After four-and-a-half days of deliberations, the verdicts are in for the Craig Rideout murder trial:
The victim’s estranged wife, Laura Rideout, was found guilty on all counts: second degree murder, evidence tampering and burglary. Their son, Colin Rideout, was found guilty of murder and evidence tampering. Second son Alexander Rideout was found guilty of evidence tampering, but NOT guilty of murder. And Laura Rideout’s boyfriend, Paul Tucci, was found NOT guilty on all charges.
Juror Number 9…Clara Washington…says it was just a long process of sorting through large amounts of evidence. In the end, she says the jury was unanimous.
Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley says the huge amount of evidence made the jury take its time…but helped get the convictions. She says the video camera evidence that allowed a timeline of the murder to be put together was a factor in the convictions.
Craig Rideout’s mother said she had mixed feelings: glad to see justice for her son, but aware that two of those convicted are her grandchildren.
Paul Tucci has been set free. The other three defendants were led away in handcuffs and will be sentenced on September first. Colin Rideout’s lawyer says he’s already planning an appeal on the grounds that evidence against the other defendants tainted the jury against his client.