Closure delayed for family after not enough jurors showed up for accused killer’s trial

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. — A family of South Carolina mother who was killed was hoping to get justice this week, but not enough potential jury members showed up to court on Monday.

“The way I feel right now, I feel like Chesterfield County has let the family down again,” said James Reid, the victim’s brother.

The judge was forced to delay the trial for the man accused of killing Deidre Reid.

Some of them even stormed out of the courthouse.

“The justice system always letting us down,” said James Reid.

He thought Monday would be the start of justice for his sister, but he left the courthouse outraged.

It has taken four years to get to this point.

“It’s a long time,” he said. “It’s sad. I’m at a loss for words. I’m sad. I’m upset. This is crazy.”

The trial was delayed due to issues with juror selection. Just 39 of the 150 jurors called to court showed up.

After the juror qualification and selection process, only 12 jurors remained.

If both sides agreed on the number of jurors, the trial could have moved forward.

Solicitor Kernard Redmond said he was OK moving forward, but the defense was against it.

“This is the first time it’s ever happened in my career,” Redmond said. “I’ve never experienced where we’re not able to go forward with a trial.”

The jury was supposed to decide on Emmanuel Bedford’s fate. He was charged with killing Deidre Reid.

Detectives said she took him to a Charlotte bus station in 2021 but never returned.

Her car was found days later in a South Carolina pond with blood in it. Her body was never found.

“You have to have people show up to jury duty,” Redmond said. “If they don’t, the system does not work, and unfortunately, this is an example of that.”

“I was just hoping we were able to come to court today and get a little bit of closure,” said James Reid.

The clerk said eligible jurors may have moved but didn’t change drivers’ licenses or take their names off the voter rolls.

Others may have just decided not to come.

The judge has rescheduled the trial for June 16.

He has asked the clerk to bring 250 potential jurors rather than the standard 150 to ensure this trial moves forward.

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