Making Evidence Matter - Tying Together 700 Pieces of Evidence
How OSCR360 aided In the Craig Rideout trial convictions
Rideout Trial Case Background
In July 2017, the joint trial of Laura Rideout, Colin Rideout, Alex Rideout and Paul Tucci began for the murder of Craig Rideout.
Laura, Craig’s estranged wife, Colin and Alex, Craig’s eldest sons, and Paul, Laura’s boyfriend, appeared in court on charges of second degree murder and tampering with physical evidence.
How OSCR360 organized the evidence in an exceedingly complex trial that resulted in multiple murder convictions.
The trial was long and complex, leaving jurors with over 700 pieces of evidence, multiple crime scene locations, and 50 witnesses to sort through during the grueling five week trial. It was complex for the prosecution to present, and complex and cumbersome for the jury to analyze.
On the final day of the Rideout trial during closing arguments, a revolutionary new technology was used by the Prosecution. During closing arguments, Prosecution cued up the OSCR360 presentation on the jurors’ and courtroom TVs. The members of the jury immediately sat up and started to pay closer attention, as evidenced by their body language. The majority of the jury went from slumped over and barely awake, to sitting up straight, alert and very interested in the visual presentation of evidence on the courtroom televisions.
The OSCR360 presentation from the Prosecution displayed a complicated case in a manner that connected and resonated with the Jury. The jury was provided with a visual walkthrough timeline of events and evidence that included leading up to and following the murder of Craig Rideout. The OSCR360 presentation provided a succinct, compelling recap of the most important details of a complicated five week trial with four defendants, the result was more clarity for the jury before deliberations began.
OSCR360 in the Courtroom for Closing Arguments
“Prior to [OSCR360] being used… the jury was… paying attention but you could tell they were tired – mentally tired. As soon as [OSCR360 evidence] came on, they all sat up out of their chairs and looked forward at the screen and really got engaged to see this visual depiction of what had happened.”
Why did OSCR360 matter?
There are many scientific ways to analyze and present evidence. At the end of the day, what matters is if the jury correctly understands what’s being presented to them.
From the prosecution’s perspective – OSCR360 helped connect all the dots. From the jury’s perspective, OSCR helped them understand all the dots which included over 700 pieces of evidence. OSCR360 told the story in a visual presentation that was simple to understand and easy to digest.
- OSCR360 helped show cell phone tower pings of Craig Rideout's cell phone in various locations on a map embedded in the software
- Security camera footage also showed vehicles that were connected to the murder
- Photographic evidence was organized in away that could connect each defendant to specific pieces of evidence by the Prosecution
- OSCR was used for pre-trial preparation and helped to organize timelines and pertinent evidence in the case
In conclusion, every juror saw the same virtual walkthrough of the events and evidence on their courtroom televisions.
[Video] A Difference Maker in the Craig Rideout Murder Trial
“I thought [OSCR360] helped consolidate all the information we had to consider and make things clearer…”
The Craig Rideout Murder Trial Results
Laura rideout
In July 2017, Laura Rideout was convicted of Murder in the 2nd Degree, Tampering with Evidence, and Burglary.
In October 2017, Laura Rideout received the maximum possible sentences of 25 years to life, 1 1/3 to 4 years and 15 years in consecutive sentences.
Colin rideout
In July 2017, Colin Rideout was convicted of Murder in the 2nd Degree and Tampering with Evidence.
Colin Rideout received the maximum possible sentences of 25 years to life and 1 1/3 to 4 years in consecutive sentences.
Alex Rideout
In July 2017, Alex Rideout was convicted of Tampering with Evidence.
In October 2017, he was sentenced to 1/3 to 4 years for each count of evidence tampering.
Paul Tucci
Paul Tucci was found not guilty on all charges related to the murder of Craig Rideout.
Interested in seeing OSCR360?
Contact us to schedule an in person or web demonstration.
About OSCR360
OSCR360 is a two part system made up of a 360 degree capture kit and software. OSCR partners with you on crime scene investigations, crash investigations, fire service, emergency management planning, forensic science curriculum, active shooter preplanning and more.
Contact Us
Interested in learning more about OSCR360 for your agency?
Fill out the contact form and Julianne will get back to you within one hour on the same business day.