Pawn shop owner gets 36 to life for killing wife, wounding judge

Darren Mack, a former pawn shop owner, was sentenced to 20 years to life for the stabbing murder of his wife Charla in 2006, and 16 to 40 years, to be served consecutive to the murder sentence, for the attempted sniper-style murder of Family Court Judge Chuck Weller at a Washoe County courthouse. The 36 years to life sentence was imposed by District Judge Douglas Herndon as part of a plea agreement.

In handing down the sentence, Herndon cited the heinous nature of the crimes and Mack’s lack of remorse.

“The truth is Mr. Mack is guilty of these crimes, but he doesn’t want to hear anything about that,” the judge said.

Mack, during testimony Thursday, reiterated his claims that he acted in self defense when the slashed his wife’s throat in the garage of his southeast Reno townhouse. He also has argued that he was coerced by his former lawyers into the plea deal, and suggested the attorneys, prosecutors, investigators and law enforcement officers who investigated the case were corrupt.Herndon said while he allowed Mack to go on at length, he never said what the judge hoped he’d hear: “I’m sorry.”Herndon’s sentencing followed emotional testimony earlier Friday by Charla Mack’s family and Weller.

Soorya Townley, Charla's mother, grew closer after adulthood. "I was one of those lucky mothers to be best friends with my daughter. In those last years, Charla and I cleared our past mother-daughter conflicts.”

Townley stated that Charla wanted to be either a professional singer, or be a spokeswoman with a business involving divorcing couples.

“Charla believed ... she could even tame Darren’s rage” and get him involved,” Townley said. Mack hung his head in his hands and appeared to cry when Townley concluded her testimony with a song Charla had recorded before her death.“It was a song she wanted to sing to Darren,” Townley said.