Murdaugh Trial Reveals 'Gruesome' Details of Alex Murdaugh's Killings
The opening statements from both sides in Alex Murdaugh's trial for the double murder of his wife and son caused a commotion in the courtroom.
As he faces trial for the double murder of his wife and son, disgraced South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh was visibly upset in court.
In their opening arguments on Wednesday, the prosecution detailed the evidence they believe would prove he murdered his wife, Maggie, and then his youngest son, Paul, in June 2021 at their home.
"They were shot at close range, and they did not have defensive wounds," prosecutor Creighton Waters said.
The prosecution also presented evidence involving cell phone data. Videos sent on Snapchat will also play a pivotal role, as they claimed that the evidence will place Murdaugh at the crime scene, ABC7 reported.
Waters noted that Murdaugh "was there" with Maggie and Paul "just minutes before their cell phones go silent forever" despite telling people he was "never at the kennels."
Waters added that their mobile phones were going to show otherwise. The state also claimed that gunshot residue was found in Murdaugh's truck.
Days after the murder, Murdaugh was reportedly spotted with a blue raincoat or tarp covered in gunshot residue. Murdaugh, however, pleaded not guilty.
"He didn't do it. He didn't kill, butcher his son and wife. There's no direct evidence. There is no eyewitness; there's no camera; there are no fingerprints, and there's no forensics tying him to the crime. None," defense attorney Dick Harpootlian noted.
The defense claimed that Murdaugh could never murder his family because he loved them.
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Murdaugh Trial Details Alex Murdaugh's Interaction With the Police at Night of Murders
The prosecution showed body cam footage of Alex Murdaugh on Thursday, when he unsolicited revealed a possible motive for the murders of his wife and kid, according to WYFF4.
Murdaugh was led into the courthouse around 9 a.m. Eventually, his son Buster and other relatives entered and took seats behind Murdaugh after a brief wait.
On the night Maggie and Paul were murdered, Sgt. Daniel Greene of the Colleton County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the scene. Murdaugh's body cam footage shows him providing an unsolicited explanation.
"This is a long story. My son was in a boat wreck a few months back," Murdaugh told Greene, adding that his son has received death threats, and almost all of them have been in denial about some issues, but they did not give it much thought.
"He's been getting, like, punched. I know that. I know that's what it is," Murdaugh said.
Before Greene's arrival, he gave the same reason to the 911 dispatcher.
"Did your son make a report of this at all?" the dispatcher asked. "Yes, ma'am," replied Murdaugh.
A prosecutor questioned Greene about his encounter with Murdaugh that evening. Greene said Murdaugh asked him if his wife and son were dead multiple times at the scene and that the lawyer did not shed any physical tears.
During graphic testimony, images of Murdaugh's son and wife's bodies appeared on the body cam footage.
As police officers and first responders talked about how his wife's head had a big hole enough to see her skull cavity and his son's brain was ripped away by the shotgun blast and was found by his feet, Murdaugh appeared to be distraught and sometimes wiped his eyes.
Alex Murdaugh Trial for Double Murder Case
The murders of Alex Murdaugh's wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, on June 7, 2021, are just the beginning of the criminal and civil charges he will inevitably face.
The Murdaugh family has been part of the legal system in South Carolina for generations. The downfall of the Murdaugh dynasty and the beginning of the more significant story began with these two deaths, according to Greenville News.
Questions about Murdaugh's background, the claims, Murdaugh trial updates, and more arise as the defense and prosecution present evidence and testimony.
Alex Murdaugh has been charged with two counts of murder and also faces over 100 charges related to other crimes, including money laundering and stealing millions from clients.
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Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Cellphone Video Could Prove to Be Crucial in Alex Murdaugh Murder Trial - From NBC News