Next hearing set for January
Morgan Hill – The man accused of killing former Garlic Queen Franca Barsi winked and smiled at family members, who packed one side of the South County Courthouse Thursday. On the other side, Barsi’s family sat, stone-faced, as attorneys delayed David Reyes’ plea another month, to Jan. 26.
Reyes is accused of the murder of Barsi, the single mother Reyes dated on and off before her body was found Sept. 13 at her condominium on Westwood Drive. Friends mourned Barsi, recalling her talent and spark. Her death left her 10-year-old son Andrew bereft, dozens of friends and relatives dazed.
The next day, after an hour-long car chase from San Jose to Gilroy and back, Reyes submitted to police, confessing to Barsi’s murder, Detective Mitch Madruga said. The two had quarreled, and Reyes said he had killed her in anger.
His criminal record is blotched with battery, assault and armed robbery. A month before his arrest, Reyes was listed in The Dispatch as one of Gilroy’s Most Wanted; he also failed to register as a sex offender.
Reyes’ plea has now been delayed twice since Oct. 20. As he rose to leave, his family lingered in the courtroom. Only when he was out of the room, and the door had completely shut, did the crowd file slowly out of the room.
Emily Alpert covers public safety issues for The Dispatch. She can be reached at 847-7158, or at ea*****@************ch.com.
