Testimonies begin in Pageland murder trial; defendant represents himself

PAGELAND, S.C. — Testimonies have begun 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.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

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