DA’s Office Changes Murder Charge Against Tattoo Artist in Fatal Shooting of Ex-Girlfriend to Voluntary Manslaughter
Daniel Forrest Rena-Dozier [Booking Photo from the Humboldt County Correctional Facility]
On April 8, the Sheriff’s Department took Rena-Dozier into custody after finding a 30-year-old woman, Mia Simone Felder, with a gunshot wound at his home on the 1200 block of Windy Road in McKinleyville. According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Department, Rena-Dozier had called 911 alleging that his former girlfriend was refusing to leave his residence and then, as deputies were responding, he notified 911 that a woman had been shot.
The amended complaint from the DA states Rena-Dozier “did willfully, unlawfully, and without malice kill Mia Simone Felder, a human being, upon a sudden quarrel and heat of passion.” (Read the whole complaint on Words Worth.)
On the 8th, the Sheriff’s Department booked Rena-Dozier not only for murder (PC187) but also, possession of a firearm silencer (PC 33410) and tampering with the ID marks on a firearm (PC 23900). While the murder charge has been dropped to voluntary manslaughter, the District Attorney’s Office is still charging Rena-Dozier with the same two firearm charges.
The National Gun Violence Memorial site lists Mia Simone Felder as having two children.
Earlier: McKinleyville Man Arrested for Murder After 911 Call Reporting Unwanted Subject at the Residence
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This doesn’t surprise me I thought for sure that this was going to happen anyway because she was at his residence and refusing to leave. I’m surprised you got the manslaughter thing I thought he would get self-defense because obviously the altercation it happened was because she refused to leave him he had already called 911. Not saying it’s right to go around doing that but I’m just saying I thought you had the right to defend yourself in your own house if somebody comes in your house and you feel threat. Obviously he did he called 911 but before they got there another notification happened and did what he did now as far as the gun thing I knew he was going to get messed up on that but lots of people get busted with that and don’t go to prison so I’m not sure how they’re going to handle this but I think in the end there they didn’t even drop the manslaughter around him to self-defense I’m kind of way. It’s sad she has two children that now don’t have a mother, I think the whole thing is sad. I think he did what he thought was right when you called 911 and then things escalated after that and put him in a position where he did what he did obviously he didn’t plan any intentions to do anything with those guns because he would have gotten rid of them before he called 911 if that was the case he wasn’t thinking about that he was thinking about what was happening inside his house and my belief. I don’t know the whole situation either do we none of us but do know that she shouldn’t have been there she should have left and didn’t and the result was even though a permanent one was my choice that she made when she decided to being an altercation with him in his house. But the lies a lot and I’m as far as I know that was a law because if somebody got into my house came at me and I called 911 and before they can get there I was attacked I would probably do the same thing most likely I would. So I don’t know this whole thing is sad except for the children and I don’t have a mom instead for the woman that lost her life and sad for him that he took her life and is going to affect a lot of people.
Well, this is much less egregious than the drunk who drove through the old man’s house, killing him in his bed. For which he served 3 years at a camp and was released for “good behavior”. Or Marci Kitchen
Self defense is equal force. You can only use deadly force against deadly force. You can’t use deadly force against a trespasser . Seriously! You actually believe you have the right to kill someone who doesn’t leave your house. That’s insanity. She not even a stranger. She was unarmed. He doesn’t appear to have been assaulted. What are his injuries? Wow! In your own mind you justify the killing of an unarmed ex girlfriend with an illegal gun that had a n illegal silencer and that he had filed the serial numbers off of. That gun probably is stolen or was used to killed someone else.
Not true. Castle doctrine is clear that forced entry into an occupied home can be countered with lethal force. You don’t need to wait and see if the perpetrator is armed.
I don’t know the circumstances here, but the DA reducing the charges so quickly indicates there was more to it than just a verbal dispute.
The Castle Doctrine (CA Penal Code Section 198.5) which allows the use of deadly force by a homeowner if someone forces or breaks their way into their house unlawfully. The homeowner must fear imminent death or great bodily injury towards themselves or their family in order to justify deadly force. And CALCRIM clearly states a person must prove that they or their family were in immediate danger of death or great harm.
https://law.justia.com/codes/california/2021/code-pen/part-1/title-8/chapter-1/section-198-5/
https://www.justia.com/criminal/docs/calcrim/500/505/
I clicked on your link and it clearly says that the homeowner can assume the threat is real when a stranger invades your house. You are wrong, Ullr Rover is correct. You break into someone’s house, the assumption is you present the threat of injury or death. I’m supposed to pass out a questionnaire as to intent of the perp? That’s ridiculous.
Well if that is truly the case California’s legal system and your broad determination of self defense are going to be at odds. He did what he thought was right that’s funny. Does he look like he thinks he did the right thing ha. It usually comes down to feeling small and getting angry and other times its like the person doesn’t think he’s almost dissociated from the event it’s like a reflex after a million tv shows and movies and the moment the powder ignites you know you’ve fucked up. Look at his face. His life is over a bomb just went off.
and his ex is DEAD
SO you’re assuming he called 911 and told the truth? He happened to have all those guns around. Maybe he shot her and then called and made that claim.
I cant see any reason why he should reach for a gun under any likely circumstances, I doubt his life was in any danger. His costly lapse in judgement will be with both families forever now. What a shameful tragedy.
What evidence do you have to “doubt” his life was in danger? I do agree it’s a shameful tragedy.
For starters, no injuries, no hospital treatment, she had no weapon. How about that? If a man’s going to shoot and kill an unarmed ex girlfriend and claim self defense against her weapon or her use of deadly force trying to kill him then it’s your burden to prove it. You took the other person’s life.
That’s a lot of assuming for a short paragraph
Unless she had some type of weapon.
I’ve always wondered how you can willfully and unlawfully shoot and kill someone “without malice” – as in: “I shot and killed her but I really meant no harm” – it’s a contradiction created in the law by slick attorneys and out of touch judges.
white man killer, black woman victim
Malice is defined as a desire to cause harm to others, extreme ill will, or spite. My impression is that in legalese it implies a level of intent.
So an overreaction to a perceived threat could be unlawful without involving malice.
Manslaughter is defined by California Penal Code Section 192 which describes it, in part, as “(a) Voluntary—upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion.”. Murder (PC 187) requires an element of “malice aforethought”, which the DA presumably felt that they couldn’t show here.
The suspect plead not guilty so presumably he will attempt the PC 197 justifiable homicide defense as the original HCSO release seemed to suggest that he had admitted to shooting her.
I suspect that the DA may use the manslaughter charge to try to coax some form of plea deal given the firearm charges.
“She wouldn’t leave.” He blubbered out while sobbing and cringing.
You should never hit a woman. Okay okay maybe this was the exception to the rule. If the woman is crazy and coming at you and the choice is shoot her or hit her and hold her down then definitely do not shoot her…Is this guy so cowardly that he’d rather shoot a woman than physically fight her?! Yeah real cool tattoo artist i guess but all I see is a violent coward and now 2 motherless children. What a man-Not!
Unless she had a weapon. As for not hitting a woman etc what about equal rights? You want to be treated the same as a man that means you get your ass kicked the same as a man when you decide to attack him. I do not condone violence but when you are defending yourself that is another story. Glad to see you are clarivoint and know she had no weapon etc. If she had a knife or gun well self defense. Lets wait for the fact before you start spitting out fact you have no idea about.
You’re right but you don’t have to be so angry lol! I did ASSUME she was not armed. Because he got charged for shooting her dead. We have seen a couple cases recently where ALL charges were dropped because it was self-defense …but not this one. See how I just so arrogantly jumped ahead with my stupid logic?It’s not clairvoyance it’s called “logical assumption”…
You had them at never hit a women.
“Though the 1868, Fourteenth Amendment provided all citizens with “equal protection under the laws,” extending the provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states, it doesn’t say anything about “kicking somebody’s ass.”
https://www.senate.gov/about/origins-foundations/senate-and-constitution/14th-amendment.htm
No weight differences, no differences in muscle mass or anything…
You, dude are a nightmare for women everywhere.
Does he have a criminal record? It wouldn’t appear so because he is legally allowed to possess a firearm. Or at least not a severe or violent record. Either way, everyone is assuming that he got mad and shot her.
In my mind the far more likely situation is that she was threatening him, or his girlfriend. So he defended himself. He called 911, reported the incident, she got violent, he protected himself, then he called and reported that he had shot her. This doesn’t sound like someone blind with rage and executing an Ex.
This sounds like a self defense situation. Granted…. The silencer is still problematic. However, I think we are missing a lot of information. And it does everyone a disservice to jump to conclusions.
The dead woman is very disserviced.
If he was allowed to have possession of a firearm then why did he tamper with the ID number and have a silencer? Both are ILLEGAL. “ghost gun” smh. Why didn’t he record her refusing to leave if he was the one being attacked, seems like that’s what everyone’s go-to is in those situations. So he was a tattoo artist , what about her? Is it true she was on the staff at the boys and girls club? Think of all those kids who benefited from her being in their lives…it’s so sad 🙁
Well now! But she is a woman and she is black. He is a cis white male with anger issues and white privilege and he has a gun fetish because he has guns and so he must be violently aggressive and wrong. That’s how society works nowadays, Better catch up…Boomer!!
Rip Mia Felder this is why many people shouldn’t own guns. He had the gun in his hands and either made a mistake when under pressure or got angry. What he did not do was think it thru. I was attacked today by a mentally ill homeless have video. I didn’t shoot the guy I backed up so that people could clearly see the transient on meth and in a psychosis was the aggressor then I was looking forward to contact but he retreated. A warning shot and shit would have happened different and that is probably because of immaturity and anger. The couple who pointed AR-15s at the Antifa demonstration did not know how to respect and properly handle firearms. Lot of idiots out there unfortunately Newsom will build a refinery before a prison so he will be back shopping at your local safeway soon.
How tragic 🙁
I don’t see where it says she has kids on the gun memorial site though.
I also see that. It shows the number of people that thumbs up, and the number they are thumbs up-ing is zero.
She doesn’t have any kids
He should get a medal
What was the size difference between the shooter and the deceased?
Doesn’t really matter. I dont know the exact circumstances, so not either defending or condemning his actions here. However, size in a conflict doesn’t necessarily matter, especially if there are weapons involved.
Doesn’t matter? If he’s bigger and stronger than the woman he more than likely could have just stopped her without a gun. A man with a gun shot a woman who did not have a gun.
Idk him but she was five two
Is there a final decision
I’m in Oakland looking for answers about my friend .
She did not deserve this I’ve known her for a very long time.
No matter what he comes up with for a defense after the fact. He had already called the police why not just lock yourself in the bathroom or better yet go outside and wait for them. It just makes no sense that he calls them in shortly therefore after she’s dead and he awaits their arrival. Some pretty poor self-control there dude. I don’t care no matter what the situation was you could have gotten the heck away from her you had the upper hand bad choices 100%.Certainly, she did not arrive with the knowledge she would soon be dead.
Seems unlikely she would go somewhere where she might be shot, or fatally shot. Wouldn’t be out of line to check if she was pregnant.
*good point*
Ummmmm cuz like why go into the bathroom and leave someone whos clearly unwanted alone in your home. They could steal and or damage shit. You gotta protect your self first and your home second. I agree dude coulda called the cops before the shooting but maybe he wasn’t tryna do that to a black woman. Not everybody be so quick to call the cops as they’ve proven to kinda be like not cool ya know?
Hm. I wonder if the victim was armed.
I wonder what the reaction on the comment section would be if it was a man who entered a woman’s house against her will being violent and confrontational and refused to leave and the woman shot him?
exactly. Ever hear of femiminism? Equality for all? Well here it is ladies you are being treated like a man.
No man ever beats up a woman in the name of equal rights. Violence is not even a right at all.
Exactly, equal rights, according to the legislature, the 14th amendment, and acts, the civil rights act of 1964 are about being treated equally in the work place, the right to vote, etc., not about a man’s right to be violent toward another man or toward a woman.
https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/CivilRightsActOf1964.pdf
Do you know how many women in this country are in prison for doing exctly that? Or for killing their abuser. Or for killing their rapist? It is not a small number. Every once in a while a woman gets released from prison because of an ACLU or Innocence Project lawsuit, but many many women languish in prison.
What Vet said. And now if a woman kills her rapist in California they will lock her up with a trans-identifying male who is a rapist. The hits never stop coming.
Both the left and the right just hate women.
Since men are close to eight times more likely to kill someone than women and more likely by far to kill a woman they are in a relationship than the reverse, it is not unreasonable to think that the man was the danger to the woman. Beside which, about 20% of men are subject to violence in a residence while 80% of women are , it is not unreasonable to suspect the man is the dangerous one.
“80% of women are subject to violence in a residence”
Citation or justification of math please. I have a hard time understanding how you could arrive at a statement like that.
Unless you meant out of 10 people subjected to violence in a residence 2 were men and 8 were women.
I’m having a hard time believing 80% of women are subjected to violence at the home.
Every five minutes a woman is murdered at the hands of a dude . Mia’s name has been added to a very very long documented list of women who have lost their lives in similar situations.
Unbelievable , heartless, RIP
young lady. If you hang around dogs you’re going to get fleas , in this case, now you’re gone, and the babies lost their momma. This world can be so harsh and cold. Stay off these dirty drugs that are on the streets nowadays, stay off the drink, stay away from the men with guns that are triggered!
He’s a tattoo artist he will do easy time. I think 15 plus years should teach him a life lesson. Less than 10 he probably won’t learn.
As someone whos had an experience with Mia I’ll say this. She was not some saint and innocent type of persona. She actually was kinda the opposite. I’ve seen her get aggressive and lowkey violent over the stupidest smallest shit. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was on some bullshit and didn’t want to leave and got angry with dude for telling her to go this resulting in her being even more antagonizing and may have provoked dude. Like I’ve for real seen her be on some of the most foul shit when she didn’t get her way so some of this isn’t that surprising to me. Sucks she died but to be quite candid I could see her arguing with dude and being hella agro and trying to hit him and him doing what he thought he had to do. As a man you gotta be cautious with these types of situations with women. He coulda called the cops not shot her, the cops show up and she’s crying trying to work the narrative and dude get arrested at his own home. It’s for real SUPER common. Also I haven’t seen her in ages after I cut her off but she def used to be on some bullshit and get super foul if she didn’t like or agree with you so yeah there’s that. Idk shit sucks all around if you ask me.
TL/DR “She was crazy and scary” said another guy.
So you think that she deserved to die? Life is complicated. Speculation aside she was small and not very strong. She should get shot? I want to know what happened. We are mourning the loss of a very special and complex individual. Why would this adult man who looks larger from the pictures that are coming up shoot her to death? I want answers. Not victim blaming my friend for her death.
What’s Daniel like? Is he amazing ? I’m thinking if she wouldn’t dip he was probably holding on to something of hers and wouldn’t give it back or something. People who love her want this to make sense .
Mia was a beloved friend of mine. She was studying to be a social worker and help others. She was one of the funniest people I’ve ever known. She had her whole life ahead of her and plans to be of service to our community. She was a gift to the world and my life. Prayers for her family and for the many people who loved her. Just as she was.
May I contact you to discuss this?
Yes, great service to the community… after getting arrested for DUI causing bodily injury in November 2022…
A social worker who shows up unwanted at their exes home and refuses to leave.
We must have very different ideas of what constitutes a “gift to the world”
Seems like they’re both pieces of shit.
This man should be behind bars, I know I will no longer support primal decor.