Reeves said he is unable to go to into detail, “but what I can say is they have fantastic new evidence.” DNA evidence as well as statements from those who attended the party are factors of the reopened investigation that Reeves believes will lead to closure for the family.“Sam was just an innocent child who was murdered. I praise these detectives for what they are doing... it means the world to our family.” Reeves said Brantley is “like a pit bull, he’s sunk his teeth into this and will not let go until it’s finished.”After Sam’s death a candlelight vigil brought out hundreds of his friends and their parents, who have also been frustrated by Sam’s killer not being brought to justice. “They are putting the finishing touches on this, that’s what they’re doing right now,” and Reeves said although he has no idea when an arrest would occur, “I’m very confident with this fantastic new evidence” developed by the determined detectives, and “I’m very optimistic they are going to get this coward very, very soon.”Each year on the anniversary of Sam’s death, the Reeves family runs a newspaper memorial noting his passing and the circumstances of his death. The family remains in mourning for Sam, a sophomore at Santa Paula High School when he was killed. A talented musician, Sam played drums in a rock band and he was an avid skateboarder admired for his skill.Reeves said the revitalized investigation and its coming results are “about closure and justice, that’s what it’s about. It won’t bring Samuel back, but it would be like the world was lifted off our shoulders to have closure... and justice for this precious little boy.”Detective Brantley and Sergeant Hester are asking anyone with information to call them at 477-7000.
Samuel Reeves: Reopened case leading to killer of popular student
February 18, 2009
Santa Paula News
After more than five years and a trial that saw two men acquitted of murdering a popular Santa Paula High School student at a party on a ranch outside city limits, authorities are reportedly close to identifying Samuel Reeves’ killer.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAfter more than five years and a trial that saw two men acquitted of murdering a popular Santa Paula High School student at a party on a ranch outside city limits, authorities are reportedly close to identifying Samuel Reeves’ killer. The 15-year-old musician and skateboarder was shot to death at a birthday party October 11, 2003, an event Sam had attended with his older brothers.In the midst of the partying by hundreds of teenagers and youths, several fights broke out and then gunshots rang out, fatally striking Sam in the chest. The development in the case comes more than three years after two former suspects, admitted Santa Paula gang members, were found not guilty of first-degree murder in the case.In July 2005, Michael Carrillo, then 19, was found not guilty of all felony charges. Although jurors cleared Nathan Maloney, then 24, of first-degree murder, they were deadlocked on some lesser charges against him. Maloney later pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a separate assault that night. He was sentenced in early 2006 to eight years in prison.At the time Maloney was sentenced prosecutors said they believed Sam’s killer was still at large. Although Carrillo and Maloney were acquitted of the murder charge, authorities suspect the killer belonged to the same Santa Paula gang.Ventura County Sheriff’s Sergeant Billy Hester and his partner, Detective Dave Brantley, began reviewing the case a year ago.“I never lost confidence in the Sheriff’s Department,” said Sam Reeves Sr. of Santa Paula. “About a year ago were contacted by Detective Brantley and he and Sergeant Hester started looking into the matter again... they’re the ones spearheading the investigation.”