Did a Louisiana father use his 6-year-old son as an alibi for murder?
Did a Louisiana father use his 6 – Over two decades, Reginald Reed Jr., affectionately called Reggie, grappled with the mystery of his mother Selonia Reed’s disappearance. Selonia, a bank teller, was 26 when her body was discovered in her car in Hammond, Louisiana. Reggie’s final recollection of that day was his mother purchasing a chocolate chip cookie at Hammond Square Mall. He also remembers her kissing him goodbye, though the events leading to her death remain unclear.
The Discovery
On a sweltering August 1987 afternoon, Selonia’s lifeless body was found inside her blue Chevy Sprint, parked in a lot just over a mile from their home. Authorities noted she had been beaten, stabbed repeatedly, and stripped naked. Her sexual assault was evident, raising questions about the circumstances of her murder.
The Husband’s Statement
Selonia’s husband, Reginald Reed Sr., reported her missing just an hour before her body was discovered. He told police that Selonia had informed him she was going out with a girlfriend the previous night. However, the girlfriend later contradicted this, claiming they had no plans to meet. Despite the inconsistency, Reginald maintained his version of events.
The Alibi
During the investigation, police learned Selonia had confided in relatives about Reginald’s physical abuse and her desire to divorce. Yet, Reggie, then just six, was questioned after his father granted permission. A videotaped interview with a detective showed Reggie recounting that they spent the evening playing video games and sleeping on the same sofa bed, effectively vouching for his father’s story. Years later, watching the video, Reggie broke down, recalling his childlike longing for his parents.
“I just can’t imagine what it’s like as a 6-year-old to have to sit there,” said Vladimir Duthiers. “Looking at that, it’s still hard to believe that that’s me,” Reggie added. “Watching that video just brings back so … so many questions and — and pain because … I see me crying.”
The Unraveling
Reggie’s memoir, “The Day My Mother Never Came Home,” chronicles his memories and the emotional toll of the case. He didn’t suspect his father’s guilt until 2012, when a Texas Ranger visited his home. At 31, with a college degree and a job in San Antonio’s pharmaceutical industry, Reggie was stunned by the news. “I was like, where’s this coming from?” he recalled.
By 2022, new evidence led to Reginald and his alleged accomplice, Jimmy Ray Barnes, being indicted for second-degree murder. Barnes, a friend, agreed to testify against Reginald in exchange for a five-year sentence. In November of that year, Reginald was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. According to Lt. Barry Ward, the lead investigator, Reginald likely killed Selonia in their bedroom while Reggie slept and then moved her body to the car before placing it in the parking lot.
Despite the conviction, Reggie remains in doubt. “I want justice, but I didn’t think justice was gonna come at the price of my dad going to prison for life,” he told Duthiers. “Do you believe that your father murdered your mother?” asked the interviewer. “I don’t know … another question — do I think my dad had some involvement? Maybe. I don’t know though. I don’t know. So that’s where I’m just, it’s like a tug-of-war game,” Reggie reflected.
A Father’s Legacy
Reggie struggles to reconcile the state’s claims with the father he knew. He acknowledges Reginald’s love, the private school education he provided, and the values he instilled. “Just knowing the type of father he is,” Reggie said, “I can’t just turn a page and look at my father as a complete monster.”
