+May the Lord receive him according to His great mercy and grant his killer repentance and forgiveness+

HUH??? Hopefully his killer will spend 15 to life in state prison.

Another tragedy from senseless violence.

 Were you there?????  Do you know who swung first?????  Your right sensless violence...and the one that started it is dead.  

Or as timec would say, sinceless violence.

This never happened at the reggae fest.  Pass the doche on the left hand side!

Don't tell us buffysb that you know all the TRUE facts. Everyone else is screwed up, the police are wrong, and Matthew Reed is the real victim, right? This is SO predictable.

Oh, and welcome to TBC blogs, since you only signed up this evening.

Buffysb, according to all the reports, and the victim's girlfriend, the guy basically sucker-punched him in the back of the head.  He then exclaimed after the guy fell, "That's how you knock a  M@#$%^-F!@#$% out!." 

Well, unfortunately, a good time at the BeerFest was marred by some random crackpot, so now everyone will start screaming "It was BeerFest's fault!". I was there all day and enjoyed my self, more than most, I would say. You can see the pictures on my MySpace.  But this takes the fun that a lot of people had out.

My condolences to the family for their loss.  He was there like everyone to have a good time. And now this.

And just a little side-note, this happened to me last year downtown, some guy, who I still never have found out who it was, straight up cold cocked me because I was standing next to the door to the club. And yes, I was very intoxicated, so I never saw it coming. No-one saw the guy because nobody realized I was hit until I fell and cracked my head on the ground.

I was lucky , I guess, could have been worse.

...yawn!    

...yawn!

It's nice to see something of substance come out of your mouth for a change...

you people dont know what happen and you werent there....

did you guy know there realtionship and what happen???

Exactly hear say.....

Matt is a good guy,and has a kind heart,you guys dont know him

or the sitution

Nice usage of the King's Engrish  "whatthe"  -- Makes one go: "what the?"........... You and Buffysb should get a Dick Shun Airy methinks......... And Popeye should stay home in future!

psh..it really funny that you dont have any life...

 Kevin, may you rest in peace...I'm so sorry this has happend...Nothing will ever be the same. Everyone is suffering right now...I wish I could just fix this somehow and bring you back...Please know it was a senseless accident...and I hope that everyone is able to heal and no one else has to hurt because of this. God I am truelly sorry!!! 

Who is responsible for the affect that this story has had on myself, my children, and loved ones. I am the mother of the two young children that weren't mentioned in the story...There have been so many discrepancies in every story I have read or heard on T.V. regarding the horrible events that occured that day. First they argued, then they didn't. Next, Kevin was hit once in the throught, which caused him to fall and hit his head on the ground resulting in the trauma to his brain or next,  Matt snuck up behind Kevin and hit the back of his head causing the trauma. Then, Matt hit Kevin and fled the scene or Matt hit Kevin, laughed, made profane statement regarding Kevin and Janey (Kevin's girlfriend and Matt's ex-girlfriend) poored her peer on him, hit him and tried to choke him before Matt fled the scene. There are so many more versions being reported and everyones statements have changed regarding the events of that day but they all have one thing in common, they only tell one side. I wasn't their that day, it was my weekend with our two young boys, (who also know Kevin and who Janey helped raised for years while her and Matt were together) but I do know that despite the fact that Kevin and Matt were not on good terms, Matt did not want this to happen and certainly didn't forsee it. I don't want to seem in any way like I am trying to disregard Kevin's death, or the pain and loss that this unimaginable tragedy has caused his family, his children, and all those that knew him, including myself. My thoughts and prayers are with them all. The fact that a guitar has been called the motive sickens me. Yes they had an issue over a stolen guitar but that certainly wasn't the extent of their relationship. They were friends. They hadn't got along in the beginning either but eventually became very close and I'm sure after Matt stopped puffing their chests over things that were already said and done they would've found that friendship again. Matt shouldn't have handled things the way he did...no matter whose version you believe, but no one ever imagined that something like this could happen. I realize that Kevin is dead and that it's shocked us all to the core. Matt turned himself into the police, contrary to what reporters would have you believe. They didn't have to come hunt him down. After he learned the extent of Kevin's condition he turned himself into police. I understand also that those closest to Kevin are grieving from his loss, they are angry at Matt and have every right to be. I don't so much fault them for what is being said to the media because they are hurt right now...but when someone offers up a picture of Matt, that was on every major news station, websight, and newspaper last night, for my children to see, and there teachers and friends that all know their Dad, that has been hard to swallow. When it was reported that Matt was waiting for an opportunity to get Kevin, and when he did he had every intention of causing him serious harm, by an officer, in the forth version of what happend that day, it just infuriated me. No one has talked to anyone on Matt's behalf. No one has attempted to follow up with the possibility that there is another side to this story, nor have they suggested that this was unintentional or that Matt feels horrible about what has happend. My children don't deserve this. They shouldn't have to see their Dad's picture posted up as a killer. I know Kevin's picture should be...but why Matt...and if you are going to post it...at least try to find out his side of the story, and report both.  I am trying to understand all of this, I am trying to be fair, and I am trying to protect my children, who will likely lose their father because of this unbelievable, inconceivable event.

Senseless2,

    I take it you are the one who called my work phone yesterday. Unfortunately, you didn't leave a phone number. We'd be happy to talk to Matt to get his side of the story. I'm not sure how to reach him, but if you want to help, call me at 395-7367.

   The police acknowledged their initial report about an argument first was incorrect. The witnesses, including Matt himself, say that Matt went up to Johnson from behind and hit him. I would suspect that Matt didn't mean to kill him.  

   We will follow this story today.

  You asked in another blog why are we reporting this story. It is a very unusual result from one punch at a major community event. It is absolutely newsworthy. As for both sides, everybody has a phone here. Our number is in the book.

Whatthe says: "Matt is a good guy,and has a kind heart, you guys dont know him or the sitution"

There isn't a situation which warrants a physical attack on another unless it is in self defense.

The perpetrator of a violent physical assault is subject to punishment for a variety of crimes ranging from simple misdemeanor assault and/or battery to various degrees of felonies including manslaughter or murder depending on the circumstances of the situation.

Prisons are full of "good" guys who never grew up and who are too dumb to think that a simple punch can cause great bodily harm or even kill, as occurred when Reed so stupidly decided to whack Johnson. 

Reed is just another of those idiots who think they can resolve life's issues with their fists.

Sadly, despite all the intelligent options available to him to resolve the issue, Reed chose the worst and dumbest.

Now, because of his foolish juvenile behavior, Reed will have plenty of time in the joint to grow up and ponder the relative importance of the guitar, money or whatever the piddly conflict was over, in the stark light of a maximum security cell.

And whatthe, if you are thinking that there is some justification for this sort of sociopathic behavior, you need to rethink your own flawed view.

Meanwhile, Reed is not going to find sympathy from Johnson's family, the courts or anyone else, except another like-minded jerk.

I can envision the thought bubble above whatthe's punkin right now Saber:

"whatthe????"

(suggest you dumb down [vastly] your comments to the questioning monickered one Saber)

Right, Chico.

I suspect he or she has heard all this before, perhaps from parents, teachers, school counselors, etc.

How about this:

Hey, whatthe, like, wake the f**k up, dude!!!

Like, you know, you don't get to pound on peoples' heads 'n stuff, stupid.

Noimsayn?

Like, do it  and you go to jail, 'n stuff like that.

"AIIIGHT!  Saber"!............

Senseless, This is my post from a differnet blog that no one is on.....

I feel for your children... I really do...BUT..Matt is a murder. He killed a man. His picture needs to be on the news. We all want to see what a man looks like that kills another man over a guitar. I don't care how the story went Kevin is dead. Kevin has children also....at least your children still have a dad...Kevin's children will never see their dad again. I know you would like a pitty party here but I feel Kevin's children are in a little bit worse shape than yours. I really hope they hunt Matt down after the autopsy is performed and arrest him for murder. We really need to stop making excuses. I was there when Matt hit Kevin. You should have seen Kevin's lifeless body. You should have seen people working on him and trying to save his life. I didn't even know Kevin and this whole ordeal has even affected my life. It is not the media's fault. It is not anyones fault but Matt's. Please place the blame where it is due...

senseless2 weather or not it was intentional or not does not matter. Matt is now officially a KILLER. Like it or not because of his actions his sons now have a Murderer for a father. Putting your hands on another human being is wrong.Sucker punching another human being is cowardly...................

Steve ,I think you can reach him at the downtown jail;)

Senseless2, that  names fits you. So, why you are posting the same story on the other threads, make sure you read all the comments. I feel for your children, after all they are the ones that suffer. Reality is their dad is a MURDERER. You are upset at the reporting, contact the media yourself, give your side.

oh puleeze

Pity the poor murderer.   Murderer's DO get their pictures in the paper.    waaah.

oh, and now that he has sobered up - poor Matt feels horrible that he killed his "friend".

SHE IS contacting the media.  THIS IS the media.  Just just gave her side.  Matt is not a murderer...someone is dead.  People get in fights all the time, it's a tragedy that death became of this one.  The truth will come out in court.  All of you who were not there have your side of the story which is obviously...GUILTY!  Guilty before a court trial.  When the autopsy results come back...you'll see.  And no this was not ALL Matt's fault, this was a mutual fight.  Even is Matt is found liable, he is not going to get a murder charge, it will more than likely be manslaughter as nothing was intentional here.   Even the POLICE have said that their first report was wrong.  

SO A SUCKER PUNCH FROM BEHIND IS A MUTUAL FIGHT....UMMMM

I was there!

He killed Kevin. Murder charge or not ....he is going to prison. This is Kern County ....he just might get the death penalty. .....oh well.

BUFFY- Matt is not a murderer...someone is dead.  Yes, someone is dead due a hit/punch from MATT. Are you senseless as well?

AND another thing BUFFY-When the autopsy results come back...you'll see.-We'll see what? alcohol, drugs? It don't matter at this point, he is DEAD, not coming back, at the morgue, whatever you call it.  I'd however be interested to see Matts toxicology reports.  I'm sure alcohol will be in his system, duh, he was as the beer fest but will anything else come back????

Oh and I like your profile pix-Never forgive Never forget, fitting?

You are all so witty with your one liners.  He is not a murder.  I'll say it again.  Look up the defenition of Murder....

timec, based on the facts released, so far, it sounds like a case of manslaughter, not murder. Besides, the DA's office has other defendants, who are black, to give the death penalty to first.

Murder or manslaughter-he killed another human being. May not have planned it that way but it happened, that's a fact!!

buffy

Were you there?  Did you witness it?  Have you been interviewed by the police?

Here ya go Buffy- http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Maybe not intentional, maybe not premeditated....but when you punch someone, be it in the face, the gut, the back of the head/neck, wherever, you take the risk of inflicting injury serious enough to cause death. 

Fights happen all the time?  Not among mature, civilized people.

'Nuff said!

yeagh Michele thanks for the link...it clarifys exactly what I am syaing..

Homicide is not always an illegal act.

I too was at the beer fest and had a great time.  My prayers go out to Kevin's family and Matt's.  However, you as a person, make your own choices in life and must pay the consequences for your own actions.  Fighting is the most senseless way to solve a problem because really it doesn't solve anything.  Look at how much worse this isssue is now.  One person is dead and one is going to jail.  That is the problem with all the meat heads, lets get drunk, and loud, and get in a fight.  Makes it a lot less fun for the rest off us that have to watch peoples lifeless bodies.   

Maybe not, but he puched and KILLED someone. So when will he be re-arrested? When they fully take the victim off the respirator, so his organs can be donated?

buffy -  STILL WAITING....

Were you there?  Did you witness it?  Have you been interviewed by the police?

Californian: Is there a reason the dead guy is shown in a tux and the alleged bad guy is shown shirtless? Were those the only pictures available? Pretty tacky.

michele, I know you feel strongly about this, but the law still has to be applied as it pertains to this situation. Intent is important when the DA decides what to charge someone with. Kind of like a vehicle accident. If you are fleeing the police and purposely run a red light, killing someone, that could be murder. But if the sun is in your eyes and you don't see the red light, and you run it a kill someone, it's different, even though both resulted in someone dying. Hopefully that helps.

Gr8scott- I always thought the family provided the pictures, I'm probably wrong(i don't work at the Californian) but wow,  look at the size difference of the 2.

Ob, it helps and I understand that. I also understand he won't go to prison for murder, probably manslaughter as you suggested. It just infuriates me that another sense of violence has occured, especially over a guitar? BTW, I am not involved in any part of this case, don't know these people but it's very disturbing. Maybe I should do some of my work here, :)

Nooooooo, Kevin's family gave those pictures...and that picture is really old of Matt.  Matt is short, he's not some huge guy.  

OB-

hahaha...You are so right! I just saw his picture...he's white. He will probably get community service at PAL ( Police Activities League) teaching boxing......

The DA probably won't and shouldn't even file charges. This is an annual event with big name sponsors.

An event sponsored by alcohol where alcohol is consumed, in huge quantities, I'm guessing. People are gonna be drunk and do stupid things. Hard to pin a guy down with a criminal act if he's drunk at a drinking event and has no intent.

The family of the victim will probably end up going the civil route against the alleged suspect, city and the sponsors of the event.

Buffy

He is short....I believe he was the Barney Bad Ass walking around without a shirt on......he may be short but he was pretty cut up.....

He better hope none of us is on the jury........

No the guy will plea out for 3 to 5 years.....

gr8scott, I cannot see any reason why the DA won't file charges against this guy. It is almost a certainty they will charge him with the appropriate felony/s. How it all plays out is another thing.

He had the intent to harm.  Otherwise, why hit someone?