Murder trial delayed for teen with alleged ‘West Savannah’ gang ties

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A jury trial scheduled this week for 18-year-old Rodobaldo Quinton Portuondo, the teenager accused of murdering 19-year-old J’Quan Reed in downtown Savannah last year, has been delayed.

Portuondo’s attorney, James Byrne, filed court paperwork last month citing a scheduling conflict. Tuesday in court, his attorney said there’s a plea offer that he is still discussing with the defendant and his family.

Also, there is a small amount of discovery, a short video of law enforcement responding to the scene, and all sides need to go over it.

The Medical Examiner is also temporarily out of town. The Judge reiterated that if a date is set, it needs to be followed through on. He noted that the defendant was arraigned a year ago.

Portuondo, who is now 18, is charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to his indictment.

He is accused of the fatal shooting of J’Quan Reed on February 10, 2024.

Savannah Police responded to the intersection of Barnard Street and Bay Lane that night, where Reed was found with critical injuries. He later died at Memorial Hospital.

The weekend of the shooting was marked by a spike in gun violence across the city, with multiple shootings and several people injured.

WTOC reported Reed’s death was one of two fatal shootings reported that weekend, drawing public attention.

9 days after the shooting, Portuondo turned himself in to law enforcement in Bradenton Beach, Florida. He was booked into the Manatee County Jail and later extradited back to Chatham County.

According to his jail records from the sheriff’s office, Portuondo is affiliated with the ‘West Savannah’ gang.

As of Tuesday, no new date was announced.