Waters said Murdaugh told investigators he was never at the kennels before finding his wife and sons bodies near them after spending an hour away from the home checking on his mother, who has dementia. Marvin Murdaugh drove down to the crime scene to a group of investigators and told them that Maggies phone was active and could be tracked, he said. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? And they still have not announced a suspect in their deaths. Part of HuffPost Crime. They said Paul was also a "people person" who was "very caring" and "would help anyone." As Murdaugh faces life in prison without parole in the double murder case, which is now in its sixth week, it is unclear when that field trip will occur, however. All rights reserved. 4:30 p.m.. Court is back in session. She testified that she did not find any defensive wounds on Maggie either. John, who lives further away in the community of Okatie, west of Hilton Head Island, said he got there about 30 minutes later. John Marvin was the last witness to testify before the defense rested on Monday. Randy and John said they don't know who could have committed the gruesome crime. The next morning, John Marvin told jurors while several people were at the propertys main house, he felt the need to go down to the crime scene to see for himself what had gone on and just kind of take it in.. At the time, the couple's sons were children. Press J to jump to the feed. "I don't know of anybody that would truly be an enemy or truly want to hurt them," Randy noted. If convicted, he faces 30 years to life in prison. "So I got on the phone with him," Randy said. Stone had previously recused himself in 2019 after Paul Murdaugh was involved in a fatal boat crash. "My brother loved Maggie and loved Paul like nothing else on this earth, just like he loves Buster," Randy said. SLED announced the arrest of Curtis Edward Smith, 61, in connection with the shooting incident involving Alex Murdaugh on Sept. 4 in Hampton County. A forensic accounting firm will be retained to conduct a thorough investigation.". John Marvin Murdaugh said he does not believe Alex Murdaugh killed his wife and son, but acknowledged that police may know more than he does. Maggie Murdaugh, the wife of embattled South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh, left her property to him in her will before she and their son were mysteriously killed in June, according to a copy of her last will and testament. State law enforcement officials also announcedthat they were looking into those allegations. Her sons claim that they received none of the proceeds from a $4.3 million settlement that was orchestrated secretly by Alex Murdaugh, according to a lawsuit filed against their mothers employer and others. Proctor's name was crossed out in pen and Randolph Murdaugh III, Maggie Murdaughs father-in law, was handwritten above it. Wake up to the day's most important news. Due to stippling on her body, Riemer said two of the gunshot wounds were fired by someone within three feet of Maggie Murdaugh. Mr. Murdaugh, who has since been disbarred, has been held in jail since October 2021, when he was charged with stealing money from the family of his former housekeeper, who died after a fall on the steps of the Murdaugh family home. Her death is being reinvestigated following the filing of the financial charges against Mr. Murdaugh. Buster Murdaugh and John Marvin Murdaugh//Image Credit: WCBD NEWS 2. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. No arrests have been made and no suspects have been named. Alex Murdaugh was ordered held on a $20,000 personal recognizance bond. A male driver in a blue pickup asked him if he had car troubles, as soon as Alex replied, he was shot. After 19 months of speculation, prosecutors finally laid out their evidence Wednesday that Alex Murdaugh killed his wife and son as they opened the double murder trial for the disgraced South Carolina attorney. It was a rainy night and first responders were already on site, and Randy recalled seeing the covered bodies of Maggie and Paul near the dog kennels, about a quarter of a mile from the main house. John Marvin Murdaugh and Randolph "Randy" Murdaugh IV spoke with "Good Morning America" about the deaths of Maggie and Paul, saying they didn't believe their Four generations served as the local prosecutor, Social distancing and masking will not be required. Sept. 13: SLED investigates missing money from law firm. He is the 14th defense witness called overall during the six-week trial. A place to talk about the Murdaugh family murders without censorship. Sept. 8: Brother "shocked" by Murdaugh allegations; Alex Murdaugh's law license suspended, Alex Murdaugh's older brother Randy Murdaugh, who is also still employed by the firm, released a statement saying he was "shocked" to learn of his brother's "settling of money," as well as "drug addiction.". He then walked to the side door of the courtroom where he will be taken to the Colleton County jail where he is staying during his trial. Also on Sept. 15, the sons of a former Murdaugh housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, filed a lawsuit against Alex Murdaugh, Corey Fleming and others for allegedly swindling them out of receiving settlement money. The final He added that the feed room was still covered with brain fragments, pieces of Pauls skull, and lots of blood. Buster and I, along with Maggie's mother, father and our entire family, ask that anyone with helpful information should immediately call the SLED tip line or Crime Stoppers. Zapata said it was possible the DNA could have been transferred if the victims were checked for signs of life. The phone, the Packet previously reported, was given to the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). WebAlex Murdaughthe attorney from a prominent South Carolina family who is suspected of committing a staggering number of crimes that were revealed after of a fatal 2019 boat crashwas indicted Thursday for murder. Police still have not said whether any new evidence was uncovered from Maggies phone. The shot to her abdomen was from further away. In the affidavit, Proctor renounced her right to handle her sisters estate and said she didnt receive any money in relinquishing her right to handle it. A defense lawyer said prosecutors incorrectly locked in on Murdaughs guilt from the start and have spent all that time trying to jam bits of evidence that can be explained away or leave an incomplete picture into a story that frames the wrong man. You can share rumors, but they must be clearly labeled as rumors. "He said, 'Come as fast as you can. It was the start of what is expected to be a three-week trial at the Colleton County Courthouse. "We need help finding who did this," Randy told ABC News. The final witness for the defense was Alex Murdaughs brother John Marvin Murdaugh. Murdaugh, 54, is standing trial on two counts of murder. He said his family and the Proctors are all communicating on good terms. John Marvin who owns a heavy equipment rental and sales center indicated he wasnt able to find buyers for either piece of equipment and thought he might A string of bloody killings and mysteries involving a prominent South Carolina family has sent investigators on a wild chase full of twists and turns. The vehicle turned around and "someone in the car shot him," the spokesperson said to ABC News. John Marvin is the second family member to testify on behalf of Murdaugh. Alex Murdaughs younger brother took the stand on Monday, tearfully describing how he cleaned the gruesome crime scene the morning after his sister-in-law and nephew were murdered in June 2021. "The arrests in this case are only the first step in that process.". Murdaughs lawyer Dick Harpootlian said on Good Morning America Friday that health records show Murdaugh had drugs in his system when he was shot on Sept. 4. John Marvin Murdaugh and his wife Liz Murdaugh, Brooklynn White and Buster Murdaugh, from left, attend the opening day of Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial on Wednesday. Attorney Dick Harpootlian says the defense team will need time for their expert to review the data as well. "The person that did this is out there.". The Theres no direct evidence. Both sides of the trial asked the judge to consider delaying the case due to the virus, expressing concerns that if more jurors become ill and have to be released, the case could end in a mistrial. A camouflage Benelli 12-gauge shotgun from the Moselle Road property that was swabbed showed DNA contributed by two people: Maggie and Alex Murdaugh. They were able to open the phone on site, he said. Two alternates, 441 and 326, took their places. If he leaves the rehab facility, there will be a bench warrant issued for his arrest, Judge Tonja Alexander said. Alex Murdaugh's attorneys said in October that authorities were looking at him as a person of interest in the deaths of his wife and their son. Two days after a judge first denied Alex Murdaugh bond last fall, the disgraced Hampton County attorney called his younger brother and son from Richland County Detention Center and warned them to move quickly. Hey, John, Murdaugh said to John Marvin Murdaugh on Oct. 21, 2021. John Marvin Murdaugh said he was sitting inside the house on the Moselle property and asked Alex Murdaugh if he could ping Maggies phone. His attorney, Richard Harpootlian, previously said on NBCs TODAY show that Alex Murdaugh arranged for a man to kill him during a fake car breakdown. He said he believed his insurance policy had a suicide clause, which would leave $10 million for his son, according to Harpootlian. Since the wreck, Paul had been receiving online threats from strangers that were "bothersome" but weren't believed to be "credible," according to Randy and John. The defense, however, has argued that Murdaugh had no motivation to murder his wife and son that several witnesses have described as his top priority. Less than five minutes later, Paul Murdaughs phone was never used again. Zapata testified that no useful DNA was found on the blue raincoat discovered at the home of Alex Murdaughs mother during the investigation. The deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh remain unsolved. Law enforcement agents who testified in the trial also noted that Murdaugh also touted the theory that the boat crash was the possible motivation for the murders moments after they were called to the scene. Satterfield's family members, who have alleged that Alex Murdaugh stole more than $4 million in insurance settlements for her death, called the development "bittersweet" and a "very good start to holding everyone accountable. As soon as I heard his voice, I knew something bad was going on, he said. Powder and residue left behind from a gun was found in several places Alex Murdaugh was also at, the prosecutor said. Both victims were located outside of the residence on the sprawling property and had "sustained multiple gunshot wounds," according to a press release from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which is investigating the double murder along with the Colleton County Sheriff's Office. In June 2021, The Island Packet reported that although Paul Murdaughs cell phone was found near his body on the night of the killings, investigators found Maggies phone the next day on a road outside of the familys Colleton County property. He is accused of killing his wife Maggie and 22-year-old son Paul in June 2021, Slate reports. "It changes you as an individual. He was also the second family member to testify on behalf of Murdaugh. There are three alternate jurors left. "But we're just regular people that are working hard and trying to do right. But you don't think it's going to happen in your small community, to your family.". "And so we said our goodbyes and tried to be in a celebratory way to my dad, but we're all hurting because of Maggie and Paul.". The documents released by authorities do This trial is the bottom of a stunningly far and fast downfall for the man whose family dominated the legal system in tiny neighboring Hampton County for generations, both as prosecutors and private attorneys known for getting life-changing settlements for accidents and negligence cases. Riemer said yes, because some shots would have been fired from behind her and the shot to the back of her head, when she was on the ground, would have come from toward the top of her body. Murdaugh was charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, along with filing a false police report. I'm not talking about in the restroom. The defense in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial rested their case Monday. It was the start of what is expected to be a three-week trial at the Colleton County Courthouse. Once the police opened the phone, they gave me a ride back to my car, he said. He just couldn't control it. A major twist in the case came when Alex Murdaugh called authorities saying he was shot in the head in Hampton County on Sept. 4. Maggie Murdaugh signed the will in August 2005, according to a report Sunday in The Island Packet newspaper of Hilton Head. ", Oct. 14: Murdaugh arrested, charged in connection to settlement funds from housekeeper's death. Alex Murdaugh and his son Buster announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of assailants involved in the murders of Maggie and Paul. Evidence was laid out Wednesday against the disgraced South Carolina attorney, accused of shooting his wife and son at the familys hunting property in 2021. What Was Alex Murdaugh's Motive For Killing His Wife And Son? I felt like it was the right thing to do. She did not see any evidence of defensive wounds. He told authorities he had been out at the time of the shooting and found his wife and son dead when he arrived home, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said in a later news release. Harpootlian said all this was grasping at whatever evidence might make Murdaugh look guilty and ignoring what didnt fit the theory that he did it. In the will, Maggie Murdaugh listed her sister, Marian Proctor, as the person to handle the estate. She took the stand to explain graphic photographs from her investigation to the jury and said the gunman was likely within three feet of Paul Murdaugh. I'm resigning from my law firm and entering rehab after a long battle that has been exacerbated by these murders. "On September 4, it became clear Alex believed that ending his life was his only option. John Marvin is the brother-in-law and uncle of 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh, and 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh who were murdered on June 7, 2021 near the "So there's no possible way he could have anything to do with this, I can assure you. Theres no eyewitnesses. A swab of suspected blood taken from the steering wheel of the Suburban also showed a mixture of DNA likely belonging to Alex and Maggie Murdaugh. Send it to The Daily Beasthere. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Alex Murdaugh is the only publicly known person of interest in the murders, which remain unsolved. He says SLED told them Murdaughs t-shirt was The boating accident led some to question whether Paul's family's legal ties affected the probe. He had diarrhea. Since then, there have been curveballs in the investigation including Alex Murdaugh's alleged money misuse that led to the suspension of his law license, and other allegations of an opioid addiction, an assisted-suicide attempt and a $10 million insurance fraud scheme. I took so much just to not backslide.. He has a long-term Oxycontin opiate addiction that put him in a position where he did those stupid and illegal things.. Alex Murdaugh cried when the autopsy photos, which have been sealed, were shown in court. Prosecutors allege that Murdaugh, who has pleaded not guilty to four charges, murdered his family in a deranged scheme to garner sympathy and halt questions about his years-long scheme of stealing money from his law firm and clients. Its complicated. Sept. 4: Murdaugh calls 911 saying he was shot. "While we were happy he was no longer suffering, my brother's still suffering and we're suffering. He is accused of killing his wife Maggie and 22-year-old son Paul in June 2021, Slate reports. Theres no forensics tying him to the crime. At the time, the photos and video sparked controversy and numerous questions about why Solicitor Duffie Stone whose office has close ties to the Murdaugh family had not yet recused himself from the investigation. He was charged with a list of crimes relating to his work, including nine counts of tax evasion, stealing lawsuit settlement money from badly injured clients, a drug A vehicle sits in the driveway of a home, June 8, 2021, in rural Colleton County, near Islandton, S.C. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. DNA profiles were found on Alex Murdaughs shirt that likely came from Maggie, Pauls friend Nolan Tuten and an unidentified, unrelated person. He was arrested in connection to the Sept. 4 shooting incident "in which he conspired with Curtis Edward Smith to assist him in committing suicide for the explicit purpose of allowing a beneficiary to collect life insurance," SLED said in a statement. Got a tip? He said he thought they were dead.". Her husband, Alex Murdaugh, 53, has faced months of public scrutiny since his wife, 52, and their son Paul Murdaugh, 22, were found shot multiple times on June 7 at the familys home in rural Islandton, South Carolina, about 65 miles west of Charleston. SLED then said they were opening the investigation into Satterfield's death at the request of the Hampton County Coroner's Office and due to information gathered during the course of other ongoing investigations involving AlexMurdaugh. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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