Call Kurtis Investigates: Why Wasn't $50K Reward Paid in Councilman Matt Garcia's Murder?
FAIRFIELD (CBS13) — It's been seven years since the youngest city councilmember in Fairfield history was gunned down. He was killed less than a year into his term after running on a platform of stopping youth violence. A role model for Fairfield's kids was gone.
"He was like an older brother to me," said a crying teenager grieving at the time.
"He was all about a change and now it can't happen," said Jessie Amaya in September of 2008. Amaya was mugged and murdered four years later.
A Mother Needs to Know Who Did This
The story grabbed the attention of Joyce Williams who knew what Matt's family was going through.
"My son had been murdered," she said.
In 1985, her own 19-year-old son John Gilbert was shot outside a nightclub in Richmond. No one was ever convicted of the murder.
"I feel bad for the mothers that are losing their children," she said.
The Unexpected Confession
Little did she know, her own handyman would come to her with a shocking confession.
"It was just eating him up," she recalls.
She says Gene Combs admitted he was in the getaway car the night Matt Garcia was shot. She convinced him to turn himself in and drove him to the Fairfield Police station where both were questioned.
"Like I told him, the mother wants to know who did this," she recalls telling Combs.
Juries convicted Combs and Gunman Henry Don Williams for their roles in Matt's murder. Prosecutors say it was a case of mistaken identity over a $50 drug debt.
A Grateful Mother
Matt's mom, Teresa Courtemanche is forever grateful to Joyce.
"I don't know what it would be like not knowing who killed my child," she said. "She (Joyce) understood the depth of what that meant to know who killed your kid."
Reward Money
Teresa is also thankful the city of Fairfield, Solano County and the Governor's office each put up $50,000 in reward money to help solve the case. The city and county each paid out their $50-thousand to Joyce and four others. However, the Governor's $50,000 reward which has sat in California's general fund was never paid to anyone.
"I don't know why they're holding onto it," Joyce said.
Governor's Office Requirements
The Governor's office told CBS13 it's happy to pay out the reward, but under California law it can't without a recommendation from both the District Attorney and Chief Enforcement Officer in the case. CBS13 learned neither the then Solano County District Attorney nor the then Fairfield Police Chief ever wrote those letters before they left their positions.
Crime Victims' Advocate
Lynn Brown of Crime Alert says that isn't acceptable and it's dangerous if the system doesn't pay out rewards to people like Joyce who risk their lives to come forward.
"It's really a thank you for keeping the public safer for helping someone get the justice they deserve," Lynn said.
The Governor's office told us the current Police Chief and District Attorney can still write those letters. After reaching out to current Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams, she agreed to sit down with Joyce. We were outside after that meeting.
"I feel like I'm getting somewhere," said an optimistic Joyce.
Letters Written
Then finally, the Solano County District Attorney's office wrote a letter to the Governor confirming Joyce Williams was helpful in the arrest of Gene Combs. After we contacted the Fairfield Police Department, Chief Joe Allio wrote a similar letter. However, the letters stopped short of recommending Joyce or anyone else receive the reward. The Governor's office told us the law is clear. Without the specific recommendations, the state can't pay out that money.
We asked Matt's mom what he would think of this. "He would be upset," Teresa answered. "And he would keep going to find out what's going on, just like Joyce is doing."
Unable to Get Answers
We struggled to get the District Attorney or the Police Chief to explain why they didn't recommend the reward. At one point, District Attorney Abrams told us over the phone the letter her agency wrote was factual and she wasn't sure the reward should be paid out because it wasn't a capital murder case. The Governor's office told us it didn't matter whether it was a capital murder case.
We then requested internal emails within the Police Department and District Attorney's office surrounding this reward money and our story. The District Attorney claimed under law, they didn't need to share them. The Police Department shared limited emails, which didn't net any information about who helped them solve the case.
Chief Allio then revised his letter to recommend Joyce and four others collect the reward money. That was only half the battle. The D.A. still needed to write a letter. We put in 33 phone calls to her office since May. We decided to pay her a visit. While on the property, D.A. Abrams called us on our cell phone, saying she also would write the recommendation.
Telling Joyce
It seemed fitting to invite Joyce to the Matt Garcia Career and College Academy in Fairfield to share the news.
"Oh, that is so wonderful," Joyce said. "I feel good".
Saying Thanks
Matt's Mom never had the chance to thank Joyce.
"She's a wonderful woman," Teresa Courtemanche said.
To this day, Joyce says she still thinks of Matt's mom.
"Would you like to me her?" Kurtis asked.
"Of course."
What Joyce doesn't know, Teresa is in the hallway waiting to meet her.
Two Moms of Murdered Kids Meet
"Hi Teresa," Joyce said. "Can I give you a hug?"
The two mom's held each other in an emotional embrace. They are both part of a club no mother wants to join. The club of knowing what it's like to lose a child.
"Last month was thirty years since my son was murdered," Joyce told Teresa. "It never heals. I felt so so bad for you."
"Thank you so much," Teresa said. "And thank you for what you did."
"You're welcome," Joyce responded. "It was a right thing to do."
Payment
The Governor's office says it's now working with the State Controller's office to issue the five checks. Joyce will get $12,500. The Police Department and District Attorney would not tell us the roles the others played in helping solve the case. Since 1967, 294 Governor's rewards have been issued to help solve cases. We've learned with this reward, 26 have been paid out.
Keeping the Dream Alive
Matt's family is still carrying out his mission with the Matt Garcia Foundation aimed at supporting Fairfield's kids and stopping youth violence.
