LOWER LAKE ? The family of David Joshua Barreda, Jr., 33, who was murdered nearly a year ago in Sacramento, gathered Saturday to collect letters of impact regarding the loss of a loved one.
Fond memories of the former Lower Lake man were shared and letters composed that the family will present to the Sacramento District Attorney”s Office prior to the sentencing of the two men convicted of Barreda”s murder. A third suspect awaits trial in November.
“I”m just hoping these letters will have an impact on whoever tries to get them out and I hope they read them so they know what has happened to us,” Barreda”s mother Sarah Barreda said.
Barreda”s body was discovered Thanksgiving Day 2008 in the trunk of his Ford Taurus. According to Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Rick Miller, who is prosecuting the case, investigation of the incident determined Curtis Chapman, 21, shot Barreda in the back of the head. Chapman was convicted of first degree murder with special circumstances of robbery in a Sacramento Superior Court on Sept. 21. 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.
The third suspect, Tammy Turney, 49, who is Hundley”s mother, is expected to stand trial Nov. 10. The prosecution is seeking the mandatory sentence of life in prison for all three suspects.
The purpose of Saturday”s gathering was to collect letters that illustrate the devastation caused by Barreda”s death. “These will go in the files of these two guys and possibly the third party, so that (the courts) can understand the impact of what has happened to all of us through Josh”s death,” Sarah Barreda said. “Whether it”s a son or daughter, nephew, grandchild, when you go through this kind of thing, it”s devastating.”
The Sarah and her husband David Barreda lost another son, Lucas, just seven months prior to the death of David Joshua Barreda, Jr. Mrs. Barreda said that she saw maturity strike in her son when he lost his brother. “He really surprised me at Lucas”s funeral. He stepped right up along with the rest of the family. I saw my son, and I saw a man. He was my rock,” she said, adding that there is a different type of pain left in her heart by Josh”s death.
“Lucas died in his sleep. Josh didn”t. Somebody took him and he didn”t have to go,” she said.
Family from San Jose traveled to lend support to Saturday”s event. Barreda”s aunt Melba Barreda recalled her nephew as a big guy whose tears shed for his brother had touched her. The father of Barreda”s best friend through childhood recalled him with favor. “He was a joy. He was a laughter in the house,” Mike Mason said. “When he didn”t come to get advice he came to give some.”
Jimmie Reeder, who Mrs. Barreda described as a “second grandmother” said that she first met Josh during vacation Bible study when he was in junior high. “He was always on time and he always participated. Sometimes it would be just he and I,” she said. “Wherever we met, he was always the same. That”s how I know he was a good person.”
Reeder”s husband, Foster Reeder offered some advice as they departed the gathering. “Take a look around and enjoy everything while it”s here,” he said.
Barreda leaves behind his parents Sarah and David Barreda as well as a sister, Serina Rosales and her husband Russell. He also leaves his grandmother, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. “He is missed,” Sarah Barreda said.
The family will continue to collect impact letters until Oct. 10. Those wishing to contribute their comments may send them to PO Box 1382, Lower Lake, CA 95457.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 944-6444, ext. 11.
