The office of Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano is proceeding with a not guilty plea from a man charged with the brutal killing of a husband while he slept beside his wife.
The case involves Joshua Danehauer, 36, and the victim, 32-year-old Gret Greier; the plea will be based on “reasons of insanity,” as reported recently.
The suspect has received a psychiatric evaluation, and a future hearing will decide which mental health facility Danehauer will be placed in.
This violent act took place in 2022 when Greier was shot ten times while next to his wife, who, along with their children, was unharmed. Greier was the CEO of DonorSee, a nonprofit that facilitates direct donations to those in need.
The family of the victim asserts that evidence indicates Danehauer premeditated the murder. Greier’s sister, Gizan, expressed that he was aware of right and wrong, mentioning that he had prepared a plan for the killing.
She told NBC Washington, “This was not a momentary lapse; it was a cold-blooded, calculated act against an innocent person. Without criminal charges, he would effectively receive treatment and then be returned to society without accountability for his actions.”
On social media, Blake Neff, a producer for The Charlie Kirk Show, criticized Descano, referring to him as “Soros’ DA” and labeling the insanity claims as “outrageous.”
Neff’s post included a photo of Danehauer alongside Descano.
Greier’s family stated they hope the judge will reject the plea, given the evidence at hand.
“While the motive remains uncertain, court documents show that Danehauer had a prior relationship with Greier’s wife, Heather, before her marriage. The family mentioned his eagerness to reconnect after a date with her a decade ago, noting that both were church members the year of Greier’s death,” according to the report.
In 2025, Descano faced backlash for his leniency towards an undocumented immigrant accused of strangling a woman.
Descano’s campaign website stated he aimed for Fairfax County to be “a safe, fair, and just place for everyone.”
Recently, Virginia Democrats have been criticized for proposing legislation that would significantly reduce minimum sentences for serious crimes, including manslaughter and assault on law enforcement.
