The trial of an Anderson County man accused of killing four of his wife’s family members will not begin Monday as planned after a judge ruled that some key evidence cannot be used.
Ross Vilardi was set to go on trial on Monday, Oct. 12. But a judge has suppressed evidence that investigators collected while searching Vilardi’s single-wide trailer, according to Robert Kittle with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.
When evidence is suppressed, it means prosecutors are not allowed to show it to the jury, usually because a judge finds a problem with how it was gathered. The Attorney General’s Office has not shared details about why the judge made the ruling.
Prosecutors appeal
Prosecutors appealed the decision right after the ruling. Because of that, the trial has been put on hold while the appeal moves forward.
The Attorney General’s Office says the case is now in appellate status. Vilardi could be eligible for another bond hearing, but no hearing has been scheduled yet.
The 2015 killings
The case dates back to 2015, when four people were found dead inside a home on Refuge Road in Pendleton. The victims were Mike and Cathy Scott, Cathy’s mother Violet Taylor, and Mike’s mother Barbara Scott.
Vilardi is charged in connection with their deaths.
His wife, Amy Vilardi, was convicted of all four murders earlier this year. She is serving four consecutive life sentences and has filed a notice of appeal.
Ross Vilardi is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
We’ll update this story as the case moves forward.
Source: South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, as reported by FOX Carolina