Last week David Reeves, 19, told jurors that fear of gang retaliation against him or his family delayed him from identifying Maloney and Carrillo when he was interviewed by police after his brother’s death. Maloney and Carrillo were carrying guns at the party, and shortly after midnight a confrontation between a gang member and Geno Roderick occurred.Roderick had attended the party with Samuel Reeves and his three older brothers. Roderick, a friend of the Reeves brothers, got into a fight with a gang member and Carrillo pulled his gun, brandishing it at the crowd. Roderick tackled Carrillo. Two shots rang out, one striking Samuel Reeves Jr. in the left side of the chest.David Reeves testified that Maloney struck him in the head. When Reeves turned around Maloney was pointing the gun at his head. Reeves told the jurors that his fear turned to anger when his family home was vandalized and they received threatening phone calls.Cabrillo and Maloney have maintained that they are not the gunmen responsible for Reeves’ death.
Sam Reeves: Trial shows that fear of retaliation delayed information
June 15, 2005
Santa Paula News
Hundreds of area youth and teenagers found themselves at a murder scene when a fight led to the death of a poplar Santa Paula boy, and many of those who witnessed the shooting of Samuel Reeves Jr. feared retaliation by gang members if they told police what they saw.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesHundreds of area youth and teenagers found themselves at a murder scene when a fight led to the death of a poplar Santa Paula boy, and many of those who witnessed the shooting of Samuel Reeves Jr. feared retaliation by gang members if they told police what they saw. Testimony resumed this week in the trial of two admitted Santa Paula gang members accused of killing 15-year-old Samuel Reeves Jr., a popular athlete and musician, at an October 11, 2003 party held just outside city limits.Nathan Daniel Maloney, 24, and Michael Carrillo, 19 are on trial for not only the homicide, but also additional charges of special circumstances and committing the crime for the benefit of a street gang. Maloney and Carrillo are on trial in Ventura County Superior Court Judge Kevin McGee’s courtroom.The known gang members attended the ranch party on Peres Road, where about 500 people had gathered for a birthday celebration. An admission was required to attend the party, that featured kegs of beer and a disc jockey.
