. Thank you for sharing that information with the readers. Also, your “support for the victims” was never the cause of you being blocked.
You also fail to post any comment where I support the death penalty. Daniel Wozniak is the perfect example of a murderer who deserves the death penalty. His actions were cold and brutal, he targeted innocent people, he was motivated by money only, he used a semi-automatic pistol, he lured *both* of his victims, he used the compassion of his victims against each of them, he used multiple accomplices, and he is the epitome of “heinous” murderer.
Lauren I’m terribly sorry that I didn’t properly emphasize your support of the death penalty. Hopefully your statement here will assure any readers who doubted your enthusiasm. Thank you for comment.
I never asked you to “properly emphasize [my] support.” What a bizarre comment for you to make. I said, you never posted any of my several comments where I do support the death penalty or where I say Daniel Wozniak is guilty.
U repeatedly have said u could gain recognition for ur writing which equals make money that is what cs is referring to. Make a documentary write a book that equals make money on other peoples tragic stories. I agree with cs, morally I dont know how u can do it, I couldn’t capitalize off of people i didn’t even knows deaths… Anyhow was looking for an email from u regarding the comment by a fake Debbie do…. ???
I did email you actually. I used the email attached to this comment. I’ll send it again. :)
By the way, didn’t you say you were going to write a book as well? I remember that from one of your comments.
Sycophant- a self-seeking, servile flatterer; a fawning parasite. (From dictionary.com)
Murderer musings, are you a sycophant in regards to Wozniak?
It is edifying to examine one’s conscience. God cannot be fooled.
I ask Wozniak, as a practicing Catholic, to go to confession. Pray the Rosary. Please fully turn to God through the sacraments. Eternity is a long time. I would like Daniel to have “Come to Me in the Blessed Sacrament” book, and “Loving Jesus With the Heart of Mary” book. These two books were read daily by Mother Teresa. Murderer Musings, good friends have concern for their friends’ souls. Can you please buy these books off amazon and give them to him?
After Daniel is sentenced and can recieve books, I will send them to him (unless he already has them).
I don’t fawn or flatter when it comes to Daniel Wozniak. I fawn over my kids, but I’m guessing that’s not what you meant. I wanted to give you an honest answer, and I asked people who know me if I could be considered “self-seeking,” and the answer was always a resounding “no.”
One person even said “pffttt.”
Thank you reading the blog and for caring about Daniel’s soul.
You forgot , ” judge not , that ye be not judged “
I can’t figure out how he got Sam’s PIN number to access the bank machine. haven’t seen that in any reports.
A good question that wasn’t answered in court.
I think I know how it happened. I suspect that Sam gave his PIN number freely to someone he thought he could trust.
I suspect he had a gun to his head.
Would an audio only interview be cheaper?
Guess it’s too late now anyway since he’s in San Quentin.
I believe you when you say you weren’t trying to make a buck and it name for yourself, but the first thing that comes to mind when I see those complaints is, if you were trying to make a name or buck for yourself by writing about this case, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Daniel reminds me a lot of Thomas Bartlett Whitaker.
I am writing a book, and I do want people to read it. I’m not the only one either. I don’t envision it leading to fame and fortune. I’m not much for fame. Like anyone, I wouldn’t be cranky about fortune.
I think it’s interesting when people see Daniel’s case on TV, but don’t complain about how Dateline, 20/20, and 48 Hours have all made money off of this crime. What makes me different from all of them? Every one of those shows tried desperately to interview Daniel. They all wanted to put him on TV. But he will only talk to me because I am his friend and he trusts me.
I think I saw a 20/20 episode about Thomas Bartlett Whitaker. I just Googled him and it looks like he writes from death row in Texas. Interesting.
I was thinking the same thing. Its laughable when people accuse you of the same thing and yet watch 20/20 and read about other crimes. I’ve just recently heard of this case and spent the last few days reading and enjoying your blog. I use to read lots of true crime stories and I understand why you befriended Daniel. I would always wonder what made them tick. Try to understand the why.
I feel for Julie Kibuishi and the family members of both the murder victims, as well as Daniel’s family and friends.
However, I do have some issue feeling the same level of sadness for Sam Herr *if* he is in fact guilty of participating in the Benito R. gang related stabbing and murder that happened some years ago.
If he was involved, I don’t care that he was a vet, he was a murderer, just the same as Daniel.
Julie Kibuishi was quintessential innocent victims. But Sam was very much a victim as well. His murder was devastating for his family.
Sam was acquitted in the Benito murder trial. I understand your feelings though. The Benito case added a very strange layer to this whole story.
Thank you for taking time to leave a comment.