Alex Murdaugh says he lied to investigators during testimony in double murder trial

Alex Murdaugh, a disgraced attorney from South Carolina, testified in his own defense during the trial for the murder of his youngest son and wife. He admitted to lying to investigators, but denied committing the brutal murders.

Authorities stated that in June 2021, the bodies of Paul Murdaugh, 22, and Margaret Murdaugh were discovered deceased near the dog kennels close to their family’s residence in Islandton, South Carolina, with multiple gunshot wounds.

Alex Murdaugh, 54, who contacted emergency services to report the finding, was accused of their homicides 13 months afterwards.

On the second day of the week, Alex Murdaugh stood on row A to take his place. During the cross-examination of his former attorney, prosecutors grilled him about his actions around the time the murders occurred. Alex Murdaugh said that he was getting ready to visit his mother at home around 9 p.M. On that crucial night.

Alex Murdaugh stated, “I never manufactured an alibi in any form or shape to harm my wife and child.” “It is an absolute fact that I am not involved in alibi manufacturing in any form or shape.”

On Thursday, Alex Murdaugh was summoned to testify by his defense team several weeks into the trial. Without delay, his lawyer Jim Griffin inquired whether he had fired a gun at his wife and son, causing fatal head injuries.

“No, I did not,” Alex Murdaugh stated. “I never shot my wife or my son at any point, ever.”

He became emotional when his lawyer asked him about what he witnessed at the location of their killings.

“I witnessed what all of you have witnessed in photographs,” he informed the jurors, sobbing. “It was extremely distressing.”

After paying a visit to his mother, Alex Murdaugh came back to his house and discovered corpses following a meal with his spouse and child. During the initial phases of the investigation, he informed the authorities that he was not present near the dog enclosures that evening. The investigators have stated that there exists a recording captured at the dog enclosures, a few minutes prior to the presumed time of the killings, where Alex Murdaugh’s voice can be heard in the background. The prosecutors have placed emphasis on the footage obtained from Paul Murdaugh’s mobile phone on the evening of the homicides.

When questioned by his attorney regarding those previous remarks, Alex Murdaugh confessed to providing false information to investigators.

On June 7, 2021, he stated, “I indeed deceived them,” and verified that he was present in the video on the evening of their killings.

He claimed that his addiction to painkillers, which he attributed to Murdaugh, was the result of his paranoid thoughts when questioned about why he had lied about the last time he had seen his wife and son.

“I deeply apologize for my actions,” he stated. “I fabricated my presence at that location and I believe I lacked the ability to rationalize and I was not mentally focused on June the 7th.”

Alex Murdaugh testified on the witness stand about a two-decade dependency on opioids, mentioning that he has been drug-free for 535 days.

“I fought against that dependency for numerous years, I was spending a significant amount of money on pills,” he stated.

During the cross-examination on Friday, Waters inquired with Alex Murdough about individuals from his personal life, acquaintances, and co-workers whom he has deceived over the course of the previous ten years.

Alex Murdaugh asked Waters if he believed that by skillfully and effortlessly deceiving others, one could protect themselves for more than ten years. “Isn’t that correct?” Alex Murdaugh inquired. “Furthermore, after listening to the extensive testimonies presented in this trial, you expect the jury to accept a fabricated narrative that conveniently aligns with the evidence?”

Alex Murdaugh contested that assertion, responding, “That’s inaccurate.”

Alex Murdaugh, during his court appearance on Friday, admitted to providing false information to investigators regarding the final encounter he had with his wife and son. He explained that his lack of trust in the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), a state investigative organization, played a role in his decision to lie. He mentioned that he was asked about his relationship with his wife, which further heightened his paranoia and eventually led to the tragic shootings that occurred afterwards.

“During cross-examination, Prosecutors presented a body-camera clip from the first deputy’s arrival at the scene of the prior killings, showing Murdaugh Alex and Waters telling the identical falsehood.”

“Waters inquired, ‘Mr. Murdoch, isn’t it also true that the crucial aspect of your testimony, which you just presented to this jury, comprised a falsehood, concerning the multitude of reasons?’ In response, Alex Murdough stated, ‘I hold a different opinion on that matter.'”

Alex Murdaugh, who has not pleaded guilty and adamantly denies the killings, faces 30 years in prison without parole if convicted of the murders.

During the trial last month, prosecutors presented more than 60 witnesses, including footage from home security cameras and other pieces of evidence. Later, Alex Murdaugh, the accused, gave an interview to the police denying that he killed his wife and son.

Alex Murdaugh, distraught and involved in a boat wreck, had mentioned that his son had been receiving threats. Officers told him, “It’s terrible, it’s terrible,” as they viewed the distressing footage from the surveillance camera on the night of the incident.

Paul Murdaugh, who was awaiting trial on charges of allegedly boating under the influence, was involved in a fatal crash in February 2019, where a 19-year-old woman named Mallory Beach lost her life in South Carolina.

Funneling allegedly stolen money from his clients, a law firm sued him for entering a fake bank account for years, also said the rehab facility.

Prosecutors claim that Alex Murdaugh, who comes from a legacy of prominent attorneys in the region, allegedly engaged in financial misconduct to divert attention and gain sympathy after the deaths of his son and wife.

Meanwhile, the defense has portrayed him as a loving father and husband, arguing that the police have ignored the possibility that anyone else could have killed them.

“Definitely not,” responded Alex Murdaugh on June 7, 2021, when questioned if he thought his “financial empire was on the verge of collapse” during extensive interrogation on Thursday, as requested by his lawyer.

The trial was adjourned on Thursday evening while prosecutors were questioning Murdaugh about his financial dealings as a lawyer, during which several clients admitted to money stealing.

“I caused a substantial amount of destruction, I inflicted a considerable amount of chaos, there’s no doubt,” Alex Murdaugh stated.

On Friday, the defense wrapped up their investigation by once again questioning whether Alex Murdaugh was accountable for the demise of his partner and offspring.

Alex Murdaugh declared, “I would never harm Maggie. … I would never harm Paul.” “In the event that I found myself in the same circumstances they are discussing here, I can assure you that I would inflict pain upon myself before causing harm to either of them. There is no question about it.”

The court will be adjourned until Monday morning. Prior to the state presenting its rebuttal, it is anticipated that the defense will call four additional witnesses. Prior to the jury taking over the case, closing statements are scheduled to occur on Wednesday.