Kristin Moore — Direct/Cross/Redirect
222 linesJUDGE NEWMAN: You may call your next witness.
MS. GOUDE: The State calls Kristin Moore.
The witness, KRISTIN MOORE, was first duly sworn and testified as follows:
COURT CLERK: Take a seat in the witness stand. State your name again for the record. Spell your last name.
KRISTIN MOORE: Kristin Moore, M-o-o-r-e.
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MS. GOUDE:
MS. GOUDE: Good afternoon.
KRISTIN MOORE: Good afternoon.
MS. GOUDE: Could you tell the jurors where you work?
KRISTIN MOORE: I work for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
MS. GOUDE: And, Agent Moore, you might need to pull that microphone a little and speak up so we can hear you, make sure we hear you out here. Thank you. And what do you do with SLED?
KRISTIN MOORE: I'm a Special Agent assigned to the Crime Scene Unit.
MS. GOUDE: And did you have an occasion to become involved in the investigation of the murders of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, I did.
MS. GOUDE: Were you involved in an execution of a search warrant?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am.
MS. GOUDE: And where was that search warrant executed?
KRISTIN MOORE: At 2175 Yemassee Highway in Varnville, South Carolina.
MS. GOUDE: And do you know what that residence was or is?
KRISTIN MOORE: It was the residence of Alexander Murdaugh's mother.
MS. GOUDE: And who was there when you executed the search warrant?
KRISTIN MOORE: Several SLED agents were on scene, as well as family members.
MS. GOUDE: What were you looking for when you searched the residence?
KRISTIN MOORE: We were advised that we were looking for a blue in color tarp-like material.
MS. GOUDE: And what areas of the residence did you search?
KRISTIN MOORE: We searched the entire interior of the residence.
MS. GOUDE: Let's talk about the north bedroom of that residence. Do you recall what you located in that bedroom?
KRISTIN MOORE: We located a blue tarp inside the closet in the north bedroom on the second floor.
(Break in proceedings.)
MS. GOUDE: Agent Moore, I'm going to show you what has been marked as State's Exhibit 224. Do you recognize what's in that picture?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, I do.
MS. GOUDE: Is that a fair and accurate representation of what you found in the north bedroom closet?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes it is.
MS. GOUDE: Your Honor, at this time the State would move State's 224 into evidence.
MR. GRIFFIN: No objection.
JUDGE NEWMAN: It's admitted.
MS. GOUDE: Permission to publish.
JUDGE NEWMAN: Yes.
(PHOTO MARKED AS STATE'S EXHIBIT NUMBER 224 WAS RECEIVED INTO EVIDENCE.)
MS. GOUDE: Agent Moore, could you describe for the jurors what you found in that picture?
KRISTIN MOORE: That is the blue tarp that we located inside the bedroom in the -- inside the closet inside the bedroom.
MS. GOUDE: What was that tarp located in?
KRISTIN MOORE: A storage container.
MS. GOUDE: Were there any items in the storage container?
KRISTIN MOORE: There were miscellaneous dishes underneath the tarp.
MS. GOUDE: After you found the tarp, did you continue searching the residence?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, we did.
MS. GOUDE: And what else did you find?
KRISTIN MOORE: We located a blue raincoat in the coat closet on the second floor.
MS. GOUDE: I'm going to show you what's previously been entered as State's Exhibit 223. Do you recognize that photo?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, I do.
MS. GOUDE: Okay. Let me put that on the screen so the jury can see. Could you point out that closet for us?
KRISTIN MOORE: It's at the top of the photo on the right-hand side. So, the door immediately above the stairs leads to an attic area, and the door to the right of it is the coat closet.
MS. GOUDE: So, not this door right here at the very top of the stairs. The next door is the closet we're talking about.
KRISTIN MOORE: That's correct.
MS. GOUDE: Okay, and I'm going to show you State's 414. Do you recognize that picture?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, I do.
MS. GOUDE: Okay, and what are we looking at here?
KRISTIN MOORE: That is a picture of the interior of the coat closet.
MS. GOUDE: Your Honor, at this time I move State's 414 into evidence.
MR. GRIFFIN: No objection.
JUDGE NEWMAN: It's admitted.
(PHOTO MARKED AS STATE'S EXHIBIT NUMBER 414 WAS RECEIVED INTO EVIDENCE.)
MS. GOUDE: Now, Agent Moore, if you could, could you point out the blue raincoat or tarp-like material that you found in this picture?
KRISTIN MOORE: It's in the back of that photo behind the white box towards the bottom.
MS. GOUDE: And if you don't mind, would you mind stepping down and pointing that out to the jurors?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes.
MS. GOUDE: Would you come down to the big TV?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes.
MS. GOUDE: So, that's how you found the raincoat.
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, it is.
MS. GOUDE: Jammed down in that closet.
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am.
MS. GOUDE: And if you look at this picture, it appears there are other items of clothing that are hanging up?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, there was.
MS. GOUDE: But the raincoat is balled up down there.
KRISTIN MOORE: That is correct.
MS. GOUDE: And what did you do when you located that raincoat?
KRISTIN MOORE: We documented it with photographs, and then we collected it in a brown paper bag, which was dated, sealed, and initialed.
MS. GOUDE: I'm going to show you State's 225, which I believe the defense has an objection to.
MR. GRIFFIN: Your Honor, if this is the raincoat, it's already in evidence. The photo of the raincoat is in evidence. I don't know why we need another photo, but we do object to any testimony about the seizing the blue raincoat and anything beyond that based upon my earlier statements to the Court.
JUDGE NEWMAN: And a response?
MS. GOUDE: Your Honor, this agent is testifying to what she retrieved from the closet, and I believe this is a picture of her retrieving that item.
JUDGE NEWMAN: The objection is overruled.
MS. GOUDE: So, Agent Moore, do you recognize what's in this picture?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, I do.
MS. GOUDE: And this is a true and accurate depiction of what you recovered from that closet?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, it is.
MS. GOUDE: Your Honor, at this time I would move State's 225 into evidence.
JUDGE NEWMAN: Objection?
MR. GRIFFIN: Same objection.
JUDGE NEWMAN: It's admitted over objection.
(PHOTO MARKED AS STATE'S EXHIBIT NUMBER 225 WAS RECEIVED INTO EVIDENCE.)
MS. GOUDE: All right, and, Agent Moore, if you could, tell us what's in this picture, State's Exhibit 225.
KRISTIN MOORE: That is a photo of the blue raincoat that I collected.
MS. GOUDE: And this will be State's Exhibit 226. Without opening this, can you tell us what's in this item, State's Exhibit 226?
KRISTIN MOORE: Based off of the item number, lab number, and my initials, this would be the blue raincoat.
MS. GOUDE: Your Honor, the State would move State's 226 into evidence.
MR. GRIFFIN: Objection. Relevance.
JUDGE NEWMAN: Any response?
MS. GOUDE: Your Honor, this is the purported raincoat that was recovered from the closet.
JUDGE NEWMAN: It's admitted.
(RAINCOAT MARKED AS STATE'S EXHIBIT NUMBER 226 WAS RECEIVED INTO EVIDENCE.)
MS. GOUDE: All right, and when you recovered that raincoat, what did you -- did you do anything with it besides photograph and collect it?
KRISTIN MOORE: Not on that date. We transported it back to the SLED forensics services laboratory.
MS. GOUDE: And now in the closet where you found that raincoat, were there any guns?
KRISTIN MOORE: No, ma'am.
MS. GOUDE: Okay. Were you involved in any of the processing of the raincoat?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, I was.
MS. GOUDE: And what part were you involved in?
KRISTIN MOORE: On October 7, 2021, I went to Forensic Services Laboratory. I met with SLED serology personnel to document and do additional processing on the raincoat.
MS. GOUDE: And what processing did you take part in?
KRISTIN MOORE: It was documented with photographs. The stains on the raincoat were then documented with scale tape and labeled, photographed again. SLED Serology Department then tested the stains with phenolphthalein, which is a presumptive test for the presentence of suspected blood; all testing with phenolphthalein was negative. We then used an alternate light source to look for any latent stains on the raincoat. We observed an additional stain and documented it with photographs as well as scaled it. Then it was tested with phenolphthalein as well, and it was negative. We then used Leucocrystal Violet, LCV, which is also presumptive test for the presence of suspected blood, and it was negative also.
MS. GOUDE: All right. As far as your involvement in the raincoat, does that pretty much sum it up for us?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, it does.
MS. GOUDE: All right.
MS. GOUDE: Thank you, Agent Moore. Please answer any questions from the defense.
CROSS-EXAMINATION
BY MR. GRIFFIN:
MR. GRIFFIN: Good afternoon, Agent Moore.
KRISTIN MOORE: Good afternoon.
MR. GRIFFIN: The -- so I understand it, you went to Almeda, Ms. Libby Murdaugh's home, to execute a search warrant. Is that correct?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, sir, it is.
MR. GRIFFIN: And what was the day, September --
KRISTIN MOORE: September 16, 2021.
MR. GRIFFIN: September 16, 2021, and you were looking for a blue tarp.
KRISTIN MOORE: We were advised that we were searching for a blue tarp-like material.
MR. GRIFFIN: Okay, and you found a blue tarp. Is that right?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, sir.
MR. GRIFFIN: And in that blue tarp, there were dishes wrapped up in that blue tarp, right?
KRISTIN MOORE: No, sir, no dishes were wrapped in the blue tarp. It was folded on top of the dishes.
MR. GRIFFIN: Okay. So, you seized the blue tarp, right?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, sir.
MR. GRIFFIN: And did you do any testing of the blue tarp to see if there was blood?
KRISTIN MOORE: No, sir. I did not do any testing on the blue tarp.
MR. GRIFFIN: Do you know anyone who did any testing on the blue tarp?
KRISTIN MOORE: I'm unaware of any testing done on the blue tarp.
MR. GRIFFIN: You seized this rain jacket in here in this box. Is that correct?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, sir, it is.
MR. GRIFFIN: And back at the lab, you did some presumptive testing where you sprayed it with Phenol first?
KRISTIN MOORE: Phenolphthalein was first utilized, yes, sir.
MR. GRIFFIN: And Phenolphthalein is a presumptive test for blood, meaning, you know, it can test positive but it not necessarily means it's blood, right?
KRISTIN MOORE: That is correct.
MR. GRIFFIN: And in order to determine whether something that has tested positive with Phenolphthalein, you do another type test to confirm human blood, right?
KRISTIN MOORE: That is correct.
MR. GRIFFIN: But the blue rain jacket never tested positive for the presumptive test using Phenolphthalein, right?
KRISTIN MOORE: That is correct.
MR. GRIFFIN: So, it was negative.
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, sir.
MR. GRIFFIN: So, after getting negative with Phenol, then you use another product called LCV. Is that correct?
KRISTIN MOORE: We did. We used an alternate light source first to make sure that we had all stains documented.
MR. GRIFFIN: Now, alternate light source is what?
KRISTIN MOORE: It is a specific waive length of a flashlight, and you use a color filter and then you can see any latent things that you wouldn't be able to see with your naked eye.
MR. GRIFFIN: And the alternative light source doesn't tell you whether that's possibly blood or something else, does it?
KRISTIN MOORE: No, sir, it does not.
MR. GRIFFIN: So, you use that alternative light source and you identified some area, and is that the area you tested with LCV?
KRISTIN MOORE: We tested the entire raincoat with LCV.
MR. GRIFFIN: The entire raincoat. Okay.
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, sir.
MR. GRIFFIN: And again, that's presumptive test like Phenolphthalein.
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, sir.
MR. GRIFFIN: And that tested negative.
KRISTIN MOORE: That is correct.
MR. GRIFFIN: Okay, and -- so, there's no more blood testing done of the rain jacket, right?
KRISTIN MOORE: I was not involved in any further processing of the raincoat.
MR. GRIFFIN: Do you know if that LCV that you sprayed on that entire shirt has turned the rain jacket in that box completely violet?
KRISTIN MOORE: I have not seen the raincoat since the processing was done on October 7th of 2021.
MR. GRIFFIN: Okay. What size is this rain jacket?
KRISTIN MOORE: I could not tell you the exact size of the raincoat.
MR. GRIFFIN: Well, would you agree with me that the records indicate it's a large?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, sir, it's a larger jacket.
MR. GRIFFIN: Well, the size being large. Do you know if it's a large? That's the size?
KRISTIN MOORE: I do not recall the size.
MR. GRIFFIN: Do you mind if she opens it up? Your Honor, do you mind if the witness opens the box up and let's see what size the rain jacket is?
JUDGE NEWMAN: Any objection?
MS. GOUDE: No objection, Your Honor.
JUDGE NEWMAN: Okay. You may.
(Break in proceedings.)
MR. GRIFFIN: All right. Can you tell us what size it is, please?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, sir. I don't see a -- I don't see a tag right here in the front.
(Break in proceedings.)
MR. GRIFFIN: Okay.
KRISTIN MOORE: You may want to put gloves on. It has chemicals on it.
MR. GRIFFIN: I don't want to touch it then. Okay. Do you mind standing up in front of the jury and show them how large it is?
KRISTIN MOORE: (Witness complies.)
MR. GRIFFIN: Thank you. Is it a poncho style rain jacket?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, sir, it appears that way.
MR. GRIFFIN: All right. Thank you. Do you know if that rain jacket, or photos of that rain jacket were shown to any member of the Murdaugh family to see if they recognized it?
KRISTIN MOORE: I am unsure.
MR. GRIFFIN: Okay. You did not then, did you?
KRISTIN MOORE: No, sir, I did not.
MR. GRIFFIN: Did you show that photo or a picture, excuse me, the photograph, the rain jacket -- let me scratch that. Did you show Ms. Shelley Smith the rain jacket or a photo of the rain jacket?
KRISTIN MOORE: No, sir, I did not.
MR. GRIFFIN: Do you know of any SLED agent who did?
KRISTIN MOORE: I do not.
MR. GRIFFIN: One second, Your Honor.
(Break in proceedings.)
MR. GRIFFIN: That's all the questions I have, Your Honor.
JUDGE NEWMAN: Any further questions?
MS. GOUDE: Briefly, Your Honor.
REDIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MS. GOUDE:
MS. GOUDE: All right, Agent Moore, what happened to that tarp or rain coat? Where is it? Is it back in this box?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am.
MS. GOUDE: Okay. All right. State's Exhibit 226, this is the raincoat you collected from that closet at Almeda?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, it is.
MS. GOUDE: Now when you collected it, did it have, like, this tape here on the raincoat where we can -- you know, the white tape with the letters on there?
KRISTIN MOORE: No, ma'am, I placed that on there.
MS. GOUDE: So, that was done during processing?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am, it was.
MS. GOUDE: And we've been talking about a raincoat, but this isn't -- is this what you would normally think a raincoat would look like?
KRISTIN MOORE: No, ma'am.
MS. GOUDE: This is rather large for a raincoat?
KRISTIN MOORE: Yes, ma'am.
MS. GOUDE: Okay. When you found it, it was balled up like this?
KRISTIN MOORE: That is correct.
MS. GOUDE: No further questions of this witness, Your Honor.
JUDGE NEWMAN: Anything further?
MR. GRIFFIN: Nothing, Your Honor.
JUDGE NEWMAN: Thank you. You may step down.
(The witness exited the stand.)