KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaD.A. Cross-examines Wilbert Rideau
January 13, 2005
Reported by Theresa Schmidt
Wilbert Rideau spent the day on the hot seat as his 4th trial for murder continues in state district court. Calcasieu D.A. Rick Bryant had his chance to question Rideau -- since he decided to take the witness stand in his own defense.
The 1961 confession of Wilbert Rideau that was broadcast on KPLC-TV just after his arrest was shown to the jury by the defense. The film shows Rideau admitting to the crime as he's questioned by then-Sheriff Ham Reid. Reid: "Tell what happened when you went back to the older woman as she was laying on the road." Rideau: "I stabbed her." Reid: "You stabbed her? What was it with, a hunting knife?" Rideau: "A hunting knife."
Rideau, still on the witness stand in his own defense, explained he thought they were going to kill him when they brought him into the room. Rideau says he saw bright TV lights but didn't know what they were. Says Rideau, "I had never seen a television camera before. All I saw were bright lights and shadowy figures." Rideau told the jury, "I expected to be killed. I thought this must be the electric chair I'd heard about. I thought they were going to execute me."
Rideau's version of what happened is that he planned to rob the bank, lock the people inside, give his mother some money and catch a bus out of town. And only shot three bank employees and killed one, when they tried to run off.
Rideau's choice to take the witness stand meant he must also undergo rigorous questioning by prosecutors. On cross examination District Attorney Rick Bryant got Rideau to admit the hostages did plead for their lives. In response to Rideau's claims he panicked, Bryant pointed out testimony and evidence suggesting murder victim Julia Ferguson was shot at close range, and that the decision to stab her in the chest and cut her throat nearly to the point of decapitation contradicts Rideau's statement that he never intended to commit murder.
Additional outside media that have been or are in town covering the trial now include: Newsweek, the Washington Post, National Public Radio and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Others mentioned earlier include the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronical, Times Picayune and Associated Press.
