PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A 17-year-old and his mother charged in connection with the murder of the woman’s boyfriend last summer were arraigned Friday morning in Providence County Superior Court. Justice Robert D. Krause set a pretrial conference for Feb. 13, and said he anticipates that the trial of the two will begin in mid-May.
Cranston resident Xavier Vidot, who turns 18 in March, is accused of shooting and killing Valdez Loiseau, 24, the boyfriend of Vidot’s mother, Melonie Perez. Loiseau’s burning body was found July 18 off Route 95 in Attleboro. Cranston police say they have evidence that the man was shot in the back of the head and torso.
A grand jury earlier this month indicted Vidot on a charge of murder and using a firearm while committing a crime of violence. Perez, 36, was indicted on charges of failing to report Loiseau’s death, misprision of a felony, and compounding a felony.
Judge Krause kept the conditions of bail previously set for the mother and son: Perez is free on $10,000 personal cognizance, and Vidot is free on $30,000 bail with surety but must abide by terms of home confinement to his grandparents’ residence. Both mother and son live, separately now, in Cranston.
Vidot told the court that “I’m trying to find a job but it’s difficult being on home confinement,” but the judge said the terms of his confinement, which allow him to work and attend classes, were reasonable and he denied the defendant’s request to change them.
Judge Krause also denied the state’s request that Vidot be held without bail on the basis of him being a flight risk. No evidence was introduced that Vidot had left the state since his arrest last summer, or that he intends to do so.
Citing what he called the “delicate situation” of the case and Vidot’s “youth and unresolved issues that have to be investigated,” District Court Magistrate Joseph Ippolito Jr. in August set the terms of bail and home confinement.
“Including the fact that it is quite remarkable the state is alleging two different handguns were used in this matter, both by this defendant,” Ippolito said then. “What is rather curious ... the details of this situation and what happened that night have not been fully revealed to the state at this time.”
Vidot was waived out of Family Court in July to be charged as an adult.