Reshad Riddle, an ex-convict charged with killing his father at an Easter Sunday church service in Ohio, made rambling comments during an appearance in court and the prosecutor requested a psychiatric evaluation.
Riddle, the 25-year-old suspect, appeared Monday afternoon in Ashtabula Municipal Court in an orange jail jumpsuit with his ankles and wrists in chains.
The bearded Riddle made rambling comments about God and said he wanted to be treated fairly. The prosecutor asked for $1 million bail and, if he makes it, a psychiatric evaluation and 24-hour monitoring.
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No plea was entered on an aggravated murder charge and two weapons counts.
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Police say he went to the church and killed his father, 52-year-old Richard Riddle, with a single shot from a handgun Sunday afternoon. Worshippers fled in panic.
Ann Riddle, sister of the victim and aunt of the suspect, said later the family knew of no possible motive.
Riddle, receiving friends at the family home, called her brother a loving and caring family member. “He was a devoted family member, he was always there for the family. He cared a lot about people,” said Riddle, who declined to comment on other aspects of the case.
After shooting the victim, the gunman then walked down the side aisle of the church, decorated with lilies for Easter, and sent panicked worshippers crawling over blue padded pews, running for the doors and climbing out windows in adjacent rooms.
“He seemed to be like he was deranged. I don’t know if he was on something,” Sargent said while arranging a group counseling session for traumatized church members.
“My suspicion is that he may have been on something, some mind-altering chemical that caused him to act out like he did.”
Associate Pastor Sean Adams told The (Ashtabula) Star Beacon newspaper that Reshad Riddle walked through the church, still holding the gun, and yelled that the killing was “the will of Allah. This is the will of God.”
