PAGELAND, S.C. — The murder trial of Emmanuel Bedford is underway in South Carolina, with emotional testimony and key evidence presented as prosecutors argue he killed Deidre Reid, a mother who vanished in 2021, and was never seen again.
Wednesday, June 17, 2025
On Wednesday, the trial continued with prosecutors presenting evidence related to the disappearance of Deidre Reid.
Bedford initially requested a plea deal from prosecutors but later withdrew his request without providing a clear reason.
During cross-examination, Bedford asked James Reid about surveillance images of Deidre’s SUV at a gas station in York County on the day of her disappearance.
During cross-examination, Bedford asked James Reid about surveillance images of Deidre’s SUV at a gas station in York County on the day of her disappearance.
A cell tower location analyst testified that Deidre Reid’s cell phone was last detected in the Charlotte area around 2 PM on the day she disappeared. The phone was turned back on over five hours later in the Augusta, Georgia area.
Reid’s SUV was discovered days later in a pond in Aiken County, and a DNA analyst testified that blood found in the vehicle likely belonged to Deidre Reid.
James Reid, Deidre’s brother, testified that he is certain his sister is no longer alive. During cross-examination, Bedford questioned James about surveillance images of Deidre’s SUV at a gas station in York County on the day of her disappearance.
Prosecutors have stated that Emmanuel Bedford was seen driving the SUV at the gas station in York County. The cross-examination of James Reid lasted over 30 minutes and was reportedly heated at times.
In addition to the charges related to Reid’s disappearance, Bedford is also charged with escaping from the Chesterfield County Jail in 2023. He was injured during the escape and was found a few yards away after slipping away from a guard while making a phone call.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Testimonies began in the murder trial of a South Carolina mother who left home and never returned.
Emmanuel Bedford is charged with the murder of Deidre Reid, who was last seen in 2021.
Channel 9’s Tina Terry learned Bedford fired his attorney and will be representing himself in this trial.
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After the attorney left the courtroom, prosecutors continued with the direct examination of Pageland Police Captain Shane Whitley.
Whitley said he interviewed Beford on the phone after Reid’s disappearance. He said Beford insisted that Reid drive him to a Charlotte bus station on Sept. 3. However, he missed the bus, so she brought him back that night, and he got on another bus heading towards Augusta, Georgia.
However, according to Whitley, surveillance video did not capture this.
“He never entered the bus, and the Chevy Tahoe never entered the bus station,” Whitley elaborated.
Prosecutors also showed video from the Flying J Gas Station in Rock Hill, where they said Bedford was spotted getting out of the victim’s car, pumping gas, and buying beer. However, Reid was not seen.
Video was also shown of Reid’s car, which was eventually discovered in a South Carolina pond. Her blood was found inside it, according to police.
Of course, prosecutors said Bedford murdered Reid, but he has pleaded not guilty.
Reid’s sister took the stand yesterday, telling the jury that even though Deidre’s body hasn’t been found, she believes she is no longer living.
“If she was, she would have come to her kids,” Monaca Reid said. “She has a daughter with diabetes and a son with chronic asthma; she never would have left her kids.”
VIDEO: Trial begins for man accused of killing Pageland mother
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