There appeared to be missing evidence in the case such as the DNA under Stephens fingernails, the clothes he was wearing, and the rape kit. Law enforcement will secure the scene in advance to ensure onlookers and curious spectators are not on the scene. This decision to rule his death a hit-and-run appeared to skew the investigation by SCHPs Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) who typically investigate accidents, not murders. Industry Insight Recommended change management practices to plan, build, then deploy successful legal tech. "SLED is committed to conducting a professional and thorough criminal investigation to bring e in the deaths of Paul and Maggie," it said in a press release on Tuesday. Buster Murdaugh, left, the son of Alex Murdaugh, listens to instruction from Judge Clifton Newman before a break during his father's trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C., Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. I forgive you for what you did to my sweet baby boy, I just want this pain in my heart to stop.. You work so hard for your family and our kids r so lucky! What is the State's most powerful evidence? Crime. Paul Murdaughs Facebook page shows photos of him hunting and with family, but the last publicly visible post is from 2013. #murdaugh #stephensmith #murdaughmurders #truecrime mattharris1028@gmail.com. Alex Murdaugh double murder trial: Closing arguments begin Wednesday. Mandy also hosts the Murdaugh Murders podcast. On Feb. 8, during the third week of the murder trial, a bomb threat forced the Colleton County Courthouse to evacuate. According to Deadline, HBO Max and Campfire Studios are teaming up to create the docu-series Murdaugh Family Mysteries.. For over three months, Islandton, SC, Police have been trying to solve the mystery surrounding the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. "No, I do not know who did it," Murdaugh replied. Embezzlement allegations against Alex began mounting in the spring and summer of 2021. So they can play that card like they care about everyone else. After listening to more than five weeks oftestimony from over70 witnesses including Murdaughhimselfthejury traveled to the house where 52-year-oldMaggie Murdaugh, and 22-year-oldPaul Murdaughwere killed in June 2021, near dog kennels on the property. 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. Paul was awaiting a court date at the time of his death on three felony charges of boating under the influence for a 2019 crash that resulted in the death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach. COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Last summer, South Carolina was rocked when two members of a prominent legal family, 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh and her 22-year-old son Paul Murdaugh, were shot and killed on . Although the weapons used to kill the victims haven't been found, an expert testified that the markings on the bullet casings found near Maggie Murdaugh's body matched those found on casings at a shooting range on the family's property. July 12: The South Carolina Supreme Court . He would not let a car, let alone a truck, get close enough to hit him. On June 7, 2021, agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division responded to a late-night 911 call saying that two people were dead at a residence in Islandton . Authorities have not released many details. 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh and 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh were shot several times and their bodies were discovered near a dog kennel in Colleton County. His wallet was inside the car. Paul's father was his attorney during the case. Two friends on the boat with Paul on the night of the crash were also reportedly charged in that incident, The Island Packet reported. According to WSAV-TV, depositions in that case alleged that Paul Murdaugh was drunk and belligerent, even acting like he was on drugs, and he refused peoples attempts to get him to stop driving the boat. It is mostly likely that the jury will have the case for deliberation by sometime early Thursday. Email tips toaudrey.conklin@fox.com or on Twitter at @audpants. No they dont they care about protecting themselves.. (Feb. 28), Alex Murdaugh breaks down during testimony on wife, son's injuries. In 2019, Paul Murdaugh was charged with boating under the influence causing death and two counts of boating under the influence causing bodily injury in connection to the death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach. Stay tuned for any and all developments with this saga. 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. SCHP detectives noted that the gas cap was unscrewed and hanging outside of the gas cap door. Keep in mind, this is years before Paul Murdaugh was charged with three felonies in the boat crash that killed Mallory Beach. Back in February 2019, Paul was charged with boating under the influence, which resulted in the death of Mallory Beach. On July 14, the police . 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. GRISLY details have emerged about last weeks double homicide of Paul Murdaugh and his mother Maggie, as the 22-year-olds past brushes with the law are revealed. Shes an investigative journalist from Kansas who has worked for newspapers in Missouri, Illinois, and South Carolina before making the switch to FITS. And "Everything Everywhere All . He also serves as a part-time Prosecutor for the 14th Judicial Circuit, the bio says. "The pressures on this man were unbearable. In the summer of 2021, Alex Murdaugh made a call to the authorities stating that his son, Paul, and wife Maggie has been murdered at their estate. 2:06. 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. 173 Shares Tweet. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Paul suffered wounds to his upper body and head from what appeared to have been a shotgun. It is believed that two different firearms were used to kill the mother and son. However, FITSNews reported, via law enforcement sources, that the Murdaughs died from multiple gunshot wounds.. We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! The site visit will be restricted to just the dog kennels where the pair were slain, and nowhere else on the property. ALEX MURDAUGH'S SON, PAUL, CONFRONTED HIM ABOUT BAGS OF PILLS BEFORE DOUBLE SLAYING. His right shoulder was partially dislocated. seeking life in prison if Murdaugh isconvicted. Mallory yelled at Paul to stop. After Paul and his mother were found dead, the Beach family expressed their condolences. Judge Clifton Newman allowed the visit but cautioned jurors about the differences in how the property looks now. Murdaugh has pleaded not guilty to the June 7, 2021, killings of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, who were fatally shot on the family's Islandton, South Carolina, property. Murdaughs former law partner Mark Ball added to the pile of apparent Murdaugh lies. . Crime scene photos obtained by FITSNews are horrific Stephens entire face was covered in blood that cascaded from a 7.25-inch gaping hole on the right side of his forehead. 0:57. Early in the trial, prosecutors disputed claims that Murdaugh checked for signs of life on both victims, his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, because he did not have any blood on his hands, clothes, or shoes and he called 911 less than 20 seconds after arriving at the scene. No," Murdaugh answered incredulously. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division dispatched a bomb squad to sweep the building, and the trial resumed at about 3:10 p.m. The Beach family extends its deepest and warmest sympathies to the Murdaugh family during this terrible time," a lawyer for the Beaches said in a statement. The charges were dismissed after Paul completed an alcohol diversion program. Authorities are investigating the possibility that Paul was the main target of the attack. HORROR befell a family when a mother and son were found dead. "That is absolutely incorrect," Murdaugh answered. Will there be justice and a clean investigation in this case, unlike the others before it? 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. A friend reportedly said that the 22-year-old behaved differently when he was drunk, and so friends decided to give him a different name, court documents state. Forensic pathology expert, Dr. Jonathan Eisenstat, gave forensic analysis of the injuries sustained by Alex Murdaugh's wife and son. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources recently released his blood alcohol content, which was allegedly .286 percent three times the legal limit for motor vehicle drivers at the . Seconds later, the 17-foot center-console boat struck a piling at Archers Creek Bridge flinging Beach and Cook into the cold, dark water. According to The State, three generations of Murdaughs have been state prosecutors, solidifying the familys power in legal circles. In the letter, she said that they were told that the Murdaugh brothers were involved in her sons death. RELATED | SC Cop Who Named Paul Murdaugh As Driver In Fatal Boat Crash Fired For Alleged Drug Use. Alex Murdaugh's theft of millions of dollars was about to be revealed so he killed his wife and son to buy time to figure a way out, a prosecutor said Wednesday during closing arguments in thedisgraced former South Carolina attorney'smurder trial. Judge Newman has indicated that he is not included to set a time limit on closings, but each side indicated they would need roughly two hours. Alex represents injured persons in all areas of personal injury law, including trucking cases, products liability and wrongful death. According to Fox News, on September 6, 2021, Murdaugh announced he was leaving his law firm and entering rehab to deal with a long battle that has been exacerbated these murders., The statement sent to Fox read, The murders of my wife and son have caused an incredibly difficult time in my life. The forensic timeline puts him there, the use of his family weapons corroborates that and his lies and guilty actions afterwards confirms it.". Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Jurors returned to the Colleton County Courthouse on Monday morning as Alex Murdaugh's defense team is set to rest their case to begin the final week of his trial on double murder charges for allegedly killing his wife and son at the family's hunting lodge in June 2021.. Days before Pauls murder, a lengthy, court-ordered mediation session failed to resolve the civil suit brought by Beachs family, the Charlotte Observer reports. Murdaugh, who is separately facing morethan100 other criminal charges,also admitted to stealing money from clientsand orchestrating a botched assisted suicide scheme. He was awarded South Carolina's top honor for assertive journalism in 2020. Award-winning journalist Mandy Matney has been investigating the Murdaugh family since that fateful night in 2019. South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newmanhas indicated he likely will not set a time limit on closing arguments and each side is expected totake about two hours. Lead prosecutor Creighton Waters said he expects to wrap up the reply by Tuesday afternoon, although Murdaugh attorney Richard Harpootlian said he was skeptical of such a quick time estimate given the States pattern of presenting lengthy testimony during the five previous weeks of the trial. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, Where things stand in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial, Closing arguments begin in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Dramatic police chase airs live during sheriff's radio interview in Florida, disgraced former South Carolina attorney's, the rural Colleton County home called Moselle, 100 other charges for alleged financial and other crimes. The day began with a request for the jury to visit Moselle, the former Murdaugh hunting property . It took more than a year for federal agents to hack into the young man's locked iPhone and find it. Smalls also took the stand and disputed one of Murdaughs claims. The charges against Paul will now be dropped but the civil suit may still continue. Criminal defense attorney Phil Holloway says the prosecution is conducting a master class on how not to conduct a cross-examination.. Paul Murdaugh is pictured on the left in the above photo. Paul Murdaugh and Margaret "Maggie" Murdaugh, 52, were found dead on . She said no one returns her calls when she tries to get updates, but she still tries anyway. Alex Murdaugh is on trial for two counts of murder in the shootings of his wife and son at their Colleton County, S.C., home and hunting lodge June 7, 2021. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Both NBC's 'Dateline: Murdaugh Saga' as well as Netflix's 'Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal' examine the rise and fall of the Murdaugh family, a legal dynasty that ran the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office in South Carolina for 87 consecutive years. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The state finished its closing arguments in the trial of Alex Murdaugh on Wednesday.Murdaugh is accused of killing his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, at the family's hunting estate back in June 2021 . And they paid for it with their lives. He also received a traffic ticket in May 2020 for driving more than 15mph over the speed limit. What evidence will have an impact on the Colleton County jury in the Alex Murdaugh trial, and will it stick? Alex Murdaugh has been charged in the murders, and he took the stand in his own defense on February 23, 2023. 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. Almost six years have passed since Stephen Smith was killed, but Sandy Smith hasnt given up hope. 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 . 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). Police alleged the survivors were grossly intoxicated, The State reported. A photo of the Murdaugh family taken days before Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were shot to death. Since South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh admitted last week to trying to stage his own murder, the story has continued to take new twists . In closings, the State will present its closing argument in full, followed by the defenses closing argument. The judge did not implement the restrictions on Paul when he was granted bond despite him already having received a 2017 citation for possession of alcohol by a minor. At the time Paul Murdaugh was awaiting trial on a charge of allegedly boating under the influence after a crash in February 2019 that killed a 19-year-old woman, Mallory Beach of South Carolina. There is no evidence that alcohol consumption was involved. A mother and son from a prominent South Carolina family were found dead in an apparent double homicide last week, and days later a man who was the son . Paul's grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather had been longtime elected solicitors in the area. 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. In that case, 57-year-old Gloria Satterfield died after a trip and fall in Hampton county on February 26, 2018, according to a court documents (below). The rifle and shotguns used to kill Maggie and Paulhave not been found. On July 14, 2022, Murdaugh family patriarch Alex was formally indicted for the murders of his wife and youngest son. Just before 8:45 p.m, a video was recorded on Paul's phone that captured Murdaugh's voice, which Waters said placedhim "at the scene of crime when the murders occurred.". All of this is inextricably tied to the investigation which is undeniably a murder investigation unlike any other. Give us a moment please., The Island Packet reported that a Murdaugh relative on the porch of a home near the crime scene had just been notified and commented, Nows not a good time, as you can imagine.. They have passed away do not bring up any piece of negativity in the past. Waters asked. They will be able to review about 800 documents, photographs, videos of police interviews of Alex Murdaugh and other exhibits while deciding on a verdict. "My gut instinct would be that its not someone tied to the case just because that would be astronomically stupid.". 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Paul Murdaugh had several previous brushes with the law, Maggie Murdaugh's body was found yards from her son's, Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were found murdered at the family hunting lodge, The Murdaugh family (Maggie and Paul pictured center) is highly influential, Paul Murdaugh allegedly had a drunk alter-ego, Maggie and Paul (center with Buster, left, and Alex, right) reportedly died from gunshot wounds, Beach, 19, died after Paul Murdaugh reportedly crashed his father's boat into a bridge, Alex Murdaugh (second left) reportedly found the bodies, Double-homicide strikes well-known South Carolina family, Grisly details emerge in killing of Paul Murdaugh and his mom as sons past brushes with law revealed, Women aged between 18 and 50 should NOT drink AT ALL, under shock WHO plan, Biden warns Russia he will hit back significantly at any cyberattacks after Putin claims US is behind most hacks, Boy, 3, found drifting alone in a dinghy more than 24 hours after his parents fell overboard in a storm and drowned, Biden snaps at CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins and says Im not confident about anything when grilled on Putin, Republicans pushing to make Biden a 'one half-term president' by taking the White House, Senate and House, Putin accuses America of turning Russia into 'the enemy' & gushes about Biden after crunch summit, Brit forced to demolish dream house in Spain just weeks after wife died of cancer and even had planning permission, Newlyweds forced to wait almost four hours trying to check into hotel for honeymoon before driving 3 hours home. Murdaugh is also accused of stealing millions and faces more than100 other charges for alleged financial and other crimes. Industry Insight. Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Officials couldnt nail down a cause or manner of death. The Murdaugh name was mentioned over 40 times throughout the course of the investigation which went cold less than a year after Smith was killed. Got a tip for a story? A photo of the Murdaugh family taken days before Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were shot to death. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Buster Murdaugh, left, the son of Alex Murdaugh, listens to instruction from Judge Clifton Newman before a break during his father's trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C., Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. According to FITSNews, a family member, Mary Elizabeth Murdaugh, tweeted, If you are going to report this case please only speak of those who have been killed. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The double homicide of Paul Murdaugh and his mother Maggie Murdaugh in rural Colleton County earlier this week sent shockwaves throughout South Carolina. The Murdaughs are a powerful legal family in South Carolina. South Carolina law enforcement has only confirmed that they are leading an investigation into a double homicide that took place in Colleton county last night, FITSNews reported. 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. "Don't let him fool you, too," the prosecutor concluded. MAGGIE MURDAUGH'S SISTER RECOUNTS ALEX MURDAUGH'S STRANGE COMMENT AFTER MURDERS IN TEARFUL TESTIMONY, As the interrogation wound down, Owen calmly asked, "Did you kill Maggie?". 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). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, He is accused of embezzling funds from clients at his family's personal injury law firm founded in 1910 by Randolph Murdaugh to pay off personal debts. Forensic engineer Mike Sutton, a defense expert, was on the stand explaining the trajectory of the shots that killed Maggie Murdaugh on June 7, 2021. He was also not restricted from drinking alcohol or driving a boat. After you finish Netflix's Alex Murdaugh series, continue on HBO, CNN, podcasts, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He was described as crazy drunk, and his girlfriend, another woman (not Beach), alleged he slapped her and spit on her as she sat on a cooler, the television station reported. If you get health care coverage through Medicaid, you might be one of 14 million Americans at risk of losing that coverage over the next year because states are set to resume checking everyone's eligibility. Alex Murdaugh's five-week double murder trial has been filled with hours of emotional testimony, shocking evidence and jaw-dropping moments. Owen continued, staring directly at Murdaugh, who was seated opposite him in a chair. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The documents do not say where the woman fell or how she knew the Murdaughs but several sources familiar with the case have said that she was the Murdaughs family maid/ housekeeper. Crime scene photos obtained by FITSNews are horrific Stephen . A family connected to power and mysterious deaths. As its final witness, the State recalled forensic crime scene expert Dr. Kenneth Kinsey to dispute the findings of Murdaughs expert witnesses, including Michael Sutton, a crime scene analyst. 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 died February 26, 2018, due to a "trip and fall" in Hampton county, court documents claimed. That resulted in many convictions and also people sent to death row. From left, Buster, Paul, Maggie and Alex Murdaugh. Adding to the speculation, the only Beaufort county sheriffs deputy who identified Paul as the driver of the boat that crashed Steven Domino was later fired from his job for drug use. Former Murdaugh law partner testifies on hogs, guns, Jurors in Alex Murdaugh's murder trial hear testimony from his former law partner, Ronnie Crosby, about hog hunting, rifles and the night of the killings that left Murdaugh's wife and son dead.