BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—
Judge John R. Brownlee said Tuesday he wishes a couple things hadn’t taken place on Bancroft Court in California City the evening of April 6, 2022.
He wishes Adolfo Jimenez Vega hadn’t trespassed into a backyard to case a house. He also wishes a neighbor, Duvardrick Reeder, hadn’t confronted Jimenez Vega with a gun.
But that’s what happened, the result being Jimenez Vega was shot dead and Reeder facing felony charges.
Reeder earlier this year pleaded no contest to a charge of involuntary manslaughter, leading to Tuesday’s sentencing hearing.
He faced a maximum of four years in prison. That’s what prosecutor Cole Sherman and Jimenez Vega’s family asked for.
Reeder’s family wanted him back home immediately. He’s been out of custody.
Brownlee said he spent the past few days thinking about the case, and had trouble sleeping the night before as he turned the “difficult matter” over in his mind.
Acknowledging no sentence he imposed would be popular with either side, Brownlee gave Reeder a two-year suspended sentence, with the first 90 days in jail.
He noted Reeder had no criminal record before the shooting, and he didn’t believe he confronted Jimenez Vega — who had a lengthy record — with the intent of shooting him.
Reeder is required to spend 30 days in actual custody. The remainder could be spent on work release if the sheriff’s office determines he’s eligible.
Reeder, represented by Deputy Public Defender Jacob Evans, was remanded into custody as audience members left the courtroom.
Family statements
Before sentencing, Nancy Jimenez Vega, Adolfo Jimenez Vega’s sister, read statements to the court written by herself and other family members. They spoke of their loss — and how they believe Reeder committed murder.
“You know what you did was intentional,” Nancy Jimenez Vega said.
She said her brother hadn’t posed a threat.
Adolfo Jimenez Vega’s left arm was in a sling when the confrontation occurred, and he had what Reeder told police was a “hand-sized” piece of wood in his hand.
Reeder said he told Adolfo Jimenez Vega to leave the backyard where he’d found him casing a home in the 21300 block of Bancroft Court. He followed Adolfo Jimenez Vega to the front of the house.
Then Adolfo Jimenez Vega stopped and made a sudden turn, Reeder told police. He fired once, killing him.
Toxicology reports revealed Adolfo Jimenez Vega was highly intoxicated on methamphetamine.
Jimenez Vega’s family called Reeder a murderer, but Reeder’s wife told the court he’s a loving husband and father who saw a threat to his family and took action.
All he wanted was for Adolfo Jimenez Vega to leave, Melissa Reeder said. She said what happened is a tragedy, but she stands by her husband, “and I always will.”
