The disgraced attorney claimed he arrived home after 9:30 p.m. and found his wife and son dead. The motion also alleges that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Divisions HemaTrace testing results confirmed the stains are not human blood.. Murdaugh had admitted to touching the bodies when he found them. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff, Alex Murdaugh listens as his defense attorney Dick Harpootlian speaks during his motion hearing at the Colleton County Courthouse on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 in Walterboro. Murdaugh is set to stand trial for the murders in January of 2023. Follow him on Twitter at @AveryGWilks. Murdaughs attorney, Jim Griffin, has repeatedly said that his clients whereabouts are accounted for completely.. Owen had testified to the grand jury that the shirt tested positive for blood spatter. The report states Maggie Murdaugh appeared to have been shot with a rifle. The defense has challenged Bevels credentials and methodology in numerous pre-trial motions, noting that in January 2022 he issued a report that said the stains on the shirt were consistent with transfers and not back spatters from a bullet wound.. Im allowed to use trickery to elicit a response, Owen said. In the interview with Murdaugh, Owen told him that several shotguns were found on the property loaded with a turkey load and a buckshot shell like the one used to kill Paul Murdaugh. Alex Murdaugh indicted for murders of wife and son | CNN [Featured image: Maggie and Paul Murdaugh/Facebook], Missing 14-Year-Old Girl Found at Marine Barracks 18 Days After She Disappeared, 9 Shot as Gunman Opens Fire in Cleveland Entertainment District, Nancy Grace: Manson Follower Should Absolutely Not Be Released, Sources familiar with the investigation told FITSNews, he told WHNS in an exclusive interview last October. Every cutting tested negative for human blood, the motion alleges. Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff, Alex Murdaughs attorney Jim Griffin speaks during his motion hearing at the Colleton County Courthouse on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 in Walterboro. To the question of the blood evidence on Murdaughs shirt, Kinsey wrote: The front of the white t-shirt contains what appears to be transfer and spatter stains. Attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin have alleged that investigators for the state pressured their outside expert into changing his analysis. subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. 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FITS News Alleges Physical Evidence Tying Alex Murdaugh to the Double Murdaughs attorneys have argued that the blood ended up on Murdaughs shirt as he checked his wife and son for signs of life. A shirt worn by disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh on the night he says he discovered his wife and son shot to death had on it a significant amount of high-velocity blood splatter from at least one of their bodies. Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian said he was looking forward to cross-examining Smith. Alex Murdaugh enters the courtroom during his motion hearing at the Colleton County Courthouse on Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 in Walterboro. During cross examination, Griffin worked to discredit SLEDs investigation. What to know, Alex Murdaughs former SC law firm sues him, alleges he stole funds for years. SC judge sends Murdaughs alleged accomplice Curtis Smith to jail for breaking bond, Lawyer wants Mallory Beach attorney removed, subpoenas phone records with SC reporters, Ex-SC banker, Murdaugh accomplice Russell Laffitte given $500K bond in federal fraud case, SC judge denies issuing gag order in Alex Murdaughs murder trial of wife and son, Hampton SC tangles with tattered reputation and broken trust after Murdaugh murder indictment, Alex Murdaugh pleads not guilty as judge mulls gag order, speedy trial in murder case, Alex Murdaugh to face charges in June 2021 shooting deaths of wife and son, Curtis Smith charged with helping Murdaugh in $2.4M money laundering scheme, From an SC jail, Alex Murdaugh tried to get his son back into USCs law school, Rotting away. Recorded phone calls depict Alex Murdaughs life in Richland County jail, Youve done some illegal stuff, Alex Murdaughs son tells dad in jail phone recording, Murdaughs financial victims indicate lawsuit coming against former Hampton bank CEO, Alex Murdaugh may be in trouble with court after giving up wifes estate. Murdaugh lawyers push to exclude "fabricated" blood spatter evidence Bevel asked to review the actual shirt as opposed to photos, so agents brought the evidence to him in March for a second examination. Alex Murdaugh calls out SLED's blood spatter T-shirt 'lie' The motion went into a timeline with the defense alleging Bevel and SLED decided to fabricate evidence against Murdaugh. Due to the what the defense deemed the unreliable nature of the evidence and the unwillingness to provide court-ordered information, Murdaugh's team argued the blood spatter evidence and. SC lawyers in Alex Murdaugh trial fight over evidence in court | The State Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff. The motion claimed that the destruction of the shirt was either bad faith or gross negligence. The 54-year-old fallen-from-grace legal scion stands accused of shooting and killing his wife, Margaret Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and youngest son Paul Murdaugh, 22, near the dog kennels on the familys storied 1,770-acre hunting lodge during the midsummer of 2021. However, the report noted that for there to be little to no back spatter on the shooter or theyre [SIC] clothing is certainly possible for this incident.. Low around 75F. Were gravely concerned about what happened between the SLED agents and their so-called expert on that trip, Harpootlian said. The motion for discovery asks that prosecutors be ordered to produce all communications to or from Tom Bevel, the states blood pattern analysis expert. Defense expert says height unrealistic to have killed Maggie, Day 21: Murdaughs defense revives two-shooter theory as forensic expert takes the stand, Murdaughs defense begins effort to undermine case for Lowcountry attorneys guilt, Car data mapped Alex Murdaughs movements the night of the murders. The former Hampton attorney stands accused of killing his wife and son at the family's hunting estate on June 7, 2021. To the extent Deputy Kinseys opinions regarding high velocity impact spatter are derived from Mr. Bevels Photoshop enhancements of photographs of the T-shirt, his opinion testimony regarding high impact spatter must be excluded, the motion concludes, citing precedent and constitutional civil liberties issues. Murdaugh, 54, was indicted in July for the murders of his wife, Maggie, 52, and son, Paul, 22, after a 13-month investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division and prosecutors into their. WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCSC) - Despite an earlier ruling otherwise, jurors in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial will be allowed to hear testimony about Murdaughs alleged insurance fraud scheme. SC judge grants Alex Murdaugh's attorney request for blood spatter evidence December 09, 2022 3:45 PM 'Perfect storm' of debts and looming exposure drove Murdaugh to kill, SC prosecutors say Last weeks defense motion contains Bevels preliminary report, which notes the presence of tissue, blood volume and body fluids and says the location of the remains and fired shotgun shells would place the shooter standing in or slightly outside the rooms door approximately midline of the feed room for the first shot and outside the door to the west side of entry for the second, immediately terminal shot. Murdaugh's lawyers argue that initial analysis of the shirt conducted by a blood spatter expert found no evidence of blood spatter. The test is highly sensitive, able to detect as little as four micrograms of blood in a sample. All of the shirt samples submitted tested negative for human blood. Two of those shots, one to the left torso and one to the back of the head, were considered fatal shots. Alex Murdaugh will likely be charged in suicide attempt, attorney says. I dont see any other mechanism to get so many misting stains onto (Murdaughs) shirt other than the spatter created from the shotgun wounding (of Paul Murdaugh), the motion quoted Bevel as writing to investigators after the visit. Defense, witness dispute what Alex said, Day 7: Witness says someone held Maggie Murdaughs cellphone around time of death, Murdaughs defense floats 2 shooter theory, as prosecutors take aim at alibi, Guns seized at crime scene shown to Murdaugh murder trial jury, Bloody footprint at Murdaugh murder scene was not from either victim, witness says, Day 6: Prosecution shares key interviews with Alex Murdaugh conducted days after the murders, 5 key takeaways from Alex Murdaugh trial: Gunshot residue, clean clothes raise questions, First week of Murdaughs trial a showcase of shocking violence, evidence and emotion, SC defense attorney questions why so many on Murdaugh jury say they never heard of the case, Pools of blood: Jurors watch drone video of crime scene at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Murdaughs behavior changed during investigation, SLED statement scrutinized, Attorney Dick Harpootlian wants to take Murdaugh jury to Moselle crime scene, Loving father, or murderous storm? Evidence shown in Alex Murdaugh's trial for murder at the Colleton County Courthouse on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. SC prosecutors rethinking Murdaugh blood spatter evidence after defense pokes holes, By Avery G. Wilks The smaller stains that are present after treatment with [Leuco Crystal Violet] appear to be high velocity impact stains. Have a look, Mallory Beach family settles lawsuit with Buster Murdaugh in fatal boat crash, Alex Murdaugh accomplice Curtis Smith subpoenaed to testify at upcoming murder trial, Murdaugh-linked ex-banker Laffitte hires new SC lawyers to fight fraud conviction, SC prosecutors will seek life sentence, not death penalty, for Alex Murdaugh in murder trial, Murdaugh prosecutors should be barred from using financial motive, defense attorneys say, Alex Murdaugh indicted on tax evasion charges ahead of SC murder trial, Murdaughs alleged motive, blood spatter emerge as key disputed issues in upcoming SC trial, Portrait of Alex Murdaughs grandfather will be removed for murder trial, SC judge says, Alex Murdaugh can be unshackled in court during murder trial, SC judge says, Perfect storm of debts and looming exposure drove Murdaugh to kill, SC prosecutors say, Alex Murdaughs lawyers want SC judge to order prosecutors to reveal motive for murders, Brief hearing sets stage for new round of motions as Murdaugh trial approaches, Dont make Murdaugh wear shackles in court, defense asks in new motion, Murdaughs attorneys demand answers about why blood pattern expert changed his mind, SC jurors decided Laffitte verdict after nearly 11 hours of deliberation. You have permission to edit this article. Recognizing Mr. Bevels testimony may be excluded for the litany of reasons set forth in [Murdaughs] motion for sanctions and his motion in limine regarding Mr. Bevels testimony, the state is attempting to back door in Mr. Bevels blood spatter testimony through Deputy Kinsey.. Murdaugh Murders: New evidence against Alex Murdaugh in double homicide Murdaugh Murders : Evidence Links Alex Murdaugh To Double Homicide Copyright 2023 WCSC. Alex Murdaugh, on the right, calls out the state for their failed and controversial blood spatter T-shirt evidence in Colleton County, S.C., on Feb. 23, 2023. Owen can be heard in the interview asking when Murdaugh changed clothes that night. Griffin pointed to missteps made during the initial investigation into the brutal murders of Maggie Murdaugh, and Paul Murdaugh, at Moselle on the night of June 7, 2021. The man was taken to the hospital after being shot in the upper body, a news release said. The motion, filed Monday in Colleton County, comes less than a week after Murdaughs lawyers unleashed a broadside attack on the states evidence that Murdaughs T-shirt was allegedly covered in a mist of blood consistent with bullet wounds. The Aug. 11 interview is the first time Murdaugh sees the Snapchat video recovered from Paul Murdaughs phone when he is seen in a button-up shirt and khaki pants shaking a tree. The disgraced South Carolina legal scion told investigators hed been at his parents home and returned to his home to find his wife and son shot to death. Murdaugh defense attorney Jim Griffin said that theory makes no sense and Waters just wants to use the alleged financial crimes to show the jury Murdaugh is a bad guy at an unrelated murder trial. The defense also claims the state had to lie to him about what state-ordered testing of the shirt showed. Murdaugh defense opened door to jury hearing about alleged financial crimes, SC judge says, Day 9: Witness says dozens of calls missing from Murdaughs phone on day of murders, Cellphone video played in court could put Alex Murdaugh at scene of 2 murders, Phone calls to Maggie the night of the murder deleted from Murdaughs phone, witness says, Did Alex Murdaugh confess to killing his wife and son? Bevels March 29, 2022 report found that some of the stains on the white t-shirt are consistent with transfers and 100+ stains are consistent with spatter. However, state prosecutors admitted that despite having the physical shirt, Bevel was unable to gather any information from it because it had been destroyed by various tests conducted by SLED. They alleged investigators failed to tell Bevel that Murdaughs shirt actually tested negative for human blood and tested negative for Pauls DNA in areas where Bevel identified blood spatter even though Paul was shot at point-blank range with a shotgun. Without an opinion on whether the stains are blood stains or whether the stains are consistent with back spatter from a gunshot, any expert opinion testimony he would offer regarding the stains would not assist the trier of fact; and therefore, such expert opinion should be excluded because it will unfairly confuse and mislead the jury, the motion states. Prosecutors say Murdaughs motive lurks in a history of theft. Prosecutors allege that Murdaugh murdered his wife, Maggie, and his son, Paul, in June 2021 in a deliberate attempt to turn the spotlight away from a years-long scheme to swindle millions from. We have no communications between them.. WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCSC) - Attorneys representing former Lowcountry attorney Alex Murdaugh filed a motion Monday morning before the scheduled start of Murdaugh's murder trial seeking to exclude blood spatter evidence in the trial. Heres what she found on them, His body is a crime scene: Exhumation plans proceeding in Stephen Smiths 2015 killing, PETA wanted Murdaugh hunting trophies, turtle-shell lamps donated instead of sold, SLED investigating Stephen Smiths death as a murder, says teen did not die by hit-and-run, Family of Stephen Smith launches new investigation of SC mans death after Murdaugh trial, This has gone on far too long. Buster Murdaugh speaks out on Stephen Smiths death, Family annihilator descriptor fit Alex Murdaugh to a T, says SC prosecutor Creighton Waters, Alex Murdaugh formally says he will appeal double-murder convictions, Unsettling and frightening: Buster Murdaugh asks to be left out of future police reports, Buster Murdaugh complains to police about being followed, photographed on Hilton Head, Judge upholds ex-SC banker, Murdaugh accomplice Russell Laffittes fraud conviction, Alex Murdaughs attorneys say theyll appeal double-murder conviction, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison after found guilty of murdering wife, son in 2021, What were the deciding factors in the Murdaugh guilty verdict? The defense argues that any blood present is only on the bottom third and was transferred there when Murdaugh touched the bodies of his wife and son after he found them and frantically checked them for signs of life, according to a defense motion filed last November. He looks at something and gives it sort of a Rorschach test.. "SLED leaks the blood splatter 'evidence'" to the website . Attorneys for accused double murderer Alex Murdaugh have asked a state judge to prohibit testimony at trial about "blood spatter patterns" on Murdaugh's T-shirt and want to. Graphic and Scientific Images Hint to Alex Murdaugh Defense But Murdaughs attorneys on Nov. 23 filed a 96-page motion picking apart Bevels analysis, alleging state investigators manipulated the former cop into producing a bogus report. Read moreAlex Murdaugh indicted on 22 federal charges; friend Cory Fleming to plead guilty, The Post and Courier Murdaughs lawyers unleashed a broadside attack, Murdaugh has pleaded not guilty to the charges, Sins of the father: The pain and privilege of being Buster Murdaugh, SC killer Alex Murdaugh may plead guilty to federal financial crimes, his lawyer says, 20-year-old SC man dies in hospital emergency room after shooting, coroner says, Heres how hot and rainy SC will be the rest of summer, NWS and Farmers Almanac predicts, Workers at this SC Waffle House are on strike.
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