Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Walkers plead guilty in Reed murder

Twin brothers entered into plea agreements for the murder of Harold Reed, a carnival worker killed Sept. 11, 2001.

Rodney Walker, 21, entered a plea of guilty on the charge of first degree murder, agreeing to a term of 30 years in the state penitentiary. He will be required to serve 70 percent of this sentence before being eligible for parole. This means Walker must serve a minimum of 21 years in prison.

His brother, Recordo, also 21, pled guilty as well, accepting a sentence of 20 years in prison. He, too, must serve 70 percent of the time, of 14 years for his part in the murder.

According to 8th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Randy Wright, the difference in the sentencing for the brothers was the degree of their involvement in the murder.

Earlier in October, Edwin Williams entered into a plea agreement with the court and was sentenced to 35 years in prison on first degree murder, and 20 years for robbery.

According to Nevada County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Graham, Williams must serve a minimum of 25 years before being eligible for parole.

Reed, 62, was murdered on Sept. 11, 2001. At the time a youth said he was walking on the street near the Nevada County Fairgrounds when he heard two shots.

A few seconds later, records state, the youth allegedly saw Williams, 18, and the Walkers, both 20, coming from the area the shots had been fired.

The youth reportedly told Clark Recordo said they had shot a man in the head and he was dead.

Reed's body was found on Sept. 14.

Additionally, Recordo Walker, had his probation revoked on a criminal mischief charge from October 15, 2001.

He had originally been given a three-year probation, 40-hours of community service and fined $500 and court costs.

However, after he was charged with the Reed murder, and also pled guilty to breaking in Wolves Drive In, the court petitioned for the revocation.

Walker was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his part in the Wolves Drive In break-in and burglary.

The Walkers and Williams made their first appearance in court on Oct. 9, 2002.

Williams and the Walkers were told they were charged with capitol murder and told they could face the death penalty.

Because of the nature of the charges, no bond was allowed for the Walkers or Williams.

When the case first began, it was as a missing persons report.

Wayne Kohler, manager of the carnival, went to the Prescott Police Department on Sept. 13, 2001, to report Reed missing,

According to the initial police report, Kohler told officers Reed, 62, of Alexandria, Minn., had last been seen on Sept. 11, leaving the fairgrounds with two black males and hadn't been seen since.

Kohler said Reed was mentally challenged, having the mind of a second grader, and had several medications he was required to take.

On Sept. 14, 2001, PPD officer Ann Jordan and criminal investigator Morris Irvin were sent to the area of West Pine North in reference to a dead person.

The officers met with the people who made the call, who said they had been walking by the fairgrounds when they noticed a tennis shoe and cap lying next to the road, and saw a large unknown object about 20 or 30 yards away in a wooded area.

They then noticed a strong odor which was described as smelling like a dead animal. The callers returned home and called the police.

Officers went to the intersection of Hall and Powell streets and noticed the odor.

Jordan secured the area as a crime scene, while Irvin walked toward the body.

It was later determined the body was that of Reed.

Because of a shooting incident in Stamps, the Walkers will now face charges in Lafayette County. This shooting occurred in October 2001.

According to Stamps Police Chief Rob Drake, the Walkers will be charged with the shooting, now that they have been sentenced in the Reed case.

Drake said he was willing to wait until Prescott finished with the Walkers in court before serving the warrants.

The Stamps shooting allegedly occurred after Monthrez Davis had gotten into a fight with members of the Disciples in Stamps.

Drake said the Stamps gang members reportedly called members of the Prescott Disciple gang to help get even with Davis.

The next night, Davis was driving around with his girlfriend, according to reports, when he was shot in the drive-by.

The assailants, who have been identified as Rodney and

Recordo Walker reportedly shot Davis with a shotgun filled with bird shot. Davis lost his right eye and some teeth in the attack, but survived.

He was initially taken to the Magnolia hospital, and later transferred to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, La.

Drake said the Walkers will eventually be charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle and involvement in criminal group activities.

The firearm charge is a class Y felony, punishable by 10-40 years or life in prison.

The criminal group activities is what is termed an "enhancement" charge, so if the drive-by charges are reduced, the sentence will be enhanced because of the "gang-related" involvement.