SACRAMENTO ? Two of the three suspects arrested in connection to the November 2008 murder of former Lower Lake man, David Joshua Barreda Jr., 33, were recently found guilty of murder crimes. The third suspect awaits trial.
Curtis Chapman, 21, was convicted of first degree murder with special circumstances of robbery in a Sacramento Superior Court on Monday. Chapman”s co-defendant, Richard Hundley, 20, was convicted of first degree murder by a separate jury on Sept. 15. Sentencing for both men is scheduled for Oct. 16.
“I was pleased with everything that happened in this case from the detectives to the DA,” Barreda”s father David Barreda Sr. said. “They were a real help and I think the DA did an excellent job prosecuting the case.”
The third suspect, Tammy Turney, 49, who is Hundley”s mother, is expected to stand trial Nov. 10.
Barreda”s body was discovered in the trunk of a 1996 Ford Taurus on Thanksgiving Day last year in Sacramento. Sheriff deputies discovered the body following a report of a suspicious vehicle parked on 40th Street in Sacramento. His death was caused by a gunshot wound, according to Sacramento County Coroner”s Office.
According to Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Rick Miller, investigation of the incident determined Chapman to be the triggerman. Barreda was shot in the back of the head, Miller said.
Barreda”s body was located a few blocks away from the suspects” residence on Mendocino Boulevard. “He had met one of the residents there and had basically gone to hang out with her,” Miller said. “Apparently he was going to give her a tattoo.”
According to Miller, the suspects had stolen Barreda”s car keys, forcing him to stay the night. The next morning Chapman shot him in the back of the head and the suspects put him in his vehicle and drove it a few blocks away where it was later discovered.
The prosecution is seeking the mandatory sentence of life without parole in the sentencing of both men. Miller said Turney faces the same. “She faces the same charges for murder during the course of a robbery with the same mandatory sentencing,” he said.
Barreda”s family is organizing a campaign to compose impact letters and video correspondence that will be presented during the sentencing hearing in October. “This will go with the murderers. It will follow them and stay in their permanent records,” Barreda Sr. said. “We would like all of David”s friends to come and help us put these statements together. Anyone who would like to share memories is welcome to come.”
The family will gather at noon Saturday at 9590 Lake Street in Lower Lake.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
