Bakersfield, California – Judge John R. Brownlee said Tuesday that he wishes a few things hadn’t happened on Bancroft Court in California City on the evening of April 6, 2022.
He wishes Adolfo Jimenez Vega had not trespassed into a backyard to investigate a house. He also wishes that his neighbor, Duvardrick Reeder, had not confronted Jimenez Vega with a gun.
But that is what happened, and Jimenez Vega was killed, while Reeder was charged with a felony.
Reeder pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter earlier this year, setting up the sentencing hearing on Tuesday.
He faced up to four years in prison. That is what prosecutor Cole Sherman and Jimenez Vega’s family asked for.
Reeder’s family wanted him back home right away. He had been released from custody.
Brownlee stated that he had difficulty sleeping the night before because he had been thinking about the “difficult matter” for several days.
Brownlee gave Reeder a two-year suspended sentence, with the first 90 days spent in jail, knowing that no sentence he imposed would be popular with either side.
He noted Reeder had no criminal record prior to the shooting and did not believe he confronted Jimenez Vega, who had a lengthy record, with the intent to shoot him.
Reeder is required to serve 30 days in actual custody. If the sheriff’s office determines he is eligible, the remaining funds could be used for work release.
Reeder, represented by Deputy Public Defender Jacob Evans, was remanded into custody as the audience exited the courtroom.
Family statements
Before the sentencing, Adolfo Jimenez Vega’s sister, Nancy Jimenez Vega, read statements to the court written by herself and other family members. They discussed their loss and how they believe Reeder committed murder.
“You know what you did was intentional,” Nancy Jimenez Vega said.
She claimed her brother had not posed a threat.
When the confrontation occurred, Adolfo Jimenez Vega had his left arm in a sling and was holding what Reeder described as a “hand-sized” piece of wood.
Reeder stated that he told Adolfo Jimenez Vega to leave the backyard where he had discovered him casing a home on the 21300 block of Bancroft Court. He followed Adolfo Jimenez Vega to the front of the house.
Reeder told police that Adolfo Jimenez Vega came to a stop and made a sharp turn. He fired once and killed him.
According to toxicology reports, Adolfo Jimenez Vega was heavily intoxicated on methamphetamine.
Jimenez Vega’s family accused Reeder of murder, but Reeder’s wife told the court that he is a loving husband and father who saw a threat to his family and took action.
Melissa Reeder explained that all he wanted was for Adolfo Jimenez Vega to leave. She described what happened as a tragedy, but she remains committed to her husband, “and I always will.”
