Former CCSO deputy Emily Pelletier takes stand in reckless homicide trial; closing arguments set for Monday

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Closing arguments will begin Monday in the trial of former Charleston County deputy Emily Pelletier, who is charged with three counts of reckless homicide in a May 2022 crash that killed a woman and her two daughters.

The state and defense rested their cases on Friday, but not without first hearing from Pelletier and her recollection of the crash.

Pelletier stated, clearly, that she did not see the stop sign before driving onto Highway 17 from New Road. The former CCSO deputy explained that she looked down at her CAD computer to get the latest information on a disabled vehicle call she was responding to.

She testified that she did not see the other car, and if she had seen the stop sign or the victim’s car, she would have slammed on the brakes and swerved out of the way.

Pelletier also said she did turn her lights on while responding to the call.

The defendant was emotional on the stand while addressing family and friends of the three women who died in the crash.

“I wanted to say how sorry I am for what happened. I never wanted to hurt anybody. I started this line of work to help people. I know that nothing I say will change anything, but if I could do anything, I would take their place and give you back Stephanie, Shanice, and Miranda, and I wish it was me in the tree line and I wish they were never there,” she said.

Closing arguments will take place on Monday, and the judge will charge the jury with their instructions before deliberations begin.