Two alleged Santa Paula gang members were accused of first-degree murder in the case, but were acquitted by a jury in 2005, with one of the defendants being convicted on a lesser charge. The case was re-reviewed by Sheriff’s investigators more than a year ago, leading to a February announcement that they were close to identifying a new suspect in Sam’s killing.A news conference about the expected arrest is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m. in the Jail Annex Lobby at the Ventura County Government Center, where Sam’s father, Sam Reeves, will speak on behalf of the family.
VCSD to announce arrest of suspect in 2003 murder of Samuel Reeves
July 10, 2009
Santa Paula News
Ventura County Sheriff’s investigators have identified a suspect in the 2003 killing of popular Santa Paula teenager Samuel Travis Reeves and the announcement of the arrest - described as “imminent” in a VCSD press release - will be held at a press conference Monday.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesVentura County Sheriff’s investigators have identified a suspect in the 2003 killing of popular Santa Paula teenager Samuel Travis Reeves and the announcement of the arrest - described as “imminent” in a VCSD press release - will be held at a press conference Monday. A Santa Paula gang member has been identified, but his name withheld, as the suspected killer of Sam, 15, who was shot to death at a party just east of the city on October 11, 2003.Sam, a popular Santa Paula High School skateboarder and musician described in the VCSD press release as an “innocent 15-year-old,” was one of more than 300 teenagers and youth attending a birthday party at a farmhouse located on Highway 126 just east of Hallock Drive. Several fights broke out shortly before midnight and someone opened fire. Sam, who attended the party with his brothers, was shot in the chest and killed.
