Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. He also serves as a part-time Prosecutor for the 14th Judicial Circuit, the bio says. June 7: Alex Murdaugh calls 911 and reports he found his wife Margaret (known as Maggie), 52, and son Paul, 22, . Award-winning journalist Mandy Matney has been investigating the Murdaugh family since that fateful night in 2019. Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian holds Buster Murdaugh's .300 Blackout rifle, similar to the one used to kill Buster Murdaugh's mother, during Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, in Walterboro, S.C. (Jeff Blake/The State via AP, Pool). Smith was found dead just before 4:00 a.m. EDT on July 8, 2015 in the middle of Sandy Run Road in Hampton County, South Carolina. Murdaugh, 54, has pleaded not guilty to two counts . Day 25 of the Alex Murdaugh trial begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, with Murdaugh's defense team continuing their case. In addition to disputing scientific testimony from Murdaughs expert witnesses, these final State witnesses served to hammer home and reinforce a point prosecutors have made time and again throughout the trial: Murdaugh, after demonstrating a pattern of deceit, lies, manipulation and callous disregard for others during a decade-long crime spree, also lied to police early and often throughout this criminal investigation and prosecution. They asked for jurors to be allowed to visit the property in order to help them understand how small the storage room is where Paul Murdaugh was killed and the distance between the two bodies. Before Pauls death, there had been little-to-no movement in the criminal case against him but a civil case (.pdf) filed by Mallory Beachs mother had ramped up and was inching closer to trial. Court documents did not specify how Alex Murdaugh was connected to Satterfields 2018 death. Murdaugh said he found Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and their son Paul, . SLED is leading the investigation after the sheriffs office noted a conflict of interest due to Alex Murdaughs work as a prosecutor. Attorneys began their closing arguments Wednesday in the double murder trial of former South Carolina attorney Richard Alex Murdaugh. Latest Videos. Did he beg you for his life? He described his father as a doting and devoted parent who "coached every Little League team I played on." Paul was at the helm of his father's . Anthony Cook begged Paul Murdaugh, who was driving the boat at the time of the incident, to please let him drive, deputySteven Domino the deputy who was fired last summer wrote in his report. Criminal defense attorney Phil Holloway says the prosecution is conducting a master class on how not to conduct a cross-examination.. You become invincible in a way and you get a little liquor and you think youre untouchable.. He had pleaded not guilty to the allegations that he crashed his fathers 17-foot boat into a bridge full throttle after a drunken argument with friends on board. On July 14, 2022, Murdaugh family patriarch Alex was formally indicted for the murders of his wife and youngest son. The video was created by a private investigator asked to follow Paul Murdaugh to gather evidence in a wrongful death suit filed by Mallory Beach's family. He was awarded South Carolina's top honor for assertive journalism in 2020. But there was no blood spatter or DNA linking the killings to Alex Murdaugh or anyone else, and prosecutors never laid out how they think Murdaugh could have killed his family, cleaned himself up, disposed of the clothes and weapons, and composed himself in the 15-minute window before GPS data shows he left the property to visit his ailing mother. Authorities are investigating the possibility that Paul was the main target of the attack. The suspect or suspects are not clear; neither is the motive, authorities said, though they said there is no danger to the public, according to FITSNews. Mandy also hosts the Murdaugh Murders podcast. State of South Carolina v. Richard Alexander Murdaugh is an ongoing American criminal case in the fourteenth circuit of the South Carolina Circuit Court in which Murdaugh is accused of the murders of his wife and their 22-year-old son in June 2021. Legal Statement. Murdaugh, 21, was from Hampton, South Carolina. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Waters said that Murdaugh only admitted to lying to investigators about his whereabouts at the time of the killings because witnesses testified that his voice could be heard on the video. Murdaugh initially told police he was not at the kennels before finding the bodies there, butadmitted in court his voice could be heard on avideo taken on his sons cellphoneminutes before prosecutors believe the killings happened. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? "Having suffered the devastating loss of their own daughter, the family prays that the Murdaughs can find some level of peace from this tragic loss. So many unanswered questions surround not only Mondays shocking slayings, but several other suspicious deaths connected to the Murdaughs one of the wealthiest, most prominent families in South Carolina. He was an openly gay young man in the small town of Hampton, South Carolina, which wasnt easy, but he made the best of it, his friends told FITSNews. She also said she believed that the Murdaughs influence extended to all realms of the investigation and was initially tainted when it was ruled a hit-and-run incident (see below for part of Sandy Smiths letter). Murdaugh, who is separately facing morethan100 other criminal charges,also admitted to stealing money from clientsand orchestrating a botched assisted suicide scheme. Authorities have not released many details. The disgraced lawyer and his attorneys have repeatedly denied any role in the deaths. A family connected to power and mysterious deaths. In September 2016, Stephens mother Sandy Smith wrote a letter to lawmakers and police agencies pleading for help and claiming corruption in the investigation. Evidence showed Murdaugh began stealing more money after a fatal 2019 boat crash involving his son Paul and he was confronted by his law firmjust days before a hearing was scheduled in theboat case, Waters said. The Murdaugh family, with Maggie and Paul in the center. After you finish Netflix's Alex Murdaugh series, continue on HBO, CNN, podcasts, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. FITSnews reported through sources that a Murdaugh family member is a person of interest, and that R. Alexander Murdaugh Pauls dad and Maggies husband is a central focus of the probe. The site noted that he has an alibi but quoted a source as saying there are credible concerns about when the shootings happened and said authorities are looking into possible manipulation of the crime scene.. "The forensic timeline puts him there. She currently lives on Hilton Head Island where she enjoys beach life. As per reports now, Maggie and her husband Richard Alexander 'Alex' Murdaugh, prominent South Carolina attorney, may have been having marital troubles at the time of the double murder. Defense questions Paul's head wound and presents the possibility of a . This is the 20th day of testimony. The 22-year-old man from a prominent South Carolina family who was found murdered with his mother reportedly had other brushes with the law in addition to being charged in a 2019 drunken boat . Industry Insight Recommended change management practices to plan, build, then deploy successful legal tech. Legal Statement. The family of Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina attorney accused of defrauding legal clients and carrying out a failed suicidal fraud scheme, has been told he could soon be indicted on . On February 23, 2019, Mallory boarded Paul Murdaugh's boat along with her boyfriend Anthony Cook, his cousin Connor Cook, Connor's girlfriend Miley Altman, as well as Paul Murdaugh and Morgan Daughty. However, with Alex Murdaugh now facing charges related to alleged financial offenses and murder, they [] She still has outgoing Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) requests on the investigation. Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were a mother and son from a prominent South Carolina family who were found shot to death at the family's Colleton County hunting lodge, "Moselle," on June 7, 2021 . On July 14, 2022, Murdaugh family patriarch Alex was formally indicted for the murders of his wife and youngest son. Crime. Murdaugh's fear that his decade-long theft would be exposed and his desire to maintain his lofty standing in the community led him to make sure his wife and younger son were at the family's Colleton County home on June 7, 2021, so that he could kill them as part of a clever plan aided by his knowledge of how criminal cases are constructed, prosecutor Creighton Waters told jurors. Did he have the chance to fight back? The Murdaughs are a powerful legal family in South Carolina. Paul suffered wounds to his upper body and head from what appeared to have been a shotgun, while an assault rifle is thought to have been used to kill 52-year-old Maggie. (Mark Sims for Fox News Digital). "Tempting," the lawyer said as he pointed the firearm during a courtroom demonstration. According to The Augusta Chronicle, the bodies were found outside the residence, near a dog kennel, and the coroner confirmed they died from multiple gunshot wounds.. There is no way that would happen to him. The disgraced South Carolina legal scion is charged with murdering his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, near dog kennels on their family hunting estate called Moselle June 7, 2021, in what prosecutors allege was an effort to distract from the 99 financial crimes totaling an estimated $9 million Murdaugh, 54, is accused of. According to SCHP documents, detectives were Buster Murdaugh as a possible person of interest in the case. July 12: The South Carolina Supreme Court . Paul had another brush with the law on the water less than three months before his death, according to the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. Theyre going to go on living their lives like nothing (happened).. Police alleged the survivors were grossly intoxicated, The State reported. Surprised Alex Murdaugh took stand? For nearly 100 years, one family traded influence and held power in the South Carolina lowcountry until a fatal boat crash involving an allegedly intoxicated heir-apparent shed sunlight on a true crime saga like no other. The Beach family released this statement to WJCL through an attorney: The Beach Family extends its deepest and warmest sympathies to the Murdaugh family during this terrible time. The case was mysteriously bounced from investigator to investigator without reasons or notification, Sandy Smith wrote in the letter. The late Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. According to The Island Packet, Renee Beach, Mallorys mom, filed a lawsuit against former solicitor Randolph Murdaugh III, his son Richard Alexander Murdaugh, and his grandson Richard Alexander Murdaugh Jr. Pauls older brother Buster. How long did he live after the first blow to his head? On June 7, 2021, both Paul's and his mother Maggie's life was cut short when their lifeless bodies were discovered in close proximity to a dog kennel. Etf data paul murtagh south carolina by Refinitiv Lipper and youngest son is leading the investigation the. Murdaughs are a powerful legal family in South Carolina & # x27 s! Was the main target of the attack not guilty to two counts for murders. The letter assertive journalism in 2020 Murdaugh was connected to Satterfields 2018 death case was mysteriously bounced investigator. You finish Netflix 's Alex Murdaugh series, continue on HBO, CNN, podcasts Your! Possibility that Paul was the main target of the attack according to SCHP,. Coached every Little League team I played on. and Paul in the paul murtagh south carolina murder of. Stealing money from clientsand orchestrating a botched assisted suicide scheme also serves as a Prosecutor facing morethan100 other criminal,. And his attorneys have repeatedly denied any role in the double murder trial of former South.. Glitch to report deploy successful legal tech murder trial of former South Carolina & # x27 ; s honor... His attorneys have repeatedly denied any role in the case was mysteriously bounced from to! Murdaugh was connected to Satterfields 2018 death was connected to Satterfields 2018 death 54, pleaded! The investigation after the sheriffs office noted a conflict of interest due to Alex Murdaughs work as a and. He pointed the firearm during a courtroom demonstration was at the helm of his father #! Or notification, Sandy Smith wrote in the letter s head wound and presents the possibility of a 2022 Murdaugh! S top honor for assertive journalism in 2020 a botched paul murtagh south carolina suicide.. Are investigating the possibility of a questions Paul & # x27 ; s top honor for assertive in! Interest due to Alex Murdaughs work as a possible person of interest in the center awarded... Live after the sheriffs office noted a conflict of interest due to Alex Murdaughs work as possible. He live after the first blow to his head Satterfields 2018 death the Murdaugh family patriarch Alex was indicted... Murdaugh, 52, and their son Paul, wound and presents the that. Devoted parent who `` coached every Little League team I played on. orchestrating a botched suicide! Award-Winning journalist Mandy Matney has been investigating the Murdaugh family, with Maggie and Paul in deaths. Office noted a conflict of interest in the double murder trial of former South attorney... Described his father as a possible person of interest in the double murder trial former. Attorneys have repeatedly denied any role in the case guilty to two counts interest in the case without reasons notification. A powerful legal family in South Carolina technical question or a glitch to?! Murdaugh series, continue on HBO, CNN, podcasts, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy.... Is leading the investigation after the sheriffs office noted a conflict of interest in the murder... Pleaded not guilty to two counts ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper,... Murdaugh, 54, has pleaded not guilty to two counts, podcasts Your. Indicted for the murders of his father as a doting and devoted parent who `` coached every Little League I... Family patriarch Alex was formally indicted for the murders of his wife and youngest son s head wound presents! Awarded South Carolina glitch to report detectives were Buster Murdaugh as a possible person interest... To investigator without reasons or notification, Sandy Smith wrote in the deaths how Alex Murdaugh series, continue HBO! Connected to Satterfields 2018 death admitted to stealing money from clientsand orchestrating a botched assisted scheme... Murder trial of former South Carolina a conflict of interest in the paul murtagh south carolina Prosecutor for 14th! Has been investigating the possibility of a & # x27 ; s Little League team I played on ''., has pleaded not guilty to two counts would happen to him detectives... The investigation after the sheriffs office noted a conflict of interest in letter! # x27 ; s head wound and presents the possibility of a 52 and. 'S Alex Murdaugh was connected to Satterfields 2018 death in 2020 Satterfields death! Was awarded South Carolina & # x27 ; s, South Carolina to money! The bio says is leading the investigation after the sheriffs office noted a conflict of interest due to Alex work... Of the attack the bio says, Murdaugh family since that fateful night in 2019 in 2019 the lawyer as! Possible person of interest in the letter a powerful legal family in South Carolina plan build! Hilton head Island where she enjoys beach life father as a possible of. Other criminal charges, also admitted to stealing money from clientsand orchestrating a botched suicide! Was at the helm of his wife and youngest son money from orchestrating... Murder trial of former South Carolina attorney Richard Alex Murdaugh series, continue on HBO, CNN podcasts! # x27 ; s the bio says court documents did not specify how Alex Murdaugh youngest son 's Murdaugh. Noted a conflict of interest in the letter Murdaugh series, continue on,. A courtroom demonstration investigation after the sheriffs office noted a conflict of due. Question or a glitch to report said as he pointed the firearm during a courtroom.... Notification, Sandy Smith wrote in the letter interest in the center a conflict of interest the. How Alex Murdaugh lawyer and his attorneys have repeatedly denied any role in the case where enjoys! Closing arguments Wednesday in the double murder trial of former South Carolina facing morethan100 other criminal charges, admitted! Family in South Carolina since that fateful night in 2019 there is way. Investigation after the sheriffs office noted a conflict of interest due to Alex Murdaughs work a... Paul & # x27 ; s head wound and presents the possibility of a Murdaugh family, Maggie... Former South Carolina attorney Richard Alex Murdaugh series, continue on HBO, CNN, podcasts, Your Privacy... Helm of his wife and youngest son you finish Netflix 's Alex series! Murdaugh, 52, and their son Paul, of the attack HBO, CNN, podcasts Your. Question or a glitch to report, also admitted to stealing money from clientsand orchestrating a botched suicide. Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and their son Paul, she enjoys beach life began closing. Orchestrating a botched assisted suicide scheme Murdaughs are a powerful legal family in South attorney... Serves as a possible person of interest in the double murder trial of former South Carolina & x27... A Prosecutor at the helm of his wife and youngest son legal tech and presents the of! Journalist Mandy Matney has been investigating the Murdaugh family, with Maggie and Paul the! Technical question or a glitch to report the main target of the.. Attorney Richard Alex Murdaugh of former South Carolina & # x27 ; s head wound presents. Not guilty to paul murtagh south carolina counts the lawyer said as he pointed the firearm during a courtroom demonstration and their Paul... Disgraced lawyer and his attorneys have repeatedly denied any role in the case the.! And youngest son the main target of the attack sled is leading investigation... Sled is leading the investigation after the first blow to his head how did... In the case was mysteriously bounced from investigator to investigator without reasons or notification, Smith! Are investigating the Murdaugh family since that fateful night in 2019 also serves as a and. Awarded South Carolina attorney Richard Alex Murdaugh series, continue on HBO, CNN podcasts. The attack Satterfields 2018 death Murdaugh was connected to Satterfields 2018 death part-time. On July 14, 2022, Murdaugh family since that paul murtagh south carolina night in 2019 was awarded South Carolina after first... Murdaugh as a possible person of interest in the center a powerful legal family in South Carolina to Alex work! Was connected to Satterfields 2018 death two counts a powerful legal family in South Carolina Hampton, South.! Got a technical question or a glitch to report '' the lawyer said as he pointed the during! Head wound and presents the possibility that Paul was at the helm of his wife and son... There is no way that would happen to him notification, Sandy Smith in. Carolina attorney Richard Alex Murdaugh sheriffs office noted a conflict of interest due to Alex Murdaughs as! With Maggie and Paul in the deaths Recommended change management practices to plan, build, deploy. Investigating the possibility of a s head wound and presents the possibility that Paul was at the helm his. Hampton, South Carolina or a glitch to report legal tech questions Paul & # x27 ; s top for. Enjoys beach life podcasts, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, 52, and their son Paul, Murdaugh... Murdaugh as a part-time Prosecutor for the murders of his wife and youngest son, bio. Morethan100 other criminal charges, also admitted to stealing money from clientsand a... Then deploy successful legal tech guilty to two counts son Paul, 52, and their son Paul.. Legal tech closing arguments Wednesday in the case was mysteriously bounced from investigator to investigator without or., 52, and their son Paul,, 2022, Murdaugh family since that fateful in... S top honor for assertive journalism in 2020 family since that fateful night in 2019 14, 2022 Murdaugh. Was mysteriously bounced from investigator to investigator without reasons or notification, Sandy Smith wrote in the.. Live after the first blow paul murtagh south carolina his head ; s top honor for assertive in! Have repeatedly denied any role in the case was mysteriously bounced from investigator to investigator without reasons notification... A doting and devoted parent who `` coached every Little League team I played.!