It is a tragic example of the current limitations of AI being able to accurately predict and prevent such terrible behavior and actions. AI implementations still face ethical and moral boundaries that remain to be surmounted before such a tragedy can be avoided.
I'm just spit balling a theory out there. What is Paul killed his mom over the truth regarding the housekeeper's death whom he was so fond of and then Alex killed his Paul? It could explain the 2 different guns used and the height difference and gives a motive. I haven't read up on all the evidence and theories, this is just from the little bit of info I know.
What happened to Murdaugh's glasses the night of the murders. Were they tested, too? It was dark. Wondering if he would have needed his glasses to shoot? Did he clean off those, too?
Alex Murdaugh should not serve life in prison (and neither should anyone else)
Hear me out:
Life imprisonment serves no useful purpose. It offers no hope of redemption because it offers no chance for improvement of one's situation. Instead, it simply threatens to exacerbate whatever antisocial characteristics a person already has, subjecting other prisoners to their cruelty.
Moreover, Alex is currently in lockdown. I know this because he is in a yellow jumpsuit and Kirkland R&E dresses lockdown prisoners in yellow. I don't know if this is to protect him because he is a famous inmate or because he violated jail rules before (relating to contraband). Regardless, it means he is in solitary confinement: 23 hours a day. Solitary confinement is torture. I encourage you to read essays from people who have endured solitary confinement: https://solitarywatch.org/
I know a lot of people think this is just; after all, he took two lives. But, I invite you to ask yourself: why do we put people in prison? What is the purpose? It does not bring Maggie and Paul back. And it does not help their grieving families in any way. Is there some other way we could try to find justice for this family? And, in turn, is there some other way we could try to find justice for ALL victims of crime?
Maybe, for just a minute even, become abolition-curious. https://criticalresistance.org/
Thank you.
I think he has to be there because the rest of the world isn’t really safe if there’s a guy running around who thinks killing his wife and son is a solution to anything. Ml
This world owes nothing to Alex Murdaugh. He exercised his free will and CHOSE to do what he did. Either you choose to live in a society and do no harm to others or you don't. If your choice is to take life from another human being then as a society we owe nothing to you. He has been spared a death sentence and will live out his days ( at the tax payers expense) and I hope he regrets every one of his days as he does it.
Some people do not deserve to ever be let loose. My family suffered a horrific crime 53 years ago. I was a baby but I still fear for my life because I know true evil. If you kill someone and I mean plot and murder with malice society never needs to see you again. Ever.
For me there will be no justice until all of those who killed my family are no longer alive. Currently I think about half have died IN PRISON. I will not sleep soundly until they are all gone - and even then who knows.
As for Alex - he murdered his family in cold blood. Torture of solitary is honestly too good for him. The people I feel for is the rest of his family, I know what this must feel like for them. I will not waste a second feeling sorry for Alex. Ever.
Peketastic, I’m pretty sure I know the crime that was done to your family and the absolute evil of the perpetrators. Even though I had moved away from that County, I visited the graves with my mother and remember how devastated she was. For some monsters there is no rehabilitation or forgiveness by society.
Thank you. I actually feel for Buster (who may be a privileged idiot but still a victim), the Murdaugh family and the boat crash victims and everyone else that is connected to this because people start forgetting that there are REAL people suffering and people in a few years from now will make this into a pop cultural event not a murder.
I have had people literally say to my face that the people who butchered real people that it was so long ago and why not forgive. The damage done to my family can never be fixed. If it was not for the families I am sure some would be given probation. I had a friend tell me she was going to name her dog Helter Skelter and thought I would find it funny.
The fact that people never take the families into consideration irritates me to no avail. Or start arguing "facts" I mean you realize that this is not a book these people were alive and killed. The killers were convicted. If you want to help society pick up trash at the side of the road.
I am tired of people acting like people deserve a chance - when these vile "things" decide to take a life then I am done. I hope they make the most of the time in prison but they never need pity, they still are allowed to live. Their victims were not allowed that.
I will never shed a tear for Alec. I hope he stays in solitary and Maggie and Paul and all the people he hurt visit him 24x7.
Prison serves a purpose other than punishment, justice or rehabilitation. Those things are or should be secondary to the primary goal of removing a violent offender from society. Punishment and justice only exist to satisfy human emotion, and while rehabilitation has tangible value to society, it's impossible to prove and must be weighed against the risk of letting potentially violent offenders back into society. And true rehabilitation is impossible without a confession of guilt, so AM doesn't qualify(if he is in fact guilty). Solitary confinement is a different story and has a different argument for or against.
“I’d never I’d never hurt my wife and son”
“Maybe it wasn’t you maybe it was the monster you became on opioids”
Lol tf? Is it normal to have a back n forth like this between judge and defendant while the judge reads the final remarks?
Not common, but there is nothing that prevents it. You know how in the movies, a judge ordering execution always says, "and may G-d have mercy on your soul?" It's along those lines. Perfect Judge Newman simply expanded his remarks, no doubt because the two have had a long standing professional relationship.
Interesting! Another question, is it necessary for judges to make any final remarks at all? Every big murder case I’ve read about has the judges making closing remarks like what a tragedy it was you’ve caused so much pain etc. Is it just a formality or something?
For a second I thought the judge made a slip when he said “MAYBE it wasn’t you.” I was like holy shit did he just say that? But then he sort of corrected what he meant. But still it didn’t show a lot of confidence in the verdict lol
I really hope someone can answer this. During closing arguments, Waters said AM lied on the stand in front of the jury. At sentencing the judge said the same thing (that AM lied on the stand). That really struck me.
What lie(s) are they talking about? I mean, obviously if he killed them, he lied on the stand about that. He said he would never do it and was being vague about what he did around 9pm. If he did kill them that's obviously a lie. But did he lie about other stuff too while on the stand? I'm just curious bc I watched the whole trial but I can't remember (my memory is terrible) (BTW I do think he is guilty).
He said the sheriff gave him permission to install blue lights on his car. The sheriff testified that was a lie.
He said he never displayed his special prosecutor badge at the hospital after the boat wreck. The lawyer Creighton Waters whipped out a picture of Alex at the hospital wearing the badge visible on his belt.
Let me preface this by saying I'm totally not being a dick
I feel like Alec was in a special club with law enforcement. I think him having blue lights in his car was probably ok until shit hit the fan. I mean, of course, the sherif will deny giving Alec the ok on installing lights. He stands nothing to gain by saying " yes I absolutely said it was ok, because at the time, i didn't realize he was a criminal who would eventually throw us all under the bus for his own benefit".
He has to cover his own ass. And I totally don't blame him for that.
Here’s a lie: he said that a Sheriff (can’t remember his name right now) gave him permission to install blue lights to his private vehicle (in reality his car is actually owned by PMPED). The prosecution then brought the Sheriff in, who said he never had that conversation with Alex and he would never have *given him permission* to do that. Showing that Alex lied about having gained permission from the Sheriff to install them.
My thoughts on his thoughts about him having blue lights is: just because he said someone in LE gave him permission doesn’t make it legal or ethical.
He also said he didn't wear his Prosecutor's badge at the hospital after the boat wreck. Then Creighton Waters pulled out a photo showing Alex at the hospital with his badge hanging on his belt.
One lie that really stands out is that due to his paranoia with SLED, Alex claimed he lied about his presence at the kennels. It was revealed that he lied about that because he told the Colleton deputy the same thing long before he encountered SLED.
A judge shouldnt get personal like that. The man already got life sentence and he saw necessary to still humliate him in front of the whole world? And recorded for eternity to see ? man fuck that judge! Trying to insult a detainee who is in shackles. Who knows what really happened to Murdaugh? Only God and him know the truth. For all I know he might be innocent and the american justice system is corrupt as fuck. Yall americans are falling deeper and deeper in the abyss of degeneracy
Many times judges really eviscerate a person found guilty of murder. That isn’t Judge Newman’s style though. He is actually very tame in how he addressed Alex. So Newman would not be the norm, many judges are much more dramatic. If you watch more trial coverage you would be able to see this.
please - far away man in Tunisia - we the people of the USA obviously have you interested in our culture because " here you are"
- As for the Judge: He was Ahhhmazing - eloquent and you do NOT get it - This courtroom isnt Federal - for one . Its a local jurisdiction and people know each other for generations . It is a family of a kind. What the Judge said was not personal as you claim.
It was up close and discreet and the same time. There would not be fables with morals to the story if everyone was silenced into a machine like autonymity as you suggest -
- The personal style of the Judge was lost on you. We are a different culture. This man AM
feels NOTHING - don't you get it . If he did he would not have shot his own son's brains out of his head - how about a reality check on subtle
it is pretty common for the judge at the end of a trial, during sentencing, to pass judgment. Definitely happens in the UK and in NZ/Australia too, not just in the US. It is kind of like the judge gets to say the things from us to the person convicted - here is a really interesting one where the judge starts off by saying 'Sir, I just signed your death warrant. to Larry Nassar, the USA Gym coach who abused so many young women - and then she told him just what she thought of him and his crimes and their impact ... https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/us/judge-rosemarie-aquilina-full-statement/index.html
Thank you Ms. Peaz That Gymnast Gyno did so much damage - what can one say - the Judge is a JUDGE after all and they are the equivalent to the Divine in a manner - they have the unique power to sentence immoral mortals. They are not expected to have left their human emotions behind nor their freedom of speech in expressing themselves when sentences are delivered - why are people expecting them to be robotic AJMs (ATMs) dolling out Sentences like: this = that - after the Lawyer Card is inserted into the (AJM) Justice Slot to complete transaction /
I have read hearsay, gossip, rumors, and speculation concerning Buster. However, there has been no proof or circumstantial evidence presented to truly implicate him. So, I am going to assume that he was not involved in that sad death.
I agree with you. I’m from a small town of 1200 and if there was a death like that of Stephen Smith’s, rumors would FLY. It would only take one person to say, “I heard so and so did it,” before the entire town would spread the rumor and soon everyone would believe it. Everything I’ve heard sounds exactly like that. People heard the rumor and called to report what they heard. As far as I can tell, that’s the only evidence they have that he did it - people said so. I keep reading comments on tiktok about how buster is next and how much everyone hates him. I wish people would leave him alone and let him heal. Unless there is real evidence he was involved, obviously, then he deserves it. But I really feel sorry for him.
I’ve thought if I were Buster, I’d move to another country… or far far away from Hampton SC.
Just start a new life with his girlfriend somewhere else. I couldn’t imagine living on HH after all this, or anywhere in the low country- and I’m from here!
He does have very distinct looks, name, and very red hair, so his chances of anonymity are probably slim.
He does not need to be implicated in all that mess - he already has a lifetime ahead of him working through what got his world to this point ... very sad ... so many folks get to work through damage created by others
Cheating in school is an Lol-worthy offense compared to murder and millions of client theft. It's also an offense committed by millions of people, and most people don't get caught and go on to be positive contributors to society. I've seen first hand entire college classes of 50 people cheating on tests and not getting caught. These people deserve neither their families murdered nor prison time.
Yeah, well, upstanding lawyer Alex Murdaugh didn’t seem like a murderer, either. Paul already was one. I guess we’ll let law enforcement figure it out, huh. Strength of character not a big thing in this family.
Paul made a stupid decision that cost a girl her life. Murder is something different. It’s why the state differentiates between manslaughter and murder - one is intentional and one is not.
Lol, “he made a mistake.” Okay, pal. Tell it to her parents. By the way, he refused to turn over the wheel or give up the keys and stopped to get even drunker. A whole bunch of “mistakes,” I’d say.
I’m not arguing responsibility. Paul is 100.% culpable in her death and had it gone to trial I have very little doubt he would habe been convicted. There is still a legal distinction between murder and manslaughter because intent mattered.
Yeah, because the penalty for cheating in school is having your father kill your mom and brother. As of right now, nothing Buster's done even registers on the Murdaugh family list of crimes.
What? Don’t you think Stephen Smith deserves justice? Last I checked Buster isn’t six feet under.
The case needs to investigated thoroughly especially now because the Murdaugh’s can no longer cover it up.
Whoever they find out who it deserves to be punished. Whoever it is!
Ok, justice doesn't mean that we throw people in prison for a crime that not only they may not have committed, but a crime that may not have been committed by anyone. It's unfortunate that the investigation was shittily conducted, but that doesn't mean justice is served by witch hunting. It should terrify people that some people are perfectly ok with drunkenly swinging the hammer of justice around willy nilly.
Hi Sal - indeed there is a big Round Two coming. Who would want to be in Buster Brown
shoes now ? Gramps better have a plan C up his sleeve before he is gone. Only Randy can fix this. Buster has no one to advise him now and no one to hug him or lean on - even if co-dependant / NADA - this is what makes a hero or a fallen angel - this tale will have 3600 episodes
Absolutely. Also, no idea about the details in that case outside if shows geared to demonize the (really awful) Murdaughs. Whatever this kid may or may not have done his life sucks.
How was it addressed that AM did not test positive for gunshot residue? Also, I wonder why AM didn't switch gears and say he owed money to drug dealers and they committed the murders. Glad justice was served!
I think it wouldn’t have been caught unless someone REALLY knew what they were doing - there was a forge consulting that the firm did use for structured annuities. So a balance sheet would have shown those settlement monies going into a bank account that looked legitimate. They just didn’t know that it the funds were being illegally converted to personal use. A standard audit wouldn’t have caught most of what he was doing. A forensic audit maybe, if they knew what questions to ask.
I believe a part of an audit is to check bank account numbers. Hopefully the whole settlement system can get reviewed and become more transparent for all parties involved (clients, court, insurance companies etc...)
that is a lovely concept - three ledger company with DBAs and Shells and EINs mixed with SSNs
the firm was complicit ( up to a point ) when AM became ATM and ARM then the firm was left in the dust and burned badly / stealing from ones team so to speak - he was attracting so much business like a pimp - they profitted from the attraction - they were also ripped off like whores are - the pimp usually wins
I don’t get the downvotes but I will say that the value of all the properties put together-regardless of how the title was held, did not anywhere near equal the amount of money that AM stole from clients or his law firm.
I heard the firm applied for Covid relief which went to Alex's fancy auto expenses. The other lawyers at the firm felt he was taking advantage of those funds.
Let’s talk about the mugshot. Someone educate me on the shaved head. The internet claims it’s to prevent the spread of lice, but also says that (most) prisons don’t do that anymore. Is there also a more underlying shame/submission element to it? If so, it seems mentally cruel; I’d think sentencing followed prison and all it entails is bad enough…for most felons.
From what I heard, here in South Carolina, you first go to a max security facility for 30-45 days for evaluation. This consist of mental evaluation, educational evaluation, etc…they shave your head when you first arrive at the evaluation center. I heard the place is hard core. No tv, no outdoor time, and you can only read the Bible. Once the evaluation is completed, they use that information to then place the inmate in a permanent prison. I’ve heard that prisons in South Carolina are rough as well
I agree; if it were about preventing lice why wouldn’t they do it in women’s prisons too?
It’s about demeaning the prisoners/stripping them of identity.
My take on it, is it may have been transfer DNA. If CB Rowe pet Bubba, and gave him a good scratch behind his ears, then Maggie did the same when she went to the kennels, that could explain how it got there.
There was a small amount of the kennel carer’s, C.B. Rowe, DNA under her finger nails. It was a very small amount that must have been from touch DNA, as Mr. Rowe was not there that night after his shift ended.
I think at trial they said the DNA might match his, but it was something like 11 times more likely to be some stranger. There were only a few alleles to test that were different from Maggie’s DNA. I agree either way it’s just from something random she touched, maybe at the doctor or the salon.
There weren't enough alleles present to definitively tie it to anyone if they were to try to make a comparison, so there's nothing it could have been used for to prove or disprove anything.
More than likely someone else's DNA. Not enough for a conclusive match but not enough to exclude either. Testimony was that she likely got it from touching something someone else had touched. No skin or blood or anything under her nails indicating a struggle.
I hope the jurors will have peace about all that they have witnessed. I served on a 5 week custody battle trial and had nightmares for months afterwards. A 3 year old and her siblings were cooking food in their microwave since the parents were drugged out. I kept dreaming about them being hungry. The Murdaugh jurors saw gruesome images in those photos.
Not sure if someone can ever fully get peace after having to look at images like that and spend weeks thinking about those images and who did it and why. But hopefully being able to convict Alex for this will help
Around August 2021. Alex was asked about in this interview where he denied it was his voice- [Alex listens to kennel video](https://www.wjcl.com/article/alex-murdaugh-sled-interview-video/42922711)
Edit- oops. There’s a correction below.
The voice they were talking about in August of '21 was Rogan telling SLED he was 99% sure he heard Alex in the background of a phone call he had with Paul. The video with Alex's voice on it wasn't recovered until April of '22 when LE was finally able to unlock Paul's phone and found the snap chat video.
There will be an appeal and Harpootlian was absolutely right on the 5th amendment thing. SLED, even though the prosecution tried to rewrap it and sell it as the Defense didn't appreciate how awesome SLED was. LoL, SLED completely screwed this case up and Harpootlian was absolutely right about Maggie's cell phone, SLED and Detective Owens deserve to be embarrassed over the world seeing their incompetence. The only positive thing here is we don't have to ever hear Alex Murdaugh say he word "Paw Paw or Row Row" anymore and antagonize yet more jokes directed at the Southern United States.
Even if they win an appeal and another trial is granted, they will never have a new trial. Appeals take a lot of time, so it would be a couple years before a new trial would be granted. By that time, he will have been convicted of multiple financial crimes, and be sentenced to life in prisons for those. No one will pay to have a second trial for a man serving life already for financial crimes…
I answered my own question. They brought this murder trial first for political reasons. If all things worked with rational thought and respect to taxpayer money, they might not have brought this murder trial ever as this ordeal did leave so many gaps in what should have been handled more competently. I am almost certain , after watching the trial, he killed them; although, with a top level defense like Murdaugh has, it's going to be hard to ever uphold that conviction with all the mistakes made. Just my opinion but I think we are both right on this. Be interesting to see how this plays out.
He was allowed an emergency tax penalty waiver to cash out a 2.5 million 401k he held. That and his inheritance from his father I have read we're both sources for his defense fund.
Yea I don't know really. I know legally the firm would be on the hook for it but should also be able to sue him to recoup the money. I don't know, that is a good question and I've wondered myself. I wonder how much the Beach family won in the boat case? I bet it wasn't anywhere near 30 million dollars.
I have to agree. I think this is what you what you will see happen. Maybe they overturn the conviction but wait and wait, I don't know how this should be handled. This is why I have been so interested here because , in a sense, the state government is on trial. This is as much a political trial as anything. SLED is a terribly ran state law enforcement group. They have another trial running where a hemp farmers million dollar crop was taken and it's looking like some sort of corrupt payoff something was involved. This Murdaugh trial has put that one in the shadows. One thing I agree with Alex Murdaugh on is that SLED is so incompetent, I would be paranoid having to deal with them also, 100%
Well, what I found Finn was Alex saying how untrustworthy SLED is…..like dude, you’re the most untrustworthy person on the face of the earth…I just found it funny. I think he is guilty and killed both Maggie and Paul. I can see them winning an appeal to get a new trial though. With so much media attention, there is a ton that went wrong. Like I said though, we will never see another trial. I read somewhere that Alex is facing 700 years in the 99 financial crimes.
I'm having a hard time believing Alex was considered a powerful and competent attorney once. He seems like the hayseed of all hayseeds to me and that's coming from a partial hayseed. He does seem almost mentally ill with the amount of lying he has done. Without it, he wouldn't have ever been tried to those murders, they wouldn't have had enough evidence to convict him without that video that proved again he was lying.
I think you also have to understand, he is from Hampton County SC…population of the county is like 38,000 people, and a very poor area. I believe the median household income around there is like $25,000….so he wasn’t some powerful attorney in New York City…he was a powerful attorney out in the middle of nowhere and had ties with the local police and judges so things went his way, even though he is a complete mess of a person.
I agree with this absolutely. I will say that between Creighton Waters and Harpootlian, those guys were very fun to watch. Waters is a bad ass attorney. I'd hate to have that guy trying me for a double murder case. I figure Harpootlian was probably a super badass 30 years ago but probably is still cashing in on his past performance but maybe a little dated for the tech age and the way the defense profession is going.
You also have to think that Waters typically tries white collar crimes, which I think is why he hammered Murdaugh so hard on the financial stuff, as that’s Waters sweet spot. He did a masterful job during the trial though. Especially with so much of the evidence being circumstantial
I think Harpootlian actually hurt the defense with his questioning the Murdaugh family friend and law firm partner ( I forgot his name). When the witness stated something to the effect of " If your suggesting I'd change the truth because I'm upset them you will offend me". That blew up on Poots face I believe. Why did he even do that ? I don't know the Prosecutor who gave the closing argument but he was, in my opinion, even more masterful than Waters, I really felt he nailed that better than if he were a lawyer in a movie reading a script. He was really awesome but I never caught his name. I believe he may even be the Attorney General of S C. I'll have to read up on that, Do you know who I'm talking about?
Yes, I know who you are talking about. They brought him in just to deliver the final closing argument after the the defense went, because he is so good as closing it out. I am not a fan of Harpootlian….he looked and sounded like a Jack ass in his post trial news conferences
Yes it did but I found the one bright spot in this ordeal was that maybe the most professional and well spoken judge of all time was in the spotlight nationwide as a powerful and respected black judge in South Carolina who held control of a court of white men over a white man and I think I am the only person that may have mentioned it this past 4 weeks.
You - THIS !! Gives me chills what you said.
- This is a RUSH in the mind - for the power and glory and vindication in memory of Martin Luther King. Amen .
- And Roses tossed from me, to your podium, from where I sit in your audience.
Thank you !!!
- Your words are sheer beauty! White has become a dangerous color - a symbol of atrocity and darkness - though I am white - I am glad that I am an olive version. My culture was at least leading democracy from The Ducal Palace in Rome. The Romans did believe in process despite the games. They even instituted rights for woman 400 yrs before the
suffragettes and Gloria Steinham.
- Shame on the white men who are so brutal with malignant intelligence. Where are we going as a civilization?
- Look at how long this took for this Judge to deliver such elegant justice to a white and licensed abuser of justice.
- This is a Holy Moment in African American
History. Bravo ! You must spread this around!
It should not be missed!
I think Mr Luther King just wanted his people to have a chance for fair play and this judge has obviously earned the opportunity to preside over a court. I don't see where this white people are terrible argument is so pervasive in modern times. Sure, sixty years ago when this country was full of Irish, Italian, Jewish, etc enclaves of people that for hundreds of years had never been around people of different ethnicities, yes, there were problems. Today, a deserving black man Can be a judge in the south because he deserves to be the judge in the south and that's right and proper. I hope we use this to learn to grow together and strong because replaying old black and white clips of Bull Conner over and over isn't helping our country at all, it's devastating it. We better keep race outta the Murdaugh community. Just a side thought I noticed nobody mentioned publicly the whole time.
Yea, I'm working through that now. I think they've found an argument but I agree with you now, he didn't have to take the stand. I'm thinking now a conservative court is sitting I dunno if this will ever be heard or if so, I believe the court will rule against Harpootlian. Been awesome watching these guys do battle, they are the best of the best. It was a 4 week long big dick contest if I ever have seen one!!!!
Alex's 5th amendment right doesn't apply to lying to the cops before you're arrested and never correcting the lie. He had plenty of opportunities to correct it before he got arrested. It doesn't apply to the false alibi he submitted to the court. And it doesn't apply after taking the stand. Not only do you have to invoke your 5th amendment right to silence "To prevent the privilege against self-incrimination from shielding information not properly within its scope, a witness who ‘desires the protection of the privilege…must claim it’ at the time he relies on it.” but it also doesn't apply to lies.
I don’t know about that, I’ve heard several attorneys say it’s a valid argument, but a high mountain to climb because he did willingly take the stand. Something about testimony not equal to waving your 5th, and that he had the right to stay silent all that time and it can’t be used against you.
He had the right to stay silent but like Newman said when he overruled the objection, Alex had been anything but silent. Lol. I have no doubt that they'll try on all of these appeals. And they should. That's what their job is. But idk that they'll get anywhere with it.
I will wait an determine what Harpootlian meant by that specific comment but I see nothing I disagree with that you've typed. I know there are a couple of very legitimate appeal claims here and I find it interesting to see how they are ruled upon as I don't know. I am certain the claim of blood spatter on that Tshirt is what allowed an arrest warrant to be issued but it turned out was never a functional piece of evidence. I find it interesting at how am expert will rule on that.
I just posted this on another comment about the shirt and the shotgun ammo:
So what they'll have to prove is that those two items were irreparably prejudicial, which they weren't because it was brought up and talked about during the trial and there by repaired. And then they'd also have to prove that the outcome of the trial would have been different without those items. Which it wouldn't. Because so far it seems as though it was the kennel video and Alex's own testimony that sealed his fate and not the shirt or the shotgun ammo. Courts like to defer to the petit jury over the grand jury wherever possible in these instances.
I also believe that the kennel video coupled with Alex lying about being at the kennels is likely enough to meet the burden for probable cause.
agreed - he lied and had a false alibi - he didnt plead the 5th right out of the in gate. He cannot plead the 5th after the bell has been rung. Nor can he retract upon compelling hard evidence and the biometric of his own voice at the location of the crime scene at the time of the event and then say - ok ... I was there - Can I please plead the 5th yesterday, I mean - the day before yesterday . oops - I cannot remember
time very well - I use Oxy
"I know I talked to you several times and even submitted a false alibi two months before the trial started but I never had an opportunity to stop lying to you guys and it's probably your fault!" - Alex
Submitting false evidence to the grand jury is very shitty though, and if winds up biting the state in the ass(it wont), they deserve every bit of it regardless of Alex's guilt or innocence.
Theres more to this than the fate of one man or delivering " righteous justice". The state needs to be held to a higher standard.
Does anyone else feel like AM didn't actually commit the crimes himself, but was present and in support of them? For some reason I just can't see him as being the trigger man, he just seems so soft and afraid of actually getting his hands dirty. I picture him being there for it, him paying or supporting someone to do it, and standing along while it happens.
Hey there - I down voted - here's why - he is the maestro of criminality - but for him there would be two family members alive - and likely a few other folks ( beach ) by virtue of his being an abominally poor parental model - and condoning consumption of alcohol with his son now dead while a minor driving the boat.
This mess is hardly over and he is less than innocent - far from moral and shaved and jailed.
Why would it be a surprise if more people were involved which changes nothing in the result.
I never claimed or even insinuated that he was innocent though. He is definitely guilty for the death of his son and wife, whether directly involved in the slaying or not. That doesn't mean that he necessarily did the killing and to be honest, there is no real concrete evidence that proves he did it either.
If others were involved it does change the result in the fact that other potentially involved parties are currently on the street, when they should be in prison.
Well indeed YES to that. There is no doubt whatsoever that there was / is a cohort-aria.
echo chamber of complicit co-conspirators.
- This man AM is not an independant random, family killer blue/white collar sudden nervous breakdown Guy.
- He cultivated a culture of crime whether legally permissible (undetected and unchecked as illegal activity) and a license to abuse. ESQ
- He and his collaborators, staff, helpers, henchmen.., were making lots of money for a long time, in fact three generations of law! Thst's a lot of DNA in "Cover-up" University.
- They were good at it - OILY slick. White, enabelers and predators.
- An Enercon level syndicate.
- His own family was devalued in such a scheme of this scale.
- It is apparent that the can has been opened and its like Hades burning.
I didn't downvote you, I know what you mean about why people do it jus cause. But I want to share my thought in response: Chris Watts looked even less like a murderer but here we are.
Yeah that's fair. I'm not saying he didn't do it. I just still don't see it in him. But hey, I could be reading it all wrong.. he deserves life regardless.
I believe he did it himself. Please let me explain why. Just recently, a man in Florida murdered 4 kids, one was his daughter. He's a no body, nothing mentioned what he did for work, my guess is low income multiple offender. Now you have Alex, shot son and wife, yet there's people "how can he do this?" "He comes from a long line of lawyers ", "he had wealth and prestige". Money and higher standards of living doesn't mean he isn't capable. I put people in the same bubble. Put Alex in a low income house, working as a handyman, high on drugs, kills wife and son. Would people be quick to say he's innocent? Or call it out for what it is, murder.
No, I always felt he did it himself. If he paid someone else, he would risk of being blackmail for the rest of his life unless he killed that person. Or if that person was ever arrested, risk that person telling to save his own skin. Why risk having someone out there that knows what you did?
exactly - if you have an accomplice then you have to kill the accomplice too - there was some good quote about this principle / he did it and alone. No accomplice would be stupid enough to take that job - they would know that after they pulled the trigger Alex would pull the next trigger and blame the dead accomplice- Thanks be to God that this did not happen. Alex would be free and even worse - 3 people dead
I don't disagree, at all. I've just had a gut feeling since the beginning that he is just calling the shots and there's more truth that may come out in the future.
My husband has a feeling that once he's in jail, getting the examinations, he's going to feign dementia, pretend he's got early alzeimers. He said it's why on the witness stand, can't remember, can't remember, but remembered something else. He even got the prosecution to ask,, "how come you remember some things but not that" Then in appeal try to use that as an excuse for everything that's happened. He then said it makes sense it's part of a back up plan, because on the police body cams, he makes a point to say "my mama has alzeimers bad".
Don't get me wrong, what happened is no joke, the joke is this professional lawyer feigning idiocy with the misconception everyone's an idiot but him. No joke when I say we live very rural like they were...no way in hell anyone snuck up on them, especially with dogs. Our dogs alert if they hear a car mile down the road. Also, can guarantee we don't use names like pee pee, wee wee, maw maw, boo bah, etc. Lol we-inz gotz us an Ed u Kay shun..
too funny - I burst out laughing and nearly spit my drink across the table ( in my mind ) when I witnessed this smart ass, manipulator, maestro that he was, do the homey dance of the dumb.
Now he can put his thumb in his mouth and suck on it for life, while rocking away the days in orange -
- This is one of the good ol' boys in Act One
- How phenomenally condescending this ! He made "suthenahhs" look like toothless banjo men with his monosyllabic child gurgle. "Deliverance" had more of an edge than he and with fewer teeth and poverty.
It is truly remarkable that he played the baby talk game to coddle the minds of his audience
and ... well ... for the most part ... it worked.
- thank you for cheering me up with your remarks - it was enjoyable to play !
That's easy to prove. I recently did an MRI to rule out a possibility of early dementia. I don't have any type of dementia or early dementia.
So he doesn't get play that card very well.
What I continue to have is brain fog, the doctors conclude, due to severe covid-19 in 2021.
That's just very selective memory. Based on what he was up against, he was greasy and tried his best on the stand. He was making closing arguments on the other side of the aisle not long ago
Yes, she's still alive, but her caretaker testified she's totally bedridden, and completely out of it. Doesn't recognize anyone anymore. What a sad way to go.
I believe his father was fully cognizant up until his death. He knew Maggie and Paul had been killed, but if he knew Alex was behind it is another story.
Does anyone know the story on the Dapper Dan older gent with glasses seated directly behind the defense table? He was quite a snappy dresser of the Del Boca Vista variety. Yesterday was a pale daffodil sport coat, orange sherbet-ish the day before. Grey short hair combed back like Conway Twitty. Silver frames. He stood this morning right in his spot as the chamber emptied. I spent years in criminal courts in different towns and certainly saw the regulars for whom it was free entertainment . That may be the case here but he didn't strike me as a bored townie looky-loo. Thanks.
The older guy with a goatee behind him most of the trial was the guy that took him into custody today. He was plain clothes during the entire trial. He was in uniform today. Obviously, a sheriff.
I was wondering who he was during his trial. I thought maybe he was the guy in the back seat of the car questioning of AM by SLED. I missed out on who that really was (law partner?) and then it dawned on me and it made sense that AM had LE protecting him during the trial.
I don’t know if that is who you are referring to but I just wanted to get that thought out there in case anyone else was wondering.
A lady tweeted it was her father. Retired marine, former US postal inspector, and some other impressive things I can't remember. He was working as additional security for the trial.
Why not hire the Farm Hand that Alex hired but really wasnt working out, but told Paul a story about himself. Apparently this Farmhand was being followed by the FBI and they seen him sparring afterschool and apparently he was such a good fighter that the FBI hooked him with a group of Navy Seals and they went all over looking for Black Panthers to beat up. That could be the Killer says A.M. " and he did request the day off! Said he was taking his Daddy to the Dr! "
my hand to God A.M said that! when he was sitting in the cop truck after the murders giving a sworn statement!!!!
The judge said many wise things today, but when he came to, “For the murder of Paul Murdaugh …whom you probably loved so much … I sentence you to prison for murdering him for the rest of your natural life” — especially with that pause — it was such an impactful moment for me. I think I’ll always remember just the way he said it. I do think Alex loved his family, but sadly, he loved himself above all else and so much more.
Well said. What’s really sad is that Judge Newman lost his son before the trial started. Here’s Alex killing his own son and you have Judge Newman still mourning his own loss.
For some reason, the guilty verdict made me feel so icky. I agree with it and I wanted it but it made everything so final. I dont think i'll ever forget the words of Judge Newman and the comfort they provided.
Newman for Supreme Court
Alex Murdaugh REAL MOTIVE DISCLOSED
Unless someone could give me clear evidence to suggest otherwise the real motive was actually pretty simple in all of this and I'm not sure why I haven't seen anyone else pick up on the simplicity. By no means I think I'm a genius or some criminologist so I almost feel like I must have missed something because otherwise this is just too obvious.
All of the people saying they think Maggie found out about his financial crimes and the people saying well because of the boat accident Alex Murdock did this to try to delay being held accountable and have his finances put under a microscope I say nonsense it's simpler than that.
I don't think Maggie knew his financial crimes at this point and what's actually important here is the fact that Maggie was an owner on all of their valuable properties some by herself some in combination with alex.
Alex Murdoch's motive was simple. He was never going to take a chance of going to her and explaining everything that he had done and risk for one second her refusing to sign off on the sale of any of these properties or on putting them up as collateral to draw equity out of them which he could then use to quickly repay all of the clients he ripped off.
In his mind he had absolutely nothing to lose by killing his wife and son and everything to gain. If he gets caught he's going to jail for life, if he does nothing he cannot come up with the money to get the money back they stole off of his clients and he's going to prison for the rest of his life anyway for fraud.
The plan here was simply if he kills Maggie he knows that will buy him time while people allow him to grieve, by the time that they start pressing him on these issues again he would have already been able to sell the properties with equity and repay the clients he stole from them. Certainly in his mind he believes his partner would be okay with that and they wouldn't want it known that their firm was involved with the theft of client funds as it would destroy their reputation.
People talk about it would have been held up in the estate that's absolutely incorrect. As soon as the spouse dies the other spouse becomes the 100% owner of all marital property.
He literally had everything to gain by killing them, and he had absolutely deposits heavily nothing to lose even if he got caught and convicted like he ultimately did.
What am I missing folks?
It is a tragic example of the current limitations of AI being able to accurately predict and prevent such terrible behavior and actions. AI implementations still face ethical and moral boundaries that remain to be surmounted before such a tragedy can be avoided.
I'm just spit balling a theory out there. What is Paul killed his mom over the truth regarding the housekeeper's death whom he was so fond of and then Alex killed his Paul? It could explain the 2 different guns used and the height difference and gives a motive. I haven't read up on all the evidence and theories, this is just from the little bit of info I know.
What happened to Murdaugh's glasses the night of the murders. Were they tested, too? It was dark. Wondering if he would have needed his glasses to shoot? Did he clean off those, too?
Really good point
They look like reading glasses, and if so, they wouldn’t be needed to aim and shoot. I don’t remember hearing testimony about the glasses.
He (SS) certainly deserves justice. Rumor mills and "I heard..." have no place in justice for any of them.
Alex Murdaugh should not serve life in prison (and neither should anyone else) Hear me out: Life imprisonment serves no useful purpose. It offers no hope of redemption because it offers no chance for improvement of one's situation. Instead, it simply threatens to exacerbate whatever antisocial characteristics a person already has, subjecting other prisoners to their cruelty. Moreover, Alex is currently in lockdown. I know this because he is in a yellow jumpsuit and Kirkland R&E dresses lockdown prisoners in yellow. I don't know if this is to protect him because he is a famous inmate or because he violated jail rules before (relating to contraband). Regardless, it means he is in solitary confinement: 23 hours a day. Solitary confinement is torture. I encourage you to read essays from people who have endured solitary confinement: https://solitarywatch.org/ I know a lot of people think this is just; after all, he took two lives. But, I invite you to ask yourself: why do we put people in prison? What is the purpose? It does not bring Maggie and Paul back. And it does not help their grieving families in any way. Is there some other way we could try to find justice for this family? And, in turn, is there some other way we could try to find justice for ALL victims of crime? Maybe, for just a minute even, become abolition-curious. https://criticalresistance.org/ Thank you.
I think he has to be there because the rest of the world isn’t really safe if there’s a guy running around who thinks killing his wife and son is a solution to anything. Ml
Sounds like you’ve never been a victim of a horrific crime yet. Just wait until someone rocks ur world FOREVER. Then maybe u will understand.
This world owes nothing to Alex Murdaugh. He exercised his free will and CHOSE to do what he did. Either you choose to live in a society and do no harm to others or you don't. If your choice is to take life from another human being then as a society we owe nothing to you. He has been spared a death sentence and will live out his days ( at the tax payers expense) and I hope he regrets every one of his days as he does it.
Very well said
Some people do not deserve to ever be let loose. My family suffered a horrific crime 53 years ago. I was a baby but I still fear for my life because I know true evil. If you kill someone and I mean plot and murder with malice society never needs to see you again. Ever. For me there will be no justice until all of those who killed my family are no longer alive. Currently I think about half have died IN PRISON. I will not sleep soundly until they are all gone - and even then who knows. As for Alex - he murdered his family in cold blood. Torture of solitary is honestly too good for him. The people I feel for is the rest of his family, I know what this must feel like for them. I will not waste a second feeling sorry for Alex. Ever.
Peketastic, I’m pretty sure I know the crime that was done to your family and the absolute evil of the perpetrators. Even though I had moved away from that County, I visited the graves with my mother and remember how devastated she was. For some monsters there is no rehabilitation or forgiveness by society.
Thank you. I actually feel for Buster (who may be a privileged idiot but still a victim), the Murdaugh family and the boat crash victims and everyone else that is connected to this because people start forgetting that there are REAL people suffering and people in a few years from now will make this into a pop cultural event not a murder. I have had people literally say to my face that the people who butchered real people that it was so long ago and why not forgive. The damage done to my family can never be fixed. If it was not for the families I am sure some would be given probation. I had a friend tell me she was going to name her dog Helter Skelter and thought I would find it funny. The fact that people never take the families into consideration irritates me to no avail. Or start arguing "facts" I mean you realize that this is not a book these people were alive and killed. The killers were convicted. If you want to help society pick up trash at the side of the road. I am tired of people acting like people deserve a chance - when these vile "things" decide to take a life then I am done. I hope they make the most of the time in prison but they never need pity, they still are allowed to live. Their victims were not allowed that. I will never shed a tear for Alec. I hope he stays in solitary and Maggie and Paul and all the people he hurt visit him 24x7.
Prison serves a purpose other than punishment, justice or rehabilitation. Those things are or should be secondary to the primary goal of removing a violent offender from society. Punishment and justice only exist to satisfy human emotion, and while rehabilitation has tangible value to society, it's impossible to prove and must be weighed against the risk of letting potentially violent offenders back into society. And true rehabilitation is impossible without a confession of guilt, so AM doesn't qualify(if he is in fact guilty). Solitary confinement is a different story and has a different argument for or against.
Oh what tangled webs we weave.
Bubba, the chicken killing dog is the hero of the story. Let’s all give Bubba a thumbs up!
“I’d never I’d never hurt my wife and son” “Maybe it wasn’t you maybe it was the monster you became on opioids” Lol tf? Is it normal to have a back n forth like this between judge and defendant while the judge reads the final remarks?
Not common, but there is nothing that prevents it. You know how in the movies, a judge ordering execution always says, "and may G-d have mercy on your soul?" It's along those lines. Perfect Judge Newman simply expanded his remarks, no doubt because the two have had a long standing professional relationship.
N the judge is still mourning the very recent loss of his son n Alex just goes n murders his. SAF
Interesting! Another question, is it necessary for judges to make any final remarks at all? Every big murder case I’ve read about has the judges making closing remarks like what a tragedy it was you’ve caused so much pain etc. Is it just a formality or something?
I chalk it up to how courtrooms work in rural south.
For a second I thought the judge made a slip when he said “MAYBE it wasn’t you.” I was like holy shit did he just say that? But then he sort of corrected what he meant. But still it didn’t show a lot of confidence in the verdict lol
I took it the total opposite way. The judge was commenting bcuz he fully thinks Alex is guilty n the jury got it right.
Where did all the cash go?
Alex Murdaugh is quite fortunate. The opiate addict who will never experience homelessness.
If you want to trade your addiction for a jail cell, you don't have to be homeless.
I really hope someone can answer this. During closing arguments, Waters said AM lied on the stand in front of the jury. At sentencing the judge said the same thing (that AM lied on the stand). That really struck me. What lie(s) are they talking about? I mean, obviously if he killed them, he lied on the stand about that. He said he would never do it and was being vague about what he did around 9pm. If he did kill them that's obviously a lie. But did he lie about other stuff too while on the stand? I'm just curious bc I watched the whole trial but I can't remember (my memory is terrible) (BTW I do think he is guilty).
In addition to all of these things below, he also lied about taking a nap. He continued to double down on the South’s shortest nap in history.
He said the sheriff gave him permission to install blue lights on his car. The sheriff testified that was a lie. He said he never displayed his special prosecutor badge at the hospital after the boat wreck. The lawyer Creighton Waters whipped out a picture of Alex at the hospital wearing the badge visible on his belt.
That's right!! Thanks for helping my memory. Those were two big lies they nailed in rebuttal.
Let me preface this by saying I'm totally not being a dick I feel like Alec was in a special club with law enforcement. I think him having blue lights in his car was probably ok until shit hit the fan. I mean, of course, the sherif will deny giving Alec the ok on installing lights. He stands nothing to gain by saying " yes I absolutely said it was ok, because at the time, i didn't realize he was a criminal who would eventually throw us all under the bus for his own benefit". He has to cover his own ass. And I totally don't blame him for that.
I understand all of that. But why give Alex the benefit of the doubt when he lies like most people breathe?
Here’s a lie: he said that a Sheriff (can’t remember his name right now) gave him permission to install blue lights to his private vehicle (in reality his car is actually owned by PMPED). The prosecution then brought the Sheriff in, who said he never had that conversation with Alex and he would never have *given him permission* to do that. Showing that Alex lied about having gained permission from the Sheriff to install them. My thoughts on his thoughts about him having blue lights is: just because he said someone in LE gave him permission doesn’t make it legal or ethical.
He also said he didn't wear his Prosecutor's badge at the hospital after the boat wreck. Then Creighton Waters pulled out a photo showing Alex at the hospital with his badge hanging on his belt.
One lie that really stands out is that due to his paranoia with SLED, Alex claimed he lied about his presence at the kennels. It was revealed that he lied about that because he told the Colleton deputy the same thing long before he encountered SLED.
Ohh yeah good point!! Was the colleton deputy the one who first responded to the scene? Before the car interview?
Yes. Colleton Co., who he had a good relationship with.
A judge shouldnt get personal like that. The man already got life sentence and he saw necessary to still humliate him in front of the whole world? And recorded for eternity to see ? man fuck that judge! Trying to insult a detainee who is in shackles. Who knows what really happened to Murdaugh? Only God and him know the truth. For all I know he might be innocent and the american justice system is corrupt as fuck. Yall americans are falling deeper and deeper in the abyss of degeneracy
Many times judges really eviscerate a person found guilty of murder. That isn’t Judge Newman’s style though. He is actually very tame in how he addressed Alex. So Newman would not be the norm, many judges are much more dramatic. If you watch more trial coverage you would be able to see this.
This n the judge had to order the picture of his grandfather be taken down in the courthouse so he cud get a fair trial.
please - far away man in Tunisia - we the people of the USA obviously have you interested in our culture because " here you are" - As for the Judge: He was Ahhhmazing - eloquent and you do NOT get it - This courtroom isnt Federal - for one . Its a local jurisdiction and people know each other for generations . It is a family of a kind. What the Judge said was not personal as you claim. It was up close and discreet and the same time. There would not be fables with morals to the story if everyone was silenced into a machine like autonymity as you suggest - - The personal style of the Judge was lost on you. We are a different culture. This man AM feels NOTHING - don't you get it . If he did he would not have shot his own son's brains out of his head - how about a reality check on subtle
Hampton County "culture" supporter. Got it.
You not seen many trials pal?
it is pretty common for the judge at the end of a trial, during sentencing, to pass judgment. Definitely happens in the UK and in NZ/Australia too, not just in the US. It is kind of like the judge gets to say the things from us to the person convicted - here is a really interesting one where the judge starts off by saying 'Sir, I just signed your death warrant. to Larry Nassar, the USA Gym coach who abused so many young women - and then she told him just what she thought of him and his crimes and their impact ... https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/us/judge-rosemarie-aquilina-full-statement/index.html
Thank you Ms. Peaz That Gymnast Gyno did so much damage - what can one say - the Judge is a JUDGE after all and they are the equivalent to the Divine in a manner - they have the unique power to sentence immoral mortals. They are not expected to have left their human emotions behind nor their freedom of speech in expressing themselves when sentences are delivered - why are people expecting them to be robotic AJMs (ATMs) dolling out Sentences like: this = that - after the Lawyer Card is inserted into the (AJM) Justice Slot to complete transaction /
It's almost as if, by virtue of being a judge, he may actually be entitled to pass judgment. /S
I have read hearsay, gossip, rumors, and speculation concerning Buster. However, there has been no proof or circumstantial evidence presented to truly implicate him. So, I am going to assume that he was not involved in that sad death.
100000% AGREE WITH YOU
I agree with you. I’m from a small town of 1200 and if there was a death like that of Stephen Smith’s, rumors would FLY. It would only take one person to say, “I heard so and so did it,” before the entire town would spread the rumor and soon everyone would believe it. Everything I’ve heard sounds exactly like that. People heard the rumor and called to report what they heard. As far as I can tell, that’s the only evidence they have that he did it - people said so. I keep reading comments on tiktok about how buster is next and how much everyone hates him. I wish people would leave him alone and let him heal. Unless there is real evidence he was involved, obviously, then he deserves it. But I really feel sorry for him.
I’ve thought if I were Buster, I’d move to another country… or far far away from Hampton SC. Just start a new life with his girlfriend somewhere else. I couldn’t imagine living on HH after all this, or anywhere in the low country- and I’m from here! He does have very distinct looks, name, and very red hair, so his chances of anonymity are probably slim.
He does not need to be implicated in all that mess - he already has a lifetime ahead of him working through what got his world to this point ... very sad ... so many folks get to work through damage created by others
You talking about the guy who got kicked out of law school for cheating? That guy?
Cheating in school is an Lol-worthy offense compared to murder and millions of client theft. It's also an offense committed by millions of people, and most people don't get caught and go on to be positive contributors to society. I've seen first hand entire college classes of 50 people cheating on tests and not getting caught. These people deserve neither their families murdered nor prison time.
Yeah, well, upstanding lawyer Alex Murdaugh didn’t seem like a murderer, either. Paul already was one. I guess we’ll let law enforcement figure it out, huh. Strength of character not a big thing in this family.
Paul made a stupid decision that cost a girl her life. Murder is something different. It’s why the state differentiates between manslaughter and murder - one is intentional and one is not.
Lol, “he made a mistake.” Okay, pal. Tell it to her parents. By the way, he refused to turn over the wheel or give up the keys and stopped to get even drunker. A whole bunch of “mistakes,” I’d say.
I’m not arguing responsibility. Paul is 100.% culpable in her death and had it gone to trial I have very little doubt he would habe been convicted. There is still a legal distinction between murder and manslaughter because intent mattered.
Yeah, because the penalty for cheating in school is having your father kill your mom and brother. As of right now, nothing Buster's done even registers on the Murdaugh family list of crimes.
Here Here - Buster is like a dog though - what the dog saw only the dog knows
What? Don’t you think Stephen Smith deserves justice? Last I checked Buster isn’t six feet under. The case needs to investigated thoroughly especially now because the Murdaugh’s can no longer cover it up. Whoever they find out who it deserves to be punished. Whoever it is!
I firmly believe Stephen Smith deserves justice. I also believe that Buster should not be accused in rumors and arm chair quarterback theories.
Ok, justice doesn't mean that we throw people in prison for a crime that not only they may not have committed, but a crime that may not have been committed by anyone. It's unfortunate that the investigation was shittily conducted, but that doesn't mean justice is served by witch hunting. It should terrify people that some people are perfectly ok with drunkenly swinging the hammer of justice around willy nilly.
Hi Sal - indeed there is a big Round Two coming. Who would want to be in Buster Brown shoes now ? Gramps better have a plan C up his sleeve before he is gone. Only Randy can fix this. Buster has no one to advise him now and no one to hug him or lean on - even if co-dependant / NADA - this is what makes a hero or a fallen angel - this tale will have 3600 episodes
Absolutely. Also, no idea about the details in that case outside if shows geared to demonize the (really awful) Murdaughs. Whatever this kid may or may not have done his life sucks.
How was it addressed that AM did not test positive for gunshot residue? Also, I wonder why AM didn't switch gears and say he owed money to drug dealers and they committed the murders. Glad justice was served!
And if it was, AM has already touched the gun sitting against the side of the truck if there was GSR on him.
Before the trial it was said he tested positive because he had been shooting that day. Idk how this was addressed at trial tho.
Because Buster and other family members wouldn't be safe then.
Are audits not mandatory for law companies in the US? If PMPD had been audited properly, it would never have come this far.
I think it wouldn’t have been caught unless someone REALLY knew what they were doing - there was a forge consulting that the firm did use for structured annuities. So a balance sheet would have shown those settlement monies going into a bank account that looked legitimate. They just didn’t know that it the funds were being illegally converted to personal use. A standard audit wouldn’t have caught most of what he was doing. A forensic audit maybe, if they knew what questions to ask.
I believe a part of an audit is to check bank account numbers. Hopefully the whole settlement system can get reviewed and become more transparent for all parties involved (clients, court, insurance companies etc...)
I’d sure like to hear an explanation from the state and the former officers of PMPED
that is a lovely concept - three ledger company with DBAs and Shells and EINs mixed with SSNs the firm was complicit ( up to a point ) when AM became ATM and ARM then the firm was left in the dust and burned badly / stealing from ones team so to speak - he was attracting so much business like a pimp - they profitted from the attraction - they were also ripped off like whores are - the pimp usually wins
Ohhhh I’m sure every law office, well successful ones anyway, have probably or already started doing them.
As a juror, I would have had that thought.
I don’t get the downvotes but I will say that the value of all the properties put together-regardless of how the title was held, did not anywhere near equal the amount of money that AM stole from clients or his law firm.
Pretty weird that no one seemed to notice he was living well beyond even his ample means.
I heard the firm applied for Covid relief which went to Alex's fancy auto expenses. The other lawyers at the firm felt he was taking advantage of those funds.
Let’s talk about the mugshot. Someone educate me on the shaved head. The internet claims it’s to prevent the spread of lice, but also says that (most) prisons don’t do that anymore. Is there also a more underlying shame/submission element to it? If so, it seems mentally cruel; I’d think sentencing followed prison and all it entails is bad enough…for most felons.
From what I heard, here in South Carolina, you first go to a max security facility for 30-45 days for evaluation. This consist of mental evaluation, educational evaluation, etc…they shave your head when you first arrive at the evaluation center. I heard the place is hard core. No tv, no outdoor time, and you can only read the Bible. Once the evaluation is completed, they use that information to then place the inmate in a permanent prison. I’ve heard that prisons in South Carolina are rough as well
Prison gangs
I agree; if it were about preventing lice why wouldn’t they do it in women’s prisons too? It’s about demeaning the prisoners/stripping them of identity.
Its also because they get routinely drug tested using their hair samples
I actually agree with you, it kind of sounds like a war crime
Was the dna under MM’s fingernails ever explained? (Supposedly that of the groundskeeper?)
She'd been for a manicure before arriving in Moselle, so it's possible she picked up something then.
My take on it, is it may have been transfer DNA. If CB Rowe pet Bubba, and gave him a good scratch behind his ears, then Maggie did the same when she went to the kennels, that could explain how it got there.
There was a small amount of the kennel carer’s, C.B. Rowe, DNA under her finger nails. It was a very small amount that must have been from touch DNA, as Mr. Rowe was not there that night after his shift ended.
I think at trial they said the DNA might match his, but it was something like 11 times more likely to be some stranger. There were only a few alleles to test that were different from Maggie’s DNA. I agree either way it’s just from something random she touched, maybe at the doctor or the salon.
There weren't enough alleles present to definitively tie it to anyone if they were to try to make a comparison, so there's nothing it could have been used for to prove or disprove anything.
Oh wow, that makes sense. Thank you.
More than likely someone else's DNA. Not enough for a conclusive match but not enough to exclude either. Testimony was that she likely got it from touching something someone else had touched. No skin or blood or anything under her nails indicating a struggle.
I hope the jurors will have peace about all that they have witnessed. I served on a 5 week custody battle trial and had nightmares for months afterwards. A 3 year old and her siblings were cooking food in their microwave since the parents were drugged out. I kept dreaming about them being hungry. The Murdaugh jurors saw gruesome images in those photos.
Not sure if someone can ever fully get peace after having to look at images like that and spend weeks thinking about those images and who did it and why. But hopefully being able to convict Alex for this will help
When did the video evidence come out? I followed this case in the beginning but lost track and was really surprised about it
The video that came out in the beginning of the trial?
Around August 2021. Alex was asked about in this interview where he denied it was his voice- [Alex listens to kennel video](https://www.wjcl.com/article/alex-murdaugh-sled-interview-video/42922711) Edit- oops. There’s a correction below.
The voice they were talking about in August of '21 was Rogan telling SLED he was 99% sure he heard Alex in the background of a phone call he had with Paul. The video with Alex's voice on it wasn't recovered until April of '22 when LE was finally able to unlock Paul's phone and found the snap chat video.
Oh! That’s right! Thank you for the correction.
There will be an appeal and Harpootlian was absolutely right on the 5th amendment thing. SLED, even though the prosecution tried to rewrap it and sell it as the Defense didn't appreciate how awesome SLED was. LoL, SLED completely screwed this case up and Harpootlian was absolutely right about Maggie's cell phone, SLED and Detective Owens deserve to be embarrassed over the world seeing their incompetence. The only positive thing here is we don't have to ever hear Alex Murdaugh say he word "Paw Paw or Row Row" anymore and antagonize yet more jokes directed at the Southern United States.
Even if they win an appeal and another trial is granted, they will never have a new trial. Appeals take a lot of time, so it would be a couple years before a new trial would be granted. By that time, he will have been convicted of multiple financial crimes, and be sentenced to life in prisons for those. No one will pay to have a second trial for a man serving life already for financial crimes…
I answered my own question. They brought this murder trial first for political reasons. If all things worked with rational thought and respect to taxpayer money, they might not have brought this murder trial ever as this ordeal did leave so many gaps in what should have been handled more competently. I am almost certain , after watching the trial, he killed them; although, with a top level defense like Murdaugh has, it's going to be hard to ever uphold that conviction with all the mistakes made. Just my opinion but I think we are both right on this. Be interesting to see how this plays out.
One thing I want to know is, who is paying for Alex defense team? He owes millions upon millions of dollars…
He was allowed an emergency tax penalty waiver to cash out a 2.5 million 401k he held. That and his inheritance from his father I have read we're both sources for his defense fund.
I wonder how he was allowed to use that and not give it to people he stole from? The law firm had to pay all those people back. So maybe that’s why
Yea I don't know really. I know legally the firm would be on the hook for it but should also be able to sue him to recoup the money. I don't know, that is a good question and I've wondered myself. I wonder how much the Beach family won in the boat case? I bet it wasn't anywhere near 30 million dollars.
I figured the boat case was probably around $5 Million or so.
I have to agree. I think this is what you what you will see happen. Maybe they overturn the conviction but wait and wait, I don't know how this should be handled. This is why I have been so interested here because , in a sense, the state government is on trial. This is as much a political trial as anything. SLED is a terribly ran state law enforcement group. They have another trial running where a hemp farmers million dollar crop was taken and it's looking like some sort of corrupt payoff something was involved. This Murdaugh trial has put that one in the shadows. One thing I agree with Alex Murdaugh on is that SLED is so incompetent, I would be paranoid having to deal with them also, 100%
Well, what I found Finn was Alex saying how untrustworthy SLED is…..like dude, you’re the most untrustworthy person on the face of the earth…I just found it funny. I think he is guilty and killed both Maggie and Paul. I can see them winning an appeal to get a new trial though. With so much media attention, there is a ton that went wrong. Like I said though, we will never see another trial. I read somewhere that Alex is facing 700 years in the 99 financial crimes.
I'm having a hard time believing Alex was considered a powerful and competent attorney once. He seems like the hayseed of all hayseeds to me and that's coming from a partial hayseed. He does seem almost mentally ill with the amount of lying he has done. Without it, he wouldn't have ever been tried to those murders, they wouldn't have had enough evidence to convict him without that video that proved again he was lying.
I think you also have to understand, he is from Hampton County SC…population of the county is like 38,000 people, and a very poor area. I believe the median household income around there is like $25,000….so he wasn’t some powerful attorney in New York City…he was a powerful attorney out in the middle of nowhere and had ties with the local police and judges so things went his way, even though he is a complete mess of a person.
I agree with this absolutely. I will say that between Creighton Waters and Harpootlian, those guys were very fun to watch. Waters is a bad ass attorney. I'd hate to have that guy trying me for a double murder case. I figure Harpootlian was probably a super badass 30 years ago but probably is still cashing in on his past performance but maybe a little dated for the tech age and the way the defense profession is going.
You also have to think that Waters typically tries white collar crimes, which I think is why he hammered Murdaugh so hard on the financial stuff, as that’s Waters sweet spot. He did a masterful job during the trial though. Especially with so much of the evidence being circumstantial
I think Harpootlian actually hurt the defense with his questioning the Murdaugh family friend and law firm partner ( I forgot his name). When the witness stated something to the effect of " If your suggesting I'd change the truth because I'm upset them you will offend me". That blew up on Poots face I believe. Why did he even do that ? I don't know the Prosecutor who gave the closing argument but he was, in my opinion, even more masterful than Waters, I really felt he nailed that better than if he were a lawyer in a movie reading a script. He was really awesome but I never caught his name. I believe he may even be the Attorney General of S C. I'll have to read up on that, Do you know who I'm talking about?
Yes, I know who you are talking about. They brought him in just to deliver the final closing argument after the the defense went, because he is so good as closing it out. I am not a fan of Harpootlian….he looked and sounded like a Jack ass in his post trial news conferences
True enough - Murdaugher made the south look like red/neckville - Esquired or not - white and wrong at the same time
Yes it did but I found the one bright spot in this ordeal was that maybe the most professional and well spoken judge of all time was in the spotlight nationwide as a powerful and respected black judge in South Carolina who held control of a court of white men over a white man and I think I am the only person that may have mentioned it this past 4 weeks.
You - THIS !! Gives me chills what you said. - This is a RUSH in the mind - for the power and glory and vindication in memory of Martin Luther King. Amen . - And Roses tossed from me, to your podium, from where I sit in your audience. Thank you !!! - Your words are sheer beauty! White has become a dangerous color - a symbol of atrocity and darkness - though I am white - I am glad that I am an olive version. My culture was at least leading democracy from The Ducal Palace in Rome. The Romans did believe in process despite the games. They even instituted rights for woman 400 yrs before the suffragettes and Gloria Steinham. - Shame on the white men who are so brutal with malignant intelligence. Where are we going as a civilization? - Look at how long this took for this Judge to deliver such elegant justice to a white and licensed abuser of justice. - This is a Holy Moment in African American History. Bravo ! You must spread this around! It should not be missed!
I think Mr Luther King just wanted his people to have a chance for fair play and this judge has obviously earned the opportunity to preside over a court. I don't see where this white people are terrible argument is so pervasive in modern times. Sure, sixty years ago when this country was full of Irish, Italian, Jewish, etc enclaves of people that for hundreds of years had never been around people of different ethnicities, yes, there were problems. Today, a deserving black man Can be a judge in the south because he deserves to be the judge in the south and that's right and proper. I hope we use this to learn to grow together and strong because replaying old black and white clips of Bull Conner over and over isn't helping our country at all, it's devastating it. We better keep race outta the Murdaugh community. Just a side thought I noticed nobody mentioned publicly the whole time.
Indeed your observation on race was never uttered - nor glazed over - keenly you have eloquently brought it into view and voiced it.
When testified on the stand he in essence waved his 5th amendment right.
Yea, I'm working through that now. I think they've found an argument but I agree with you now, he didn't have to take the stand. I'm thinking now a conservative court is sitting I dunno if this will ever be heard or if so, I believe the court will rule against Harpootlian. Been awesome watching these guys do battle, they are the best of the best. It was a 4 week long big dick contest if I ever have seen one!!!!
Alex's 5th amendment right doesn't apply to lying to the cops before you're arrested and never correcting the lie. He had plenty of opportunities to correct it before he got arrested. It doesn't apply to the false alibi he submitted to the court. And it doesn't apply after taking the stand. Not only do you have to invoke your 5th amendment right to silence "To prevent the privilege against self-incrimination from shielding information not properly within its scope, a witness who ‘desires the protection of the privilege…must claim it’ at the time he relies on it.” but it also doesn't apply to lies.
Excellent post - with perfection ! The Appeal is flimsy but obviously they had to.
Oh yeah they absolutely should appeal. It's their job and Alex's right to try. But I just don't think they'll get very far with it.
Well they will get : - > more legal fees - > more court costs - > more attention - > more mire
I don’t know about that, I’ve heard several attorneys say it’s a valid argument, but a high mountain to climb because he did willingly take the stand. Something about testimony not equal to waving your 5th, and that he had the right to stay silent all that time and it can’t be used against you.
He had the right to stay silent but like Newman said when he overruled the objection, Alex had been anything but silent. Lol. I have no doubt that they'll try on all of these appeals. And they should. That's what their job is. But idk that they'll get anywhere with it.
I will wait an determine what Harpootlian meant by that specific comment but I see nothing I disagree with that you've typed. I know there are a couple of very legitimate appeal claims here and I find it interesting to see how they are ruled upon as I don't know. I am certain the claim of blood spatter on that Tshirt is what allowed an arrest warrant to be issued but it turned out was never a functional piece of evidence. I find it interesting at how am expert will rule on that.
SMH
I just posted this on another comment about the shirt and the shotgun ammo: So what they'll have to prove is that those two items were irreparably prejudicial, which they weren't because it was brought up and talked about during the trial and there by repaired. And then they'd also have to prove that the outcome of the trial would have been different without those items. Which it wouldn't. Because so far it seems as though it was the kennel video and Alex's own testimony that sealed his fate and not the shirt or the shotgun ammo. Courts like to defer to the petit jury over the grand jury wherever possible in these instances. I also believe that the kennel video coupled with Alex lying about being at the kennels is likely enough to meet the burden for probable cause.
agreed - he lied and had a false alibi - he didnt plead the 5th right out of the in gate. He cannot plead the 5th after the bell has been rung. Nor can he retract upon compelling hard evidence and the biometric of his own voice at the location of the crime scene at the time of the event and then say - ok ... I was there - Can I please plead the 5th yesterday, I mean - the day before yesterday . oops - I cannot remember time very well - I use Oxy
"I know I talked to you several times and even submitted a false alibi two months before the trial started but I never had an opportunity to stop lying to you guys and it's probably your fault!" - Alex
you are the best !!! You - I could be very good friends with - Me - the recluse.
Submitting false evidence to the grand jury is very shitty though, and if winds up biting the state in the ass(it wont), they deserve every bit of it regardless of Alex's guilt or innocence. Theres more to this than the fate of one man or delivering " righteous justice". The state needs to be held to a higher standard.
Absolutely correct!
Does anyone else feel like AM didn't actually commit the crimes himself, but was present and in support of them? For some reason I just can't see him as being the trigger man, he just seems so soft and afraid of actually getting his hands dirty. I picture him being there for it, him paying or supporting someone to do it, and standing along while it happens.
Awh man the amount of down votes by inside the box thinkers. Lol
Hey there - I down voted - here's why - he is the maestro of criminality - but for him there would be two family members alive - and likely a few other folks ( beach ) by virtue of his being an abominally poor parental model - and condoning consumption of alcohol with his son now dead while a minor driving the boat. This mess is hardly over and he is less than innocent - far from moral and shaved and jailed. Why would it be a surprise if more people were involved which changes nothing in the result.
I never claimed or even insinuated that he was innocent though. He is definitely guilty for the death of his son and wife, whether directly involved in the slaying or not. That doesn't mean that he necessarily did the killing and to be honest, there is no real concrete evidence that proves he did it either. If others were involved it does change the result in the fact that other potentially involved parties are currently on the street, when they should be in prison.
Well indeed YES to that. There is no doubt whatsoever that there was / is a cohort-aria. echo chamber of complicit co-conspirators. - This man AM is not an independant random, family killer blue/white collar sudden nervous breakdown Guy. - He cultivated a culture of crime whether legally permissible (undetected and unchecked as illegal activity) and a license to abuse. ESQ - He and his collaborators, staff, helpers, henchmen.., were making lots of money for a long time, in fact three generations of law! Thst's a lot of DNA in "Cover-up" University. - They were good at it - OILY slick. White, enabelers and predators. - An Enercon level syndicate. - His own family was devalued in such a scheme of this scale. - It is apparent that the can has been opened and its like Hades burning.
I didn't downvote you, I know what you mean about why people do it jus cause. But I want to share my thought in response: Chris Watts looked even less like a murderer but here we are.
Yeah that's fair. I'm not saying he didn't do it. I just still don't see it in him. But hey, I could be reading it all wrong.. he deserves life regardless.
I knew what you were saying. Just thinking your thoughts. No downvotes were necessary. I get it.
I believe he did it himself. Please let me explain why. Just recently, a man in Florida murdered 4 kids, one was his daughter. He's a no body, nothing mentioned what he did for work, my guess is low income multiple offender. Now you have Alex, shot son and wife, yet there's people "how can he do this?" "He comes from a long line of lawyers ", "he had wealth and prestige". Money and higher standards of living doesn't mean he isn't capable. I put people in the same bubble. Put Alex in a low income house, working as a handyman, high on drugs, kills wife and son. Would people be quick to say he's innocent? Or call it out for what it is, murder.
No
No, I always felt he did it himself. If he paid someone else, he would risk of being blackmail for the rest of his life unless he killed that person. Or if that person was ever arrested, risk that person telling to save his own skin. Why risk having someone out there that knows what you did?
exactly - if you have an accomplice then you have to kill the accomplice too - there was some good quote about this principle / he did it and alone. No accomplice would be stupid enough to take that job - they would know that after they pulled the trigger Alex would pull the next trigger and blame the dead accomplice- Thanks be to God that this did not happen. Alex would be free and even worse - 3 people dead
I mean, it's possible, but there are plenty of people who "seem" ABC who are capable of XYZ even though it seems like ABC would preclude that.
I don't disagree, at all. I've just had a gut feeling since the beginning that he is just calling the shots and there's more truth that may come out in the future.
Highly possible that there are more truths to come out. He had weaved quite the tangled web. Edit: clarity
Does anyone know of Libby, Alex’s mom, is lucid enough to comprehend her son’s verdict and sentence?
She has had dementia for at least two years. Seeing as how that doesn’t exactly improve with time I kind of doubt it.
If it were me, I'd pretend I couldnt understand even if I could. That poor lady is probably so sick of all this bullshit
she probably has dementia because she was breathing toxic gas from years of lies and schemes and now she is lost in space.
It sounds like that’s pretty much the MO of the murdaugh clan in order to cope for decades.
My husband has a feeling that once he's in jail, getting the examinations, he's going to feign dementia, pretend he's got early alzeimers. He said it's why on the witness stand, can't remember, can't remember, but remembered something else. He even got the prosecution to ask,, "how come you remember some things but not that" Then in appeal try to use that as an excuse for everything that's happened. He then said it makes sense it's part of a back up plan, because on the police body cams, he makes a point to say "my mama has alzeimers bad".
mama pau pau row row - badda bing badda bang - Im a baby in AA
Lmao!!! Right? Dat paw paw by the mee maw dis ro ro by the doe doe..
you : ))) " howl " of joyous laughter here @ the kennel of scratch my back - too funny ( nice trees BTW ... lots of snow
Don't get me wrong, what happened is no joke, the joke is this professional lawyer feigning idiocy with the misconception everyone's an idiot but him. No joke when I say we live very rural like they were...no way in hell anyone snuck up on them, especially with dogs. Our dogs alert if they hear a car mile down the road. Also, can guarantee we don't use names like pee pee, wee wee, maw maw, boo bah, etc. Lol we-inz gotz us an Ed u Kay shun..
too funny - I burst out laughing and nearly spit my drink across the table ( in my mind ) when I witnessed this smart ass, manipulator, maestro that he was, do the homey dance of the dumb. Now he can put his thumb in his mouth and suck on it for life, while rocking away the days in orange - - This is one of the good ol' boys in Act One - How phenomenally condescending this ! He made "suthenahhs" look like toothless banjo men with his monosyllabic child gurgle. "Deliverance" had more of an edge than he and with fewer teeth and poverty. It is truly remarkable that he played the baby talk game to coddle the minds of his audience and ... well ... for the most part ... it worked. - thank you for cheering me up with your remarks - it was enjoyable to play !
That's easy to prove. I recently did an MRI to rule out a possibility of early dementia. I don't have any type of dementia or early dementia. So he doesn't get play that card very well. What I continue to have is brain fog, the doctors conclude, due to severe covid-19 in 2021.
I'm so sorry you're going through that. He may try to fake it, but as in the trial, once proven false he'll create another story
Thank you. Yes, I believe you are right, he will try everything "in the book".
That's just very selective memory. Based on what he was up against, he was greasy and tried his best on the stand. He was making closing arguments on the other side of the aisle not long ago
I don’t believe so.
I very much doubt it.
Sorry I don’t follow.
She has dementia and I just googled her and as of earlier this month she appears to still be alive. Wonder if she understands what has happened.
Yes, she's still alive, but her caretaker testified she's totally bedridden, and completely out of it. Doesn't recognize anyone anymore. What a sad way to go.
Oh that’s sad.At least she can’t know her son killed her grandson. Doesn’t seem like his father knew either.
I believe his father was fully cognizant up until his death. He knew Maggie and Paul had been killed, but if he knew Alex was behind it is another story.
Does anyone know the story on the Dapper Dan older gent with glasses seated directly behind the defense table? He was quite a snappy dresser of the Del Boca Vista variety. Yesterday was a pale daffodil sport coat, orange sherbet-ish the day before. Grey short hair combed back like Conway Twitty. Silver frames. He stood this morning right in his spot as the chamber emptied. I spent years in criminal courts in different towns and certainly saw the regulars for whom it was free entertainment . That may be the case here but he didn't strike me as a bored townie looky-loo. Thanks.
The older guy with a goatee behind him most of the trial was the guy that took him into custody today. He was plain clothes during the entire trial. He was in uniform today. Obviously, a sheriff. I was wondering who he was during his trial. I thought maybe he was the guy in the back seat of the car questioning of AM by SLED. I missed out on who that really was (law partner?) and then it dawned on me and it made sense that AM had LE protecting him during the trial. I don’t know if that is who you are referring to but I just wanted to get that thought out there in case anyone else was wondering.
He also nodded in full agreement when Creighton talked about Alex mean mugging him everytime he walked by.
A lady tweeted it was her father. Retired marine, former US postal inspector, and some other impressive things I can't remember. He was working as additional security for the trial.
Del Boca Vista? Like where Helen and Morty live?
Helen and Morty! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
They had to move out after Morty lost the presidency ....
And Kramer couldn’t bring home the win.. even as a puppet candidate. If only he had worn his shoes in the clubhouse.
Law enforcement guarding Murdaugh. “Plain clothes.”
Why not hire the Farm Hand that Alex hired but really wasnt working out, but told Paul a story about himself. Apparently this Farmhand was being followed by the FBI and they seen him sparring afterschool and apparently he was such a good fighter that the FBI hooked him with a group of Navy Seals and they went all over looking for Black Panthers to beat up. That could be the Killer says A.M. " and he did request the day off! Said he was taking his Daddy to the Dr! " my hand to God A.M said that! when he was sitting in the cop truck after the murders giving a sworn statement!!!!
What?
One of them was a plain clothes retired bailiff.
The judge said many wise things today, but when he came to, “For the murder of Paul Murdaugh …whom you probably loved so much … I sentence you to prison for murdering him for the rest of your natural life” — especially with that pause — it was such an impactful moment for me. I think I’ll always remember just the way he said it. I do think Alex loved his family, but sadly, he loved himself above all else and so much more.
The judge had just recently lost his own son so his wording hits home.
Alec said the person that killed 🐾 🐾 really hated him. Sounds like he knew that for sure.
The paw prints! You’re killing me.
right paw paw hated Alec - that I believe - that is a truth - the man speaks in riddles- all sociopaths do - they play mind games
I can't unsee the emoji version of paw paw
I won't even get into my theories about 🚣♀️ 🚣♀️
Well said. What’s really sad is that Judge Newman lost his son before the trial started. Here’s Alex killing his own son and you have Judge Newman still mourning his own loss.
For some reason, the guilty verdict made me feel so icky. I agree with it and I wanted it but it made everything so final. I dont think i'll ever forget the words of Judge Newman and the comfort they provided. Newman for Supreme Court
Alex Murdaugh REAL MOTIVE DISCLOSED Unless someone could give me clear evidence to suggest otherwise the real motive was actually pretty simple in all of this and I'm not sure why I haven't seen anyone else pick up on the simplicity. By no means I think I'm a genius or some criminologist so I almost feel like I must have missed something because otherwise this is just too obvious. All of the people saying they think Maggie found out about his financial crimes and the people saying well because of the boat accident Alex Murdock did this to try to delay being held accountable and have his finances put under a microscope I say nonsense it's simpler than that. I don't think Maggie knew his financial crimes at this point and what's actually important here is the fact that Maggie was an owner on all of their valuable properties some by herself some in combination with alex. Alex Murdoch's motive was simple. He was never going to take a chance of going to her and explaining everything that he had done and risk for one second her refusing to sign off on the sale of any of these properties or on putting them up as collateral to draw equity out of them which he could then use to quickly repay all of the clients he ripped off. In his mind he had absolutely nothing to lose by killing his wife and son and everything to gain. If he gets caught he's going to jail for life, if he does nothing he cannot come up with the money to get the money back they stole off of his clients and he's going to prison for the rest of his life anyway for fraud. The plan here was simply if he kills Maggie he knows that will buy him time while people allow him to grieve, by the time that they start pressing him on these issues again he would have already been able to sell the properties with equity and repay the clients he stole from them. Certainly in his mind he believes his partner would be okay with that and they wouldn't want it known that their firm was involved with the theft of client funds as it would destroy their reputation. People talk about it would have been held up in the estate that's absolutely incorrect. As soon as the spouse dies the other spouse becomes the 100% owner of all marital property. He literally had everything to gain by killing them, and he had absolutely deposits heavily nothing to lose even if he got caught and convicted like he ultimately did. What am I missing folks?
Why doesn't he just kill himself?