Posted on 02/23/2023 10:06:12 AM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
Alex Murdaugh, a once-wealthy and powerful South Carolina attorney on trial for allegedly shooting his wife and son, took the stand Thursday, testifying he had no part in the grisly double murder and blaming an addiction to painkillers for his erratic behavior in front of friends and law enforcement officials.
"I did not shoot my wife or my son any time — ever," he said of Maggie, 52, and Paul, 22, who had been gunned down in June 2021.
Murdaugh admitted he had lied several times to authorities about his whereabouts the night of the shootings.
"I lied about being down there, and I'm so sorry that I did," he said, adding that he was overly "paranoid" and claimed attorneys from his family's law firm urged him not to say a word without representation present.
Murdaugh also apologized to his son Buster and relatives for lying about the last time he saw Maggie and Paul and said once he started lying, he could not stop.
Prosecutors have argued that Murdaugh, who belongs to a powerful family that has dominated the legal landscape for more than a century, killed his family members in a desperate attempt to hide his financial crimes, which they said included swindling clients out of ten million dollars.
The mother and son were killed on June 7, 2021, near the kennels on the family's sprawling, 1,772-acre Colleton County hunting estate.
They were found in a pool of their own blood, Paul dying from two shotgun blasts and Murdaugh's wife being killed by 5 rifle shots.
The prosecution, which rested its case on Friday, also pointed to footage found on Paul Murdaugh's phone that was taken minutes before he died in which multiple witnesses testified hearing Alec Murdaugh's voice despite him claiming he was nowhere near the scene.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
I have also been following the trial everyday for at least part of the day. Its one of those deals that your gut tells you he likely did it but personally I just don’t get the motive. And it was such a brutal murder. It was more like an assassination.
I figure either he did it hopped up on oxy or he got sideways with a drug cartel and they set him up real good. Alex was spending $50,000 to $60,000 per week on oxycontin. I think an oxy pill goes for about $15 so no way he consumed that much. He had to be dealing.
I believe the impending boat accident civil suit would be less able to get to him and his financial records if his son, the boat operator, was dead. At least in his mind.
So what does a seasoned attorney do? He trades a civil suit which is defensible to avoid a financial investigation and decides to kill his family for a double homicide investigation, which he knew without any doubt he would be considered the prime suspect and every aspect of his life would be revealed. NO WAY.
“I think an oxy pill goes for about $15 so no way he consumed that much. He had to be dealing.”
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Yes, the pill situation makes no sense.
“I believe the impending boat accident civil suit would be less able to get to him and his financial records if his son, the boat operator, was dead. At least in his mind.“
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That was definitely in his mind.
“It is a real life mystery (albeit not much of a mystery) and people like mysteries.
Mostly they are waiting to see if he can wiggle out of being punished for murder.
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I’m a mystery reader, and I’m waiting to see if he can wiggle out of this.
Still can't figure out why he would do it?
True, but like Dr. Scarpetta, I watch Court TV to get away from politics.
Too many 'stories' - political or otherwise - are just someone's opinion.
Soft start to the cross.
Excellent coverage. Viewers don’t miss a moment of the trial.
This is a state case, as far as I know the presidential power to pardon applies only to federal offenses, federalism and all that.
“True, but like Dr. Scarpetta, I watch Court TV to get away from politics.
Too many ‘stories’ - political or otherwise - are just someone’s opinion. “
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Thank you for saying that.
I live in PA and now I’m ruled by fascists here, even though I worked hard to get Republicans elected. I’m tired of politics.
Watching this trial has been a new experience, and I find it fascinating.
I came here via Drudge during the Clinton scandals.
“Looks like we joined FR in the same week.
I came here via Drudge during the Clinton scandals.”
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Wow. Those were exciting times. We’re old-timers.
As long as, (unlike a certain Tarot Reader) you do not falsely accuse innocent people it is a fairly harmless one.
And it keeps the little gray cells buzzing.
Yes....we sure are.
True!
Judge Jeanine just said she thinks he did it.
Never underestimate the lefts ability to jack the system
Prosecutor: Did you steal money from your client, a double amputee?
Murdaugh: She was quadriplegic.
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