Trial begins for man accused of killing Pageland mother

PAGELAND, S.C. — A jury has officially been selected for the trial of a man accused of killing a Pageland mother.

In 2021, Emmanuel Bedford was supposed to take Diedre Reid to the bus station in Charlotte. But her family never saw her again.

Her body was never found, but her car was found with blood inside in a pond in South Carolina. Prosecutors believe Bedford killed her.

His trial began today.

Channel 9’s Tina Terry was at the courthouse in Chesterfield County today. The judge brought in 200 jurors and has selected a jury to allow the trial to commence.

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Bedford’s trial was supposed to begin in April, but the judge was forced to delay the trial when only 39 of the 150 jurors called to court showed up.

After the juror qualification and selection process, too few jurors remained to move forward.

Reid’s family members left the courthouse feeling like their closure had been delayed after four years of waiting for a trial.

“It’s a long time,” said James Reid, the victim’s brother. “It’s sad. I’m at a loss for words. I’m sad. I’m upset. This is crazy.”

Monday, Deidre Reid’s sister, Tina Reid, took the stand, holding back tears. She said Deidre never would have left her kids behind.

“We looked for her for two days. And we came back and we looked for her in Charlotte,” Tina Reid said.

Family members said they had been suspicious of Bedford from the beginning and searched his hometown of Augusta, Georgia, for Deidre Reid.

In court, the solicitor played a video of the family confronting Bedford on the phone, demanding to know Deidre’s whereabouts.

“Tell us where she at so these kids can quit crying,” family members said over the phone. “Just tell us where Deidre’s at so them kids can quit crying. Just tell us where she’s at.”

Even though Deidre’s body hasn’t been found, her sister Monaca Reid testifies that she believes her sister has passed.

“Do you hold out any hope of Diedre still being alive?” Monaca was asked in court.

“No, if she was, she would have come to her kids,” she responded. “She has a daughter with diabetes and a son... She never would have left her kids.”

Bedford has pleaded not guilty to all charges. More testimony is expected tomorrow.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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

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

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