Clifton Newman

20232023 Murder TrialJan 23, 2023 – Mar 3, 2023

Clifton Newman presided from jury selection through sentencing, managing evidentiary rulings, juror replacements, trial instructions, and the verdict proceedings. He admitted financial-crimes evidence for a limited purpose, received the jury's guilty verdicts, and imposed two consecutive natural-life sentences.

Jury Selection Day 1

Jan 23, 2023

ProceduralOpening Court Proceedings6lines spoken

Summary

The court swore the first jury panel, administered a two-page questionnaire, and began the qualification roll call.

jury selectionJury Voir Dire - Panel One197lines spoken

Summary

The court screened Panel One for publicity exposure, fixed opinions, and personal connections, excusing several jurors and conducting individual follow-up before qualifying the remainder.

jury selectionJury Voir Dire - Panel Two236lines spoken

Summary

Panel Two underwent publicity, impartiality, relationship, and hardship screening, followed by individual questioning that produced several excusals and qualification decisions.

jury selectionJury Voir Dire - Panel Three179lines spoken

Summary

Panel Three disclosed extensive publicity exposure, community and witness ties, hardships, and qualification issues; the court excused several prospective jurors and returned Juror 705 to the pool after individual questioning.

Jury Selection Day 2

Jan 24, 2023

ProceduralOpening Court Proceedings5lines spoken

Summary

Judge Newman opened qualification of Jury Panel Four, explained the accusations, plea, presumption of innocence, and burden of proof, and had the panel sworn for roll call.

jury selectionJury Voir Dire - Panel Four493lines spoken

Summary

Panel Four voir dire examined widespread publicity, fixed opinions, and local ties to the Murdaugh family, law enforcement, and potential witnesses. The court excused jurors who could not be impartial, retained others after individual inquiry, and ended with 122 qualified jurors for an 80-person strike sheet.

ProceduralPretrial Motions and Evidentiary Issues23lines spoken

Summary

Judge Newman deferred rulings on several evidentiary issues, declined to admit proposed motive evidence in advance, and moved to a hearing on contested firearms-identification testimony.

CrossPaul Greer - CrossPaul GreerJim Griffin4lines spoken

Summary

Paul Greer said the scene cartridge cases could not be linked conclusively to Item 33, defended his same-firearm cycling conclusion and SLED's blind verification, and acknowledged subjective and caliber-specific limits in the methodology.

ProceduralFirearms Expert Admissibility Argument and Ruling13lines spoken

Summary

Judge Newman admitted Paul Greer's proposed firearms and toolmark findings, ruling that the defense's challenges concerned cross-examination and jury weight rather than admissibility.

Day 3

Jan 25, 2023

jury selectionIndividual Juror Voir Dire132lines spoken

Summary

The court resolved juror impartiality, hardship, and health concerns, then swore and narrowed the pool to eighty prospective jurors for the parties' strikes.

jury selectionJury Selection46lines spoken

Summary

The parties completed selection of twelve jurors and six alternates, waived hearings on four recorded statements, and obtained rulings on jury visibility and the sealing of graphic exhibits before the jury was sworn.

OpeningOpening Statement - Creighton WatersCreighton Waters3lines spoken

Summary

The State alleged that Alex Murdaugh killed Paul and Maggie at the Moselle kennels and previewed digital, firearm, forensic, and recorded-statement evidence it said would establish his presence, contradict his account, and support an alibi inference.

OpeningOpening Statement - Dick HarpootlianDick Harpootlian23lines spoken

Summary

The defense denied that Alex Murdaugh killed Maggie and Paul, challenged the State's timeline and investigation, and previewed digital, firearm, recording, and forensic disputes in support of reasonable doubt.

Day 4

Jan 26, 2023

ProceduralOpening Court Proceedings11lines spoken

Summary

The judge admitted an email alleging a juror-identity disclosure violation as Court's Exhibit Number 2, then addressed shielding an audience-visible monitor for a planned video presentation.

DirectDaniel Greene - DirectDaniel GreeneCreighton Waters33lines spoken

Summary

First responder Daniel Greene described finding Paul and Maggie at the Moselle kennels, securing Alex Murdaugh's loaded shotgun, preserving the scene, and authenticating body-camera and photographic evidence.

CrossDaniel Greene - CrossDaniel GreeneDick Harpootlian16lines spoken

Summary

Greene acknowledged that he did not preserve or report tire tracks and footprints, discussed patrol officers' movement through the scene without foot coverings, and addressed body-camera footage, the loaded shotgun, and two admitted crime-scene photographs.

DirectChad McDowell - DirectChad McDowellCreighton Waters6lines spoken

Summary

Chad McDowell used body-camera footage to describe his arrival at the Moselle kennels, preservation of a .300 Blackout casing, decision not to deploy his K-9, and careful movement inside the feed room.

RedirectChad McDowell - RedirectChad McDowellCreighton Waters8lines spoken

Summary

McDowell explained first-responder scene-preservation duties, said Alex Murdaugh moved freely and was not treated as a suspect to his knowledge, and counsel recorded a limited-purpose witness agreement concerning the Salkehatchie Road events.

DirectTinish Bryson-Smith - DirectTinish Bryson-SmithSavannah M. Goude3lines spoken

Summary

Hampton County 911 director Tinish Bryson-Smith explained the transfer of Alex Murdaugh's June 7 emergency call, authenticated State's Exhibit 9, and observed its playback after admission without objection.

CrossTinish Bryson-Smith - CrossTinish Bryson-SmithDick Harpootlian3lines spoken

Summary

Tinish Bryson-Smith explained the cell-tower routing that sent the 911 call to Hampton County and described her familiarity with Alex Murdaugh as limited.

DirectAngela Stallings - DirectAngela StallingsSavannah M. Goude4lines spoken

Summary

Angela Stallings authenticated Alex Murdaugh's transferred 911 call, timed its arrival at 10:07:09 p.m., and explained the recording system before State's Exhibit 11 was admitted without objection and played.

DirectJason Chapman - DirectJason ChapmanDavid A. Fernandez18lines spoken

Summary

Captain Jason Chapman described the initial Moselle investigation, scene-preservation decisions, Alex Murdaugh's statements and demeanor, and drone, photographic, GSR, tire-impression, and footwear evidence.

CrossJason Chapman - CrossJason ChapmanDick Harpootlian6lines spoken

Summary

Chapman acknowledged uncommunicated tire impressions, limits in footwear-evidence preservation, and uncertainty about how SLED used the warrant covering the Moselle residence.

RedirectJason Chapman - RedirectJason ChapmanDavid A. Fernandez19lines spoken

Summary

Chapman explained his qualified interpretation of shoe impressions near the hangar, while sustained objections prevented testimony characterizing discoloration in State's Exhibit 190 as blood.

Day 5

Jan 27, 2023

ProceduralOpening Court Proceedings6lines spoken

Summary

Counsel clarified that six exhibits from Captain Chapman's testimony had been admitted without defense objection before the jury returned.

DirectLaura Rutland - DirectLaura RutlandJohn Meadors7lines spoken

Summary

Detective Laura Rutland described obtaining the Moselle search warrant, observing the kennel scene and footwear impressions, authenticating Alex Murdaugh's first recorded interview, and seeing no apparent blood on him or his clothing.

ProceduralCourtroom Objection Procedure11lines spoken

Summary

Judge Newman limited objections to the examining attorney, barred argumentative speaking objections, and explained how counsel could preserve additional material for the record.

CrossLaura Rutland - CrossLaura RutlandJim Griffin5lines spoken

Summary

Jim Griffin challenged the initial Moselle investigation, eliciting limits in Rutland's visual observations and interview questions while examining the search warrant, unidentified boot prints, consent searches, and the investigation's initial suspect assessment.

RedirectLaura Rutland - RedirectLaura RutlandJohn Meadors4lines spoken

Summary

Rutland clarified SLED's control of the investigation, explained why vehicles and tracks were examined or excluded, revisited Paul's position and Alex's initial account, and gave contested testimony that Alex's clothes appeared fresh.

DirectDalila Cirencione - DirectDalila CirencioneSavannah M. Goude9lines spoken

Summary

SLED Agent Dalila Cirencione established the collection and custody of the victims' buccal swabs and an unidentified iPhone; the swabs were admitted, while the phone was marked only for identification.

CrossDalila Cirencione - CrossDalila CirencioneDick Harpootlian7lines spoken

Summary

Cirencione described receiving a phone near the kennels and transporting it in a sealed brown paper bag, while acknowledging that she did not recall its power state and received no special electronic-isolation instructions.

Voir DireMelinda Worley - Voir DireMelinda WorleySavannah M. Goude3lines spoken

Summary

Melinda Worley outlined her forensic experience before the court, without defense objection, accepted her as an expert in footwear and tire impressions.

DirectMelinda Worley - DirectMelinda WorleySavannah M. Goude69lines spoken

Summary

Melinda Worley mapped and documented the Moselle scene, identified ballistic and footwear evidence, explained vehicle and clothing testing, acknowledged an evidence-labeling error, and established custody or exhibit status for numerous items.

Day 6

Jan 30, 2023

CrossMelinda Worley - CrossMelinda WorleyDick Harpootlian37lines spoken

Summary

Harpootlian used Worley's scene records to challenge scene preservation, projectile-path interpretation, footwear documentation, and clothing tests, while Worley acknowledged several limitations but resisted conclusions about shooter number or location.

RedirectMelinda Worley - RedirectMelinda WorleySavannah M. Goude7lines spoken

Summary

Worley clarified the limits of her diagrams and footwear evidence, addressed possible shooter movement and use of two guns, and identified apparent biological matter in newly admitted ATV photographs.

RecrossMelinda Worley - RecrossMelinda WorleyDick Harpootlian4lines spoken

Summary

Worley acknowledged uncollected suspected blood-like material, defined limits on the footwear comparison and photographic scale, and said her role did not include crime-scene reconstruction.

DirectJeff Croft - DirectJeff CroftCreighton Waters20lines spoken

Summary

Croft authenticated Rogan Gibson's phone screenshots and documented searches that recovered firearms, ammunition, and weathered .300 Blackout casings at Moselle, with several guns admitted over defense objections.

ProceduralFirearms Evidence Admissibility Argument3lines spoken

Summary

The defense renewed its relevance and unfair-prejudice objections to multiple firearms, but Judge Newman upheld their admission as relevant and more probative than prejudicial.

DirectJeff Croft - Direct (Continued)Jeff CroftCreighton Waters30lines spoken

Summary

Croft authenticated firearms, ammunition, body-camera evidence, Maggie Murdaugh's recovered phone, Alex Murdaugh's June 10 interview, and buccal swabs, while describing S&B .300 Blackout evidence found across Moselle.

Day 7

Jan 31, 2023

ProceduralOpening Court Proceedings4lines spoken

Summary

Counsel thanked court personnel for their assistance before the jury returned and the State's case resumed.

CrossJeff Croft - CrossJeff CroftJim Griffin13lines spoken

Summary

Croft faced cross-examination about the limited connection between recovered Moselle firearms and the homicide evidence, gaps in searches and evidence handling, and his disputed interpretation of Alex Murdaugh's recorded words.

RedirectJeff Croft - RedirectJeff CroftCreighton Waters6lines spoken

Summary

Croft's redirect defended the scope of the firearm searches and June 10 interview, limited his own role in comparison testing, and identified eight admitted Winchester and Federal shotgun-shell exhibits.

RecrossJeff Croft - RecrossJeff CroftJim Griffin5lines spoken

Summary

On recross, Croft addressed stippling and .300 Blackout projectiles, then acknowledged limits on the provenance of shot-shell evidence collected months later from property not secured by law enforcement.

DirectMichael Knecht - DirectMichael KnechtJohn B. Conrad12lines spoken

Summary

Verizon custodian Michael Knecht authenticated nine exhibits and explained records showing a 9:04:24 p.m. call from Alex Murdaugh's account to Maggie's phone that went to voicemail.

RecrossMichael Knecht - RecrossMichael KnechtDick Harpootlian4lines spoken

Summary

Michael Knecht confirmed that the reviewed Verizon records lacked specific GPS data and disclaimed expertise in cell-tower triangulation.

DirectPaul McManigal - DirectPaul McManigalJohn B. Conrad4lines spoken

Summary

Paul McManigal explained the limited redaction of an extraction attributed to Alex Murdaugh's phone, confirmed that call logs remained intact, and documented his unsuccessful attempt to unlock the phone he believed was Paul's.

DirectJonathan VanHouten - DirectJonathan VanHoutenJohn B. Conrad7lines spoken

Summary

VanHouten explained how Cellebrite Premium unlocked Paul's phone, established the extraction and chain-of-custody foundation, and said SLED—not he—analyzed the contents.

ProceduralCell-Phone Chain-of-Custody Motion15lines spoken

Summary

The court denied the defense request to exclude testimony about Paul Murdaugh's phone extraction, finding the phone non-fungible and the State's chain of custody sufficient.

DirectJohn Bedingfield - DirectJohn BedingfieldCreighton Waters3lines spoken

Summary

John Bedingfield documented three .300 Blackout rifles assembled for Alex Murdaugh, including a 2018 replacement picked up by Maggie, while acknowledging that the third rifle's Form 4473 was missing.

RedirectJohn Bedingfield - RedirectJohn BedingfieldCreighton Waters3lines spoken

Summary

John Bedingfield explained that cerakote finishes can be applied in multiple colors at any time and clarified caliber entries on State's Exhibit 247.

Voir DireBritt Dove - Voir DireBritt DoveJohn B. Conrad3lines spoken

Summary

SLED Lieutenant Britt Dove described his digital-forensics experience and training before the court, without defense objection, qualified him as a cell-phone forensics expert.

DirectBritt Dove - DirectBritt DoveJohn B. Conrad22lines spoken

Summary

Britt Dove authenticated forensic reports from Maggie Murdaugh's phone and detailed its calls, messages, lock status, movement, and steps while emphasizing that the data could not identify the user.

Day 8

Feb 1, 2023

DirectBritt Dove - DirectBritt DoveJohn B. Conrad34lines spoken

Summary

Britt Dove detailed apparent missing calls and activity gaps on Alex Murdaugh's phone, traced Paul Murdaugh's final recorded phone use, and authenticated the kennel video's time and location metadata.

CrossBritt Dove - CrossBritt DovePhillip D. Barber16lines spoken

Summary

The defense used Britt Dove's phone records to argue that Alex and Maggie Murdaugh's phones were moving separately, while Dove resisted identifying an orientation change as proof the phone was thrown and acknowledged that cached GPS data may have been overwritten.

RedirectBritt Dove - RedirectBritt DoveJohn B. Conrad4lines spoken

Summary

Britt Dove clarified the timing and limits of phone movement, message, and camera-application records, resisting conclusions about when Maggie's phone was thrown or deliberately used.

DirectBrian Varnadoe - DirectBrian VarnadoeJohn Meadors8lines spoken

Summary

Brian Varnadoe described collecting and documenting gunshot-residue samples from Alex Murdaugh, whom he found cooperative and apparently unimpaired, with clean hands and no visible blood or debris.

DirectRogan Gibson - DirectRogan GibsonCreighton Waters6lines spoken

Summary

Rogan Gibson reconstructed his final calls with Paul Murdaugh, authenticated phone screenshots, and identified Paul, Maggie, and Alex by voice on the kennel video.

RedirectRogan Gibson - RedirectRogan GibsonCreighton Waters5lines spoken

Summary

Rogan Gibson reaffirmed the clear 8:40 p.m. call, Paul's plan to send a video, the three voices on the kennel video, and qualified details about sightlines and lighting near the sheds.

ProceduralFinancial-Evidence Admissibility Argument10lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed whether defense questioning opened the door to financial-motive evidence; the court allowed testimony to proceed and said it would rule on objections as they arose.

DirectWill Loving - DirectWill LovingCreighton Waters6lines spoken

Summary

Will Loving described the Murdaugh family's .300 Blackout rifles, the spring 2021 sighting of a tan rifle at Moselle, his final communications with Paul, and his certain identification of Paul, Maggie, and Alex on the kennel video.

CrossWill Loving - CrossWill LovingJim Griffin6lines spoken

Summary

Will Loving described Paul Murdaugh's casual firearm-storage practices, used an admitted receipt to refine the brown .300 Blackout timeline, and testified about close family relationships and Alex Murdaugh's grief after the killings.

RedirectWill Loving - RedirectWill LovingCreighton Waters8lines spoken

Summary

Will Loving authenticated a June 7 Snapchat video, limited his favorable view of Alex Murdaugh's family relationships to personal observation, and denied knowledge of Alex's financial affairs before the court announced a Rule 404(b) hearing.

Day 9

Feb 2, 2023

ProceduralRule 404(b) Argument and Ruling22lines spoken

Summary

The court clarified that its prior opening-the-door ruling rested on Rule 403, outlined the standards for proposed other-acts evidence, and ordered in-camera, act-specific review before deciding admissibility.

DirectHeidi Galore - DirectHeidi GaloreJohn B. Conrad6lines spoken

Summary

Snapchat records custodian Heidi Galore authenticated subscriber records and testified that a video tied to the account was uploaded to Memories at 7:39 p.m. and sent at 7:56 p.m. on June 7, 2021.

CrossHeidi Galore - CrossHeidi GalorePhillip D. Barber3lines spoken

Summary

Heidi Galore agreed that displayed file information placed the Snapchat video's apparent recording time at 7:38 p.m. and testified that friends-list and geolocation data had not been requested or produced.

DirectJeannie Seckinger - DirectJeannie SeckingerCreighton Waters16lines spoken

Summary

PMPED CFO Jeannie Seckinger testified in camera about missing fees, her June 7 inquiry to Alex Murdaugh, the later discovery of the fake Forge account, and firm records documenting client reimbursements and other questioned transactions.

ProceduralRule 404(b) Hearing Argument and Scheduling20lines spoken

Summary

The parties disputed the scope and admissibility of proposed financial evidence, and the court continued the required in-camera hearing while scheduling other witnesses for the jury.

DirectDylan Hightower - DirectDylan HightowerJohn B. Conrad6lines spoken

Summary

Dylan Hightower described locating and documenting Maggie Murdaugh's phone, authenticated scene and recovery photographs, and explained a qualified discrepancy between Alex Murdaugh's device call log and Verizon records.

RedirectDylan Hightower - RedirectDylan HightowerJohn B. Conrad6lines spoken

Summary

Dylan Hightower testified that Maggie Murdaugh's locked phone could be placed in airplane mode without a code and that no data was manipulated in his presence.

DirectKatie McCallister - DirectKatie McCallisterSavannah M. Goude4lines spoken

Summary

Katie McCallister described preserving Maggie Murdaugh's recovered phone, conducting a consent search of the Moselle house, transferring collected weapons and ammunition, and witnessing the collection of Buster Murdaugh's admitted buccal swab.

CrossKatie McCallister - CrossKatie McCallisterDick Harpootlian8lines spoken

Summary

Katie McCallister testified that her search of the Moselle house was visual, that she knew of no forensic swabbing of its showers or tubs, and that she found no visibly bloodied clothing or other visible traces.

DirectMichael Gunn - DirectMichael GunnCreighton Waters5lines spoken

Summary

Michael Gunn distinguished Forge Consulting's legitimate structured-settlement work from the Richard Murdaugh DBA Forge account and testified that the reviewed client-trust checks did not reach legitimate Forge Consulting.

CrossMichael Gunn - CrossMichael GunnJim Griffin3lines spoken

Summary

Michael Gunn testified that Forge Consulting's investigation found no record tying Maggie or Paul Murdaugh to Alex Murdaugh's DBA Forge account and that his company sold Alex no life insurance on either victim.

DirectChris Wilson - DirectChris WilsonCreighton Waters3lines spoken

Summary

Chris Wilson testified in camera that Alex Murdaugh directed $792,000 in legal fees to himself, returned only $600,000, and later acknowledged stealing money; Wilson authenticated checks, emails, a promissory note, and a text supporting the account.

ProceduralRule 404(b) Hearing Argument and Scheduling23lines spoken

Summary

The parties contested whether alleged financial misconduct supported motive or fear of detection. The court found enough evidence for the law-firm misconduct threshold but deferred final admissibility decisions pending the Satterfield documents, proposed Mark Tinsley testimony, bank witnesses, and further argument.

Day 10

Feb 3, 2023

DirectJan Malinowski - DirectJan MalinowskiCreighton Waters5lines spoken

Summary

Bank CEO Jan Malinowski testified in camera that Alex Murdaugh carried substantial debt and received two disbursements totaling $750,000 before supporting loan documents were generated.

RecrossJan Malinowski - RecrossJan MalinowskiJim Griffin4lines spoken

Summary

Jan Malinowski could not quantify or confirm the suggested total of Alex Murdaugh's historical interest payments to Palmetto State Bank.

DirectTony Satterfield - DirectTony SatterfieldCreighton Waters4lines spoken

Summary

In an in-camera admissibility hearing, Tony Satterfield described trusting Alex Murdaugh to handle claims arising from Gloria Satterfield's death, receiving incomplete settlement information, and later learning that settlement proceeds had been diverted.

CrossTony Satterfield - CrossTony SatterfieldJim Griffin3lines spoken

Summary

Tony Satterfield said an article prompted renewed settlement inquiries, but he could not place his contact with Alex Murdaugh before or after Maggie and Paul Murdaugh's deaths.

DirectCarson Burney - DirectCarson BurneyJohnny E. James12lines spoken

Summary

Forensic accountant Carson Burney traced alleged stolen funds through Murdaugh-controlled accounts and personal disbursements; Exhibits 373 through 397 were admitted for the Court's in-camera review.

Voir DireTom Darnell - Voir DireTom DarnellSavannah M. Goude3lines spoken

Summary

Tom Darnell described his fingerprint-analysis experience and training before the Court qualified him as an expert without defense objection.

DirectTom Darnell - DirectTom DarnellSavannah M. Goude5lines spoken

Summary

Tom Darnell reported no identifiable fingerprints on the examined firearms, ammunition, magazine, or phone and described the touch DNA swabs admitted as State's Exhibits 307, 308, and 309.

CrossTom Darnell - CrossTom DarnellDick Harpootlian4lines spoken

Summary

On cross-examination, Tom Darnell explained the limits of his laboratory examination, distinguished absent prints from prints unsuitable for comparison, and addressed how crime-scene fingerprint work should ordinarily be documented.

DirectBlake Johnson - DirectBlake JohnsonSavannah M. Goude5lines spoken

Summary

SLED investigator Blake Johnson authenticated buccal swabs collected from Claude Rowe and Connor Cook, which were admitted as State's Exhibits 338 and 339 without objection.

DirectLawrence Wiggins - DirectLawrence WigginsSavannah M. Goude4lines spoken

Summary

Lawrence Wiggins identified buccal swabs he collected from Roger Davis and Anthony Cook, and the court admitted them as State's Exhibits 336 and 337 without objection.

DirectChandler Horney - DirectChandler HorneySavannah M. Goude4lines spoken

Summary

SLED agent Chandler Horney identified buccal swabs from Morgan Doughty and Miley Altman, and State's Exhibit 340 was admitted without objection.

DirectJomar Albayalde - DirectJomar AlbayaldeSavannah M. Goude10lines spoken

Summary

SLED agent Jomar Albayalde authenticated three buccal samples, which were admitted as State's Exhibits 342, 343, and 344 without objection.

DirectPaul Greer - DirectPaul GreerDavid A. Fernandez21lines spoken

Summary

Paul Greer identified six .300 Blackout cases as fired by a tested rifle, linked other cases through narrower cycling marks, and found the scene shotshells came from one firearm while the camouflage Benelli comparison remained inconclusive.

CrossPaul Greer - CrossPaul GreerJim Griffin9lines spoken

Summary

Paul Greer acknowledged inconclusive links between the tested firearms and scene ammunition while defending a narrower cycling-mark conclusion, his methodology, and SLED's review process.

RedirectPaul Greer - RedirectPaul GreerDavid A. Fernandez5lines spoken

Summary

Paul Greer's report was admitted, and he defended firearms-examiner training, defined the limits of inconclusive comparisons, and reaffirmed a same-firearm cycling-mark conclusion for specified items.

ProceduralIn-Camera Witness and Privilege Issues14lines spoken

Summary

The State sought permission to investigate statements allegedly made by Alex Murdaugh at a June 10 gathering, while the defense objected that the request was unauthorized discovery; the Court requested briefing and deferred a privilege ruling.

Day 11

Feb 6, 2023

RedirectMark Tinsley - RedirectMark TinsleyCreighton Waters9lines spoken

Summary

Mark Tinsley explained why he sought institutional financial records, described settlement options involving property and a payment plan, and said additional liability theories were already under discussion. The court then addressed privilege limits for anticipated third-party testimony.

ProceduralRule 404(b) Ruling and Limiting Instruction22lines spoken

Summary

The court admitted alleged financial-crimes evidence under Rule 404(b), Rule 403, and res gestae, clarified that the ruling extended beyond June 7, and addressed the defense's request for a limiting instruction and preserved objection.

DirectShelley Smith - DirectShelley SmithJohn Meadors15lines spoken

Summary

Caregiver Shelley Smith described Alex Murdaugh's brief June 7 visit to Almeda, his later statement that he had stayed 30 to 40 minutes, and an early-morning visit when she saw him carry a blue tarp-like item upstairs.

ProceduralRecorded Witness Statement and Raincoat Evidence Issues15lines spoken

Summary

The court ordered disclosure of Shelley Smith's recorded statement under Rule 613, then heard a defense request to exclude blue raincoat evidence and the State's response without stating an express ruling.

RedirectShelley Smith - Redirect (Continued)Shelley SmithJohn Meadors13lines spoken

Summary

Shelley Smith reaffirmed that Alex Murdaugh's late Almeda visit was unusual and about 20 minutes, repeated his instruction to say 30 or 40 minutes if asked, and identified State's 411 as resembling the balled-up blue vinyl garment she saw him carry.

DirectKristin Moore - DirectKristin MooreSavannah M. Goude10lines spoken

Summary

SLED Agent Kristin Moore described finding and collecting a blue tarp and raincoat during a residence search and testified that presumptive blood testing of the raincoat was negative.

CrossKristin Moore - CrossKristin MooreJim Griffin3lines spoken

Summary

Kristin Moore confirmed that the blue tarp was not tested by her and that the raincoat produced negative phenolphthalein and LCV results, while acknowledging limits in efforts known to her to have the garment recognized.

DirectWilliam McElveen - DirectWilliam McElveenDavid A. Fernandez3lines spoken

Summary

William McElveen described Paul Murdaugh's frequent phone use, the Moselle layout and visitor routines, and his inability to recall firearms being left near the sheds.

CrossWilliam McElveen - CrossWilliam McElveenJim Griffin3lines spoken

Summary

William McElveen described close Murdaugh family relationships, responsible firearm handling, and Alex Murdaugh appearing sad and crying after the deaths.

ProceduralLimiting Instruction and Raincoat-Evidence Ruling7lines spoken

Summary

Counsel substantially agreed on a limiting instruction, and the court overruled the defense's Rule 403 objection to anticipated gunshot-residue testimony about the blue raincoat.

DirectNatasha Moodie - DirectNatasha MoodieJohnny E. James10lines spoken

Summary

Natasha Moodie authenticated three discs of Bank of America account records, which the court admitted as State's Exhibits 415 through 417 after giving a limiting instruction on their use for motive.

DirectJamie Hall - DirectJamie HallJohn Meadors10lines spoken

Summary

Jamie Hall explained SLED's GSR evidence-processing procedures and authenticated samples from a hand kit, clothing, shoes, a seatbelt, and a blue rain jacket, while documenting the condition of the shirt and shoes.

CrossJamie Hall - CrossJamie HallJim Griffin4lines spoken

Summary

Jamie Hall explained her GSR collection methods and confirmed that she did not know the analytical results or whether the items later underwent DNA testing.

ProceduralRaincoat-Evidence Argument12lines spoken

Summary

The defense challenged the foundation for anticipated gunshot-residue testimony about Exhibit 226, while the State argued that witness and recovery testimony supplied a sufficient chain. The court adjourned without an express ruling.

Day 12

Feb 7, 2023

ProceduralRaincoat Evidence Argument and Juror Replacement13lines spoken

Summary

The court denied the defense's challenges to Shelley Smith's raincoat testimony and anticipated gunshot-residue evidence, preserved the defense objection, and excused an alternate juror who was in the emergency room.

DirectJeannie Seckinger - DirectJeannie SeckingerCreighton Waters42lines spoken

Summary

PMPED CFO Jeannie Seckinger described her June 7 inquiry into missing Faris fees, the September discovery of checks and a fake Forge account tied to Alex Murdaugh, and the firm's reconstruction and repayment of diverted client funds. The court limited the evidence to the State's motive theory.

RedirectJeannie Seckinger - RedirectJeannie SeckingerCreighton Waters3lines spoken

Summary

Jeannie Seckinger said she demanded proof concerning the Faris fees on June 7, explained why the firm delayed pressing Alex Murdaugh after the killings, and described doubts that persisted after Chris Wilson said the money remained in trust.

RecrossJeannie Seckinger - RecrossJeannie SeckingerJim Griffin11lines spoken

Summary

Jeannie Seckinger distinguished the Chris Wilson check from the broader Forge inquiry and said the firm later learned the funds were unavailable in July. The court also clarified the source of criticized rough drafts and recorded an agreement concerning possible limited witness recall.

DirectRonnie Crosby - DirectRonnie CrosbyCreighton Waters4lines spoken

Summary

Ronnie Crosby described PMPED's fee rules and financial discovery, recounted Alex Murdaugh's June 7 account, identified Paul, Maggie, and Alex on State's Exhibit 297, and gave emotional testimony about Paul.

RedirectRonnie Crosby - RedirectRonnie CrosbyCreighton Waters12lines spoken

Summary

Ronnie Crosby said he had known Alex Murdaugh for about 25 years before the court sustained a character-evidence objection and ended the redirect.

DirectMegan Fletcher - DirectMegan FletcherJohn Meadors4lines spoken

Summary

Megan Fletcher reported GSR particles on clothing submitted as Alex Murdaugh's, his hands, a seatbelt buckle, and both sides of a blue rain jacket, while explaining that the testing generally could not distinguish discharge, proximity, or transfer or determine when residue reached an item.

Day 13

Feb 8, 2023

CrossMegan Fletcher - CrossMegan FletcherJim Griffin8lines spoken

Summary

Megan Fletcher agreed that gunshot residue can persist and transfer, could not date or identify the source of particles on the seatbelt buckle or blue rain jacket, and explained why a related blue tarp was not tested.

DirectAnnette Griswold - DirectAnnette GriswoldCreighton Waters5lines spoken

Summary

Annette Griswold described suspicious Forge and Faris fee disbursements, an unresolved law-firm inquiry on June 7, and her September discovery of a deposited fee check in Alex Murdaugh's office.

ProceduralExhibit 441 Admissibility Argument and Ruling25lines spoken

Summary

The court admitted State's Exhibit 441 as a party-opponent statement, offered a rehabilitation-related redaction that the defense declined, denied a renewed motion to strike the financial evidence, and declined to repeat a limiting instruction at that juncture.

DirectMichael Gunn - DirectMichael GunnJohnny E. James6lines spoken

Summary

Michael Gunn explained legitimate structured-settlement practices, described an unfunded Deon Martin proposal and Lee Cope's client-file inquiries, and testified that Murdaugh's DBA Forge account was not a Forge Consulting account.

DirectBrian Hudak - DirectBrian HudakJohn B. Conrad12lines spoken

Summary

Brian Hudak explained SLED's inability to examine the Suburban's system, authenticated custody records for its infotainment and OnStar modules, and identified the modules before they were marked for identification only.

Voir DireDwight Falkofske - Voir DireDwight FalkofskeJohn B. Conrad3lines spoken

Summary

FBI electronics engineer Dwight Falkofske described his automotive-data extraction work and was qualified without defense objection as an automotive forensic specialist.

DirectDwight Falkofske - DirectDwight FalkofskeJohn B. Conrad7lines spoken

Summary

FBI engineer Dwight Falkofske explained the Suburban's encrypted logs, test-vehicle validation, 911 call entries, and park-state timeline while stressing that the data could not prove movement or identify an occupant.

CrossDwight Falkofske - CrossDwight FalkofskePhillip D. Barber6lines spoken

Summary

Falkofske limited what could be inferred from the Suburban's infotainment logs and required the original data before validating a defense device-history printout.

Day 14

Feb 9, 2023

CrossDwight Falkofske - CrossDwight FalkofskePhillip D. Barber7lines spoken

Summary

Dwight Falkofske explained the Suburban's automatic Bluetooth connections, confirmed that no location data was recovered for June 7, and authenticated a vehicle-event report admitted as Defendant's Exhibit 90.

DirectChris Wilson - DirectChris WilsonCreighton Waters12lines spoken

Summary

Chris Wilson testified about $792,000 in legal fees directed to Alex Murdaugh, calls with him on June 7, and Wilson's later use of $192,000 of his own money to cover a trust-account shortfall.

ProceduralRoadside-Shooting Evidence Argument Before Proffer13lines spoken

Summary

The defense raised hearsay, improper-opinion, Rule 403, and scope objections to proposed testimony that Chris Wilson heard about Alex Murdaugh's roadside shooting, and the court requested a proffer before resolving admissibility.

profferChris Wilson - ProfferChris WilsonCreighton Waters5lines spoken

Summary

Chris Wilson proffered testimony about Alex Murdaugh's September 4 admissions and a later phone report that Murdaugh had been shot; the court excluded the phone report as hearsay.

DirectChris Wilson - DirectChris WilsonCreighton Waters3lines spoken

Summary

Chris Wilson described confronting Alex Murdaugh about missing legal fees, recounted admissions of opioid addiction and theft, said his own $192,000 was never repaid, and revisited their final June 7 call.

RedirectChris Wilson - RedirectChris WilsonCreighton Waters6lines spoken

Summary

Chris Wilson clarified the timing of the $192,000 shortfall and June 7 calls, then explained how his trust in Alex Murdaugh contrasted with the unexpected September disclosures of opioid addiction and theft.

ProceduralSatterfield Testimony Admissibility Argument19lines spoken

Summary

The court denied the defense's Rule 403 request to exclude Tony Satterfield's testimony, preserved the objection, and agreed to repeat its limiting instruction on financial evidence.

DirectTony Satterfield - DirectTony SatterfieldCreighton Waters19lines spoken

Summary

Tony Satterfield described trusting Alex Murdaugh to pursue insurance proceeds after Gloria Satterfield's death, receiving progress reports without disclosure of recoveries, and later obtaining a confession of judgment concerning the missing funds.

DirectJan Malinowski - DirectJan MalinowskiCreighton Waters18lines spoken

Summary

Bank CEO Jan Malinowski traced Murdaugh's multimillion-dollar debt, a $400,000 overdraft deposit and $350,000 wire, and loan documents he said were created after an August 2021 board inquiry.

ProceduralMotion Concerning Mark Tinsley’s Testimony12lines spoken

Summary

The court refused to exclude Mark Tinsley's testimony over a reported $1,000 donation to a witness fundraiser, allowed cross-examination on the issue, and reserved rulings on other proposed testimony.

DirectMark Tinsley - DirectMark TinsleyCreighton Waters15lines spoken

Summary

Mark Tinsley described the boat-case insurance limits, a $10 million personal demand against Alex Murdaugh, the rejection of claims that Murdaugh was broke, and financial discovery that led to the admitted motion to compel.

ProceduralEvidence Objection and Defense-Witness Scheduling11lines spoken

Summary

The court sustained a defense relevance objection to detailed civil-case questioning, then discussed the State's estimated completion date and travel arrangements for out-of-state defense experts.

Day 15

Feb 10, 2023

DirectMark Tinsley - DirectMark TinsleyCreighton Waters9lines spoken

Summary

Mark Tinsley traced the financial-discovery hearing's continuance to June 10, its cancellation after the killings, and the effect a vigilante-victim perception would have had on the civil claim against Alex Murdaugh.

RedirectMark Tinsley - RedirectMark TinsleyCreighton Waters11lines spoken

Summary

Mark Tinsley said the motion to compel was intended to pressure Alex Murdaugh and could begin a continuing process of subpoenas and litigation over access to his account records.

DirectBlanca Turrubiate-Simpson - DirectBlanca Turrubiate-SimpsonJohn Meadors28lines spoken

Summary

Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson testified about Maggie's June 7 communications, Alex's clothing, unusual conditions inside Moselle the next morning, missing wardrobe items, and a later conversation about which shirt Alex had worn.

profferBlanca Turrubiate-Simpson - ProfferBlanca Turrubiate-SimpsonJohn Meadors8lines spoken

Summary

Simpson proffered Maggie Murdaugh's reported anxiety about a $30 million lawsuit; the court found the testimony responsive to the defense's family portrayal, overruled the objection, and denied a mistrial.

DirectBlanca Turrubiate-Simpson - DirectBlanca Turrubiate-SimpsonJohn Meadors9lines spoken

Summary

Simpson identified Alex, Maggie, and Paul as the three voices on the kennel video, described Maggie's lawsuit concerns and kennel habits, and addressed phone use, bathroom conditions, and clothing shown in a frame from the June 7 video.

CrossBlanca Turrubiate-Simpson - CrossBlanca Turrubiate-SimpsonDick Harpootlian16lines spoken

Summary

Simpson described Alex and Maggie's relationship, qualified what she knew about the Moselle search and Alex's clothing, said she saw no visible blood in the bathroom, and testified about unreliable cell service and Alex's later shirt conversation.

profferBlanca Turrubiate-Simpson - ProfferBlanca Turrubiate-SimpsonCreighton Waters11lines spoken

Summary

Simpson denied that Alex Murdaugh mentioned a recent SLED interview during their August shirt conversation, and the court sustained a hearsay objection after contested argument.

CrossBlanca Turrubiate-Simpson - CrossBlanca Turrubiate-SimpsonDick Harpootlian6lines spoken

Summary

Simpson addressed firearms routinely left around Moselle, limits on her clothing identification, Maggie's June 7 texts and plans, and the timing of SLED's questions about Alex's clothing.

RedirectBlanca Turrubiate-Simpson - RedirectBlanca Turrubiate-SimpsonJohn Meadors4lines spoken

Summary

Simpson clarified her observations of shirts and a rain jacket, described new clothing Alex acquired after the killings, compared exhibit images, and testified that Maggie texted that Alex wanted her to come to Moselle.

RecrossBlanca Turrubiate-Simpson - RecrossBlanca Turrubiate-SimpsonDick Harpootlian4lines spoken

Summary

Simpson qualified her clothing identifications from a still or frozen frame of the previously admitted June 7 video, saying the shirt was only Columbia-style, it was not what Alex wore when leaving that morning, and the khakis were only a possible match.

DirectBelinda Rast - DirectBelinda RastDavid A. Fernandez3lines spoken

Summary

Belinda Rast testified that she exchanged her scheduled June 7 caregiving shift with Shelley Smith and, qualifying the date as "on the 6th, I think it was," recalled Alex and Maggie bringing Randolph donuts the night before Maggie and Paul were killed.

DirectMatthew Wild - DirectMatthew WildJohn B. Conrad7lines spoken

Summary

Matthew Wild mapped Paul, Maggie, and Alex Murdaugh's phones using call records, device data, and drive tests, while stressing that the records did not identify who held a device. He found the 911 call compatible with a Moselle location despite its use of a Varnville-area tower and traced Alex's phone through Almeda-, Summerville-, and Hampton-area sectors from June 8-15.

DirectNathan Tuten - DirectNathan TutenDavid A. Fernandez4lines spoken

Summary

Nathan Tuten identified family firearms and the three voices on the kennel video, and said Alex Murdaugh very frequently sent him to cash checks until, he believed, a few weeks before the murders.

RedirectNathan Tuten - RedirectNathan TutenDavid A. Fernandez12lines spoken

Summary

Nathan Tuten said he was unaware of threats to Maggie, described kennel cleaning and lighting, and said Paul commonly carried his phone in his back pocket while working outside.

Day 16

Feb 13, 2023

ProceduralJuror COVID Replacements and Evidentiary Issues41lines spoken

Summary

Two COVID-positive jurors were replaced by alternates 441 and 326, and the court addressed safety precautions and the defense's preparation needs after GM produced new vehicle data.

DirectRyan Kelly - DirectRyan KellySavannah M. Goude6lines spoken

Summary

Ryan Kelly identified and described collecting the buccal swabs admitted without objection as State's Exhibits 464 through 468.

Voir DireRachel Nguyen - Voir DireRachel NguyenSavannah M. Goude3lines spoken

Summary

Rachel Nguyen outlined her forensic training and experience before the court qualified her, without defense objection, as an expert in forensic serology.

DirectRachel Nguyen - DirectRachel NguyenSavannah M. Goude13lines spoken

Summary

Rachel Nguyen explained blood screening and DNA-sample preparation for firearm, storage-room-door, vehicle, fingernail, clothing, shoe, and raincoat evidence, reporting qualified positive and negative results but no DNA-profile comparisons.

CrossRachel Nguyen - CrossRachel NguyenPhillip D. Barber6lines spoken

Summary

Rachel Nguyen explained that firearm-swab results were only presumptive, not human-specific or confirmatory, and clarified her limited role in preparing samples for later DNA analysis.

Voir DireSara Zapata - Voir DireSara ZapataSavannah M. Goude4lines spoken

Summary

Sara Zapata described her DNA-analysis training and experience before the court qualified her, without defense objection, as an expert in DNA analysis.

DirectSara Zapata - DirectSara ZapataSavannah M. Goude14lines spoken

Summary

Sara Zapata explained STRmix and reported DNA results from firearms, ammunition, fingernails, vehicle and clothing samples, while emphasizing source-attribution limits, uninterpretable profiles, and negative confirmatory blood testing on the shirt.

CrossSara Zapata - CrossSara ZapataPhillip D. Barber8lines spoken

Summary

Zapata acknowledged low-level foreign male DNA under Margaret Murdaugh's fingernails, explained why it was not suitable for CODIS, and defended the limits of DNA-source conclusions while confirming negative Hematrace results from the sampled white T-shirt items.

RecrossSara Zapata - RecrossSara ZapataPhillip D. Barber5lines spoken

Summary

Sara Zapata agreed that ordinary contact could account for a deceased person's touch DNA on an object or a wife's touch DNA on her husband's shirt.

DirectEllen Riemer - DirectEllen RiemerCreighton Waters17lines spoken

Summary

Ellen Riemer explained the victims' autopsy findings, wound paths, probable shot sequences, causes and manners of death, and the limits of her reconstruction; after cross was deferred, the parties addressed witness travel, the State's characterization of new GM timeline material, and the projected trial schedule.

Day 17

Feb 14, 2023

CrossEllen Riemer - CrossEllen RiemerDick Harpootlian17lines spoken

Summary

The defense pressed Ellen Riemer on scene-information gaps, uncertain wound geometry, and an alternative contact-wound theory for Paul; she acknowledged reconstruction limits but maintained her shoulder-to-head trajectory and noncontact conclusion.

RecrossEllen Riemer - RecrossEllen RiemerDick Harpootlian4lines spoken

Summary

Ellen Riemer said her autopsy conclusions came from examining the bodies, declined to interpret a calf mark she had not observed, and faced no further inquiry after a scope objection was sustained.

DirectDevin Newell - DirectDevin NewellJohn B. Conrad3lines spoken

Summary

General Motors technical expert Devin Newell authenticated newly located vehicle telematics records containing diagnostic, GPS, and speed information; State's Exhibit 515 was admitted without objection.

DirectRoger Dale Davis Jr. - DirectRoger Dale Davis Jr.David A. Fernandez3lines spoken

Summary

Roger Dale Davis Jr. described his June 7 kennel routine, said later photographs showed a disturbed hose and atypical water accumulation, marked the dogs' locations, and identified Paul, Maggie, and Alex on the kennel video.

RedirectRoger Dale Davis Jr. - RedirectRoger Dale Davis Jr.David A. Fernandez3lines spoken

Summary

Roger Dale Davis Jr. clarified kennel drainage and water damage, described his June 7 evening routine, and said he saw no firearms at Moselle that particular day.

DirectCarson Burney - DirectCarson BurneyJohnny E. James4lines spoken

Summary

Carson Burney traced $792,000 through Murdaugh-controlled accounts, identified replacement payments to Chris Wilson, and testified about Murdaugh's available funds and credit on June 7, 2021.

DirectMarian Proctor - DirectMarian ProctorCreighton Waters3lines spoken

Summary

Marian Proctor recounted Maggie's final June 7 call about returning from Edisto and an expected Almeda visit, then described Alex's statements, priorities, and apparent lack of fear after the killings. She distinguished her firsthand conversations from a kennel account relayed through her mother and added limited context about Buster, Maggie's kennel habits, and the family's AR-style guns.

CrossMarian Proctor - CrossMarian ProctorJim Griffin4lines spoken

Summary

Marian Proctor authenticated a recent family photograph, qualified her concern about the missed Almeda visit, and described Alex's grief and close relationships with Maggie and Paul. She retained a separate concern about his focus after the killings and provided ordinary context about his firearm-carrying habits, Bubba, and Maggie's enjoyment of the kennel dogs.

ProceduralRoadside-Shooting and Fidelity Evidence Argument58lines spoken

Summary

The court allowed limited testimony explaining how the September roadside shooting, Murdaugh's firing, and his drug problem changed Marian Proctor's concerns, but excluded remote fidelity evidence as potentially confusing.

CrossBart Proctor - CrossBart ProctorJim Griffin5lines spoken

Summary

Bart Proctor said he did not recognize a blue raincoat pictured by SLED agents and had never recognized it before, including when asked whether he had seen Paul wear it.

ProceduralRoadside-Shooting Motion in Limine34lines spoken

Summary

The State argued that Murdaugh's false unknown-assailant account after the roadside shooting was connected to the financial confrontation and intended to suggest the killers had returned; the defense challenged its relevance and admissibility, and the court deferred ruling until the next morning.

Day 18

Feb 15, 2023

ProceduralRoadside-Shooting Evidence Ruling2highlights13lines spoken

Summary

Judge Newman excluded the proposed roadside-shooting evidence at that time, finding insufficient logical relevance and an unacceptable risk of violent-propensity prejudice.

Highlights (2)

rulingThe court granted the defense motion to exclude the roadside-shooting evidence at that time, finding that it failed logical-relevance and Rule 403 analysis and risked suggesting a propensity for violent acts.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“We have guardrails, and the Court is to place guardrails to keep things within a reasonable realm, and I believe this, as I stated, would be a bridge too far.”— Clifton NewmanJudge Newman explained why he would not extend the admission of financial-motive evidence to the proposed roadside-shooting evidence.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

DirectDavid Owen - DirectDavid OwenJohn Meadors26lines spoken

Summary

Lead SLED investigator David Owen traced the investigation from the Moselle crime scene through Alex Murdaugh's recorded interviews, identified repeated inconsistencies, and explained the delayed recovery of the 8:44 p.m. kennel video.

CrossDavid Owen - CrossDavid OwenJim Griffin14lines spoken

Summary

Lead investigator David Owen acknowledged a missed Almeda search opportunity, uncollected clothing, delayed awareness of negative blood testing, and inaccurate grand jury statements about the shirt and shotgun loads.

RedirectDavid Owen - RedirectDavid OwenJohn Meadors15lines spoken

Summary

David Owen explained how investigators tested Alex Murdaugh's changing accounts, highlighted blood and firearms evidence, and supplied context for the kennel timeline and the September roadside shooting.

Voir DireDavid Grubbs - Voir DireDavid GrubbsJohn B. Conrad3lines spoken

Summary

David Grubbs outlined his digital-forensics credentials and was qualified, without defense objection, as an expert in cell phone forensics.

DirectDavid Grubbs - DirectDavid GrubbsJohn B. Conrad7lines spoken

Summary

David Grubbs explained activity and logging limits in Paul and Maggie Murdaugh's phone records; three reports were admitted, and the court later reversed its earlier restriction on examination about Alex Murdaugh's relationship with Eddie Smith.

Day 19

Feb 16, 2023

ProceduralRoadside-Shooting Evidence Argument1highlight25lines spoken

Summary

The court reaffirmed that the defense had opened the door to limited roadside-shooting evidence, after which counsel agreed on an abbreviated presentation while preserving the defense's objection.

Highlights (1)

rulingThe defense placed its objection to the prior redirect ruling on the record, arguing that its cross-examination had not opened the door to the roadside shooting and that any responsive evidence had to remain proportional. The court reaffirmed its ruling that the defense had introduced the relationship between Alex Murdaugh and Eddie Smith and that the State could explore it, while reserving discussion about the permissible extent of that evidence.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

DirectKenneth L. Kinsey - DirectKenneth L. KinseyCreighton Waters14lines spoken

Summary

Kenneth Kinsey reconstructed the fatal shootings of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh and offered opinions about their positions, the shooters' locations, an ATV tire impression, and the placement of Paul's phone.

CrossKenneth L. Kinsey - CrossKenneth L. KinseyDick Harpootlian4lines spoken

Summary

Defense counsel used photographs, Kinsey's report, and physical demonstrations to test his shooting reconstruction, eliciting limitations about firing distance, exact shooter positions, and the tire-impression comparison.

RecrossKenneth L. Kinsey - RecrossKenneth L. KinseyDick Harpootlian7lines spoken

Summary

Kenneth Kinsey confirmed the corrected orientation and shotgun position in a brief recross before the judge appointed Juror 826 as foreperson and emphasized the equal authority of all jurors.

DirectRyan Kelly - DirectRyan KellyCreighton Waters17lines spoken

Summary

Ryan Kelly traced the roadside-shooting account through physical, DNA, surveillance, telephone, and financial evidence connecting Alex Murdaugh to Curtis Edward Smith, while saying no evidence linked Smith to the Moselle killings.

Day 20

Feb 17, 2023

CrossRyan Kelly - CrossRyan KellyDick Harpootlian14lines spoken

Summary

Ryan Kelly acknowledged Murdaugh's documented head injuries while describing his later admissions, defense-arranged interview, surrender, and arrest in the roadside-shooting investigation.

RedirectRyan Kelly - RedirectRyan KellyCreighton Waters6lines spoken

Summary

Ryan Kelly said Murdaugh voluntarily and appropriately answered questions during two hospital interviews and explained the arrangements and subject limits for the September 13 telephone interview.

RecrossRyan Kelly - RecrossRyan KellyDick Harpootlian17lines spoken

Summary

Ryan Kelly said truck images were intended to test Murdaugh's account and acknowledged that he did not consult medical personnel about competency before hospital questioning.

DirectPeter Rudofski - DirectPeter RudofskiCreighton Waters39lines spoken

Summary

Peter Rudofski combined phone, carrier, telemetry, and newly received OnStar data into a June 7 timeline emphasizing the victims' final phone activity, the Suburban's movements and speeds, missing extracted call-log entries, and the interval between arrival at the kennels and the 911 call.

CrossPeter Rudofski - CrossPeter RudofskiPhillip D. Barber19lines spoken

Summary

Defense counsel challenged the completeness and interpretation of Rudofski's phone-and-vehicle timeline, eliciting limits on orientation, step, camera, and headlight inferences while disputing his assessment of Murdaugh's post-911 phone use.

ProceduralState Rests and Directed-Verdict Motion20lines spoken

Summary

The State completed its case, the defense sought a directed verdict based on asserted gaps in the circumstantial evidence, and the court denied the motion before the defense called its first witness.

DirectRichard Harvey - DirectRichard HarveyDick Harpootlian5lines spoken

Summary

Coroner Richard Harvey said the death certificates' 9:00 time was an estimate based on body warmth and lack of rigor, and he agreed the deaths could have occurred between 8:00 and 10:00.

RedirectRichard Harvey - RedirectRichard HarveyDick Harpootlian3lines spoken

Summary

Richard Harvey said Colleton County detectives did not consult him about his time-of-death examination or how he reached his conclusion.

DirectShalane Tindal - DirectShalane TindalDick Harpootlian5lines spoken

Summary

Shalane Tindal described the sheriff's office and SLED's jointly coordinated no-danger statement, its later removal from a release, and the limits of her public-information role.

RedirectShalane Tindal - RedirectShalane TindalDick Harpootlian6lines spoken

Summary

A joking redirect question produced no substantive testimony; Tindal was excused, and the court adjourned until Tuesday morning.

Day 21

Feb 21, 2023

ProceduralJuror Replacement and Courtroom Publicity28lines spoken

Summary

The court replaced absent Juror 441 with randomly selected Juror 530 without objection, discussed the defense's projected timetable, and cautioned Jim Griffin against trial-related posting after his repost of a Washington Post article.

DirectBuster Murdaugh - DirectBuster MurdaughJim Griffin22lines spoken

Summary

Buster Murdaugh described family life, firearms, June 7 communications, and the aftermath of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh's deaths, while the defense addressed Almeda access, clothing, a reward notice, and a disputed recorded phrase.

CrossBuster Murdaugh - CrossBuster MurdaughJohn Meadors4lines spoken

Summary

Buster Murdaugh was questioned about Moselle and Almeda access, the recent disclosure of a parking detail, his ignorance of his father's finances, boat-case stress, Alex's clothing, and his refusal to sleep at Moselle again.

RedirectBuster Murdaugh - RedirectBuster MurdaughJim Griffin3lines spoken

Summary

Buster Murdaugh clarified that his mother usually took dogs to Edisto and that he understood Bubba and Grady were at Moselle on June 7.

DirectMike Sutton - DirectMike SuttonDick Harpootlian31lines spoken

Summary

Mike Sutton presented defense reconstructions of the shooting trajectories, gunshot audibility, and vehicle evidence, opining that the quail-pen shot most likely came from a short, low-positioned shooter and was very unlikely to have been fired by Alex Murdaugh.

CrossMike Sutton - CrossMike SuttonDavid A. Fernandez14lines spoken

Summary

The prosecution challenged Mike Sutton's qualifications, unlabeled graphs, acoustic-test inputs, projectile assumptions, and short-shooter renderings; Sutton acknowledged several limits but maintained that his engineering analysis supported low firing positions and faint gunshot audibility inside Moselle.

RedirectMike Sutton - RedirectMike SuttonDick Harpootlian11lines spoken

Summary

Mike Sutton defended his trajectory and acoustic analyses, used newly admitted SLED crime-scene notes to explain projectile paths, acknowledged limits in his perspective and source data, and reaffirmed his opinion that Alex Murdaugh could not have fired the quail-pen shot under the stated firing-position assumptions.

RecrossMike Sutton - RecrossMike SuttonDavid A. Fernandez4lines spoken

Summary

Mike Sutton agreed that his trajectory lines fixed the weapon's path rather than a particular shooter and that a person at the kennels would have heard the gunfire.

Day 22

Feb 22, 2023

ProceduralScope of Cross-Examination if Defendant Testifies16lines spoken

Summary

The defense sought advance limits on financial-misconduct questioning if Alex Murdaugh testified; the court declined a blanket ruling and reserved specific objections for the testimony.

DirectMark Ball - DirectMark BallJim Griffin9lines spoken

Summary

Mark Ball described weak access control and disturbing conditions at the released Moselle scene, identified the family voices on the kennel video, disputed an audio interpretation, and balanced favorable family observations with his sense of betrayal over Alex's thefts.

CrossMark Ball - CrossMark BallCreighton Waters16lines spoken

Summary

Mark Ball said Alex Murdaugh repeatedly gave him an account contradicted by the kennel video, described the firm's discovery of extensive client thefts and Alex's removal, and explained why he immediately doubted the later roadside shooting story.

DirectDawes Cooke Jr. - DirectDawes Cooke Jr.Margaret N. Fox4lines spoken

Summary

Civil defense lawyer Dawes Cooke Jr. described the boat-accident claim as defensible and testified that its financial-discovery dispute was not viewed as an imminent or extraordinary threat to Alex Murdaugh.

CrossDawes Cooke Jr. - CrossDawes Cooke Jr.Creighton Waters3lines spoken

Summary

Dawes Cooke Jr. limited his knowledge of Murdaugh's finances and earlier defense discussions while acknowledging that civil discovery could have led to a court-ordered financial production.

RedirectDawes Cooke Jr. - RedirectDawes Cooke Jr.Margaret N. Fox4lines spoken

Summary

The court blocked opinion questions about the likelihood of a June 10 discovery order, but Cooke testified that any ordered document production would not have been immediate.

RecrossDawes Cooke Jr. - RecrossDawes Cooke Jr.Creighton Waters3lines spoken

Summary

Dawes Cooke Jr. agreed that an order requiring all requested documents would begin the production process and eventually result in production.

DirectKenneth Zercie - DirectKenneth ZercieDick Harpootlian14lines spoken

Summary

Kenneth Zercie identified shortcomings in contamination control, evidence preservation, fingerprint and blood processing, and footwear photography, while the court barred speculation that additional work might have produced exculpatory evidence.

CrossKenneth Zercie - CrossKenneth ZercieJohn Meadors17lines spoken

Summary

The State tested Kenneth Zercie's limited case review, lack of a written report, methodology, compensation, and footwear opinions; he agreed with the State examiner's qualified findings while maintaining that inadequate photographs prevented definitive comparisons.

RedirectKenneth Zercie - RedirectKenneth ZercieDick Harpootlian4lines spoken

Summary

Kenneth Zercie criticized the handling and photography of footwear impressions but said he could not date the prints or identify a particular shoe as their source.

RecrossKenneth Zercie - RecrossKenneth ZercieJohn Meadors5lines spoken

Summary

Kenneth Zercie said he had prepared several PowerPoints that were not used, after which the court admitted the defense's PowerPoint as Exhibit 145 without objection.

DirectBarbara Mixson - DirectBarbara MixsonJim Griffin3lines spoken

Summary

Barbara Mixson, a longtime caregiver for Elizabeth Murdaugh, described Alex Murdaugh's frequent visits, recounted her last call with Maggie, confirmed a June 7 request that Alex check on his mother, and said she never saw a blue tarp laid out at Almeda.

CrossBarbara Mixson - CrossBarbara MixsonJohn Meadors4lines spoken

Summary

Barbara Mixson acknowledged her close attachment to the Murdaugh family, an earlier omission of her June 7 conversation with Alex Murdaugh, and uncertainty about when she first disclosed it.

DirectMicah Sturgis - DirectMicah SturgisPhillip D. Barber4lines spoken

Summary

Micah Sturgis explained Maggie Murdaugh's phone activity, identified limitations in the available GPS and timeline data, and offered qualified interpretations of screen, camera, movement, and call events.

RecrossMicah Sturgis - RecrossMicah SturgisJohn B. Conrad5lines spoken

Summary

Micah Sturgis confirmed the kennel video's stated time and location, then clarified the limits and comparative accuracy of iPhone step data.

Day 23

Feb 23, 2023

ProceduralTestimony-Scope Argument and Right-to-Testify Colloquy2highlights28lines spoken

Summary

The court declined to revisit its admission of financial-crimes and other-acts evidence, preserved future objections to specific questioning, and advised Alex Murdaugh of his right to testify; Murdaugh said he would take the stand.

Highlights (2)

rulingThe court declined to change its prior admissibility ruling or create a special exception for Murdaugh, while preserving objections to particular questions for rulings as they arose.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“And the Court will not change course during the trial and provide any special exception to Mr. Murdaugh with regard to testimony regarding the matters that the Court has already determined to be admissible.”— Clifton NewmanThe court expressly maintained its prior ruling on the financial-crimes and other-acts evidence.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

RedirectNolen Tuten - RedirectNolen TutenMargaret N. Fox9lines spoken

Summary

Tuten clarified the limited nighttime view from the Moselle house toward the kennels, said he did not see the black Ford F-150 there that morning, and then left the stand before the defense announced its next witness.

DirectAlex Murdaugh - DirectAlex MurdaughJim Griffin37lines spoken

Summary

Alex Murdaugh admitted being at the kennels and lying to investigators, presented his June 7 timeline, acknowledged financial theft and opioid addiction, described the later roadside shooting, and denied killing Maggie and Paul.

CrossAlex Murdaugh - CrossAlex MurdaughCreighton Waters19lines spoken

Summary

Waters challenged Murdaugh over his newly admitted kennel lie, legal and law-enforcement influence, badge use, and extensive client thefts; Murdaugh admitted deception but repeatedly qualified his memory of specific acts.

Day 24

Feb 24, 2023

CrossAlex Murdaugh - CrossAlex MurdaughCreighton Waters55lines spoken

Summary

Waters tested Alex Murdaugh's newly disclosed kennel account against digital data, prior interviews, financial deceptions, disputed conversations with Shelley Smith and Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson, and the timing of his 911 call. Murdaugh admitted extensive lying but denied influencing witnesses, manufacturing an alibi, or killing Maggie and Paul.

RecrossAlex Murdaugh - RecrossAlex MurdaughCreighton Waters5lines spoken

Summary

Waters pressed Alex Murdaugh about pills, an alleged manufactured alibi, inaccurate June 7 statements, and his delayed kennel disclosure. Murdaugh denied the central allegations and clarified the meaning of his statement about hurting loved ones.

ProceduralClosing-Argument and Jury-Charge Scheduling10lines spoken

Summary

The parties discussed completing testimony Monday and tentatively targeting Wednesday for arguments and jury charges. The court left under consideration—but viewed unfavorably—the defense request to split its closing argument.

Day 25

Feb 27, 2023

ProceduralJury View Argument and Ruling1highlight9lines spoken

Summary

The court granted the defense's request for a secured jury view of Moselle but refused to poll jurors, citing the risk of premature deliberations.

Highlights (1)

rulingThe court declined to poll the jury, reasoning that doing so could invite premature deliberations, but allowed a jury view upon a party's request. After the defense confirmed its request, the court directed that law enforcement secure the scene and arranged the visit.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Voir DireJonathan Eisenstat - Voir DireJonathan EisenstatDick Harpootlian3lines spoken

Summary

Jonathan Eisenstat reviewed his forensic-pathology credentials and was qualified without objection as an expert in that field.

DirectJonathan Eisenstat - DirectJonathan EisenstatDick Harpootlian27lines spoken

Summary

Defense pathologist Jonathan Eisenstat challenged the direction assigned to one of Maggie Murdaugh's wounds and opined that Paul Murdaugh's fatal head wound was a contact shotgun wound from above.

CrossJonathan Eisenstat - CrossJonathan EisenstatSavannah M. Goude3lines spoken

Summary

The State tested Jonathan Eisenstat's compensation, lack of a written report, wound interpretations, and limits as a scene-reconstruction witness; he maintained his core pathology opinions and classified both deaths as homicides.

Voir DireTimothy Palmbach - Voir DireTimothy PalmbachJim Griffin3lines spoken

Summary

Timothy Palmbach reviewed his forensic-science credentials and was qualified without objection in crime-scene reconstruction, bloodstain analysis, and shooting-incident reconstruction.

DirectTimothy Palmbach - DirectTimothy PalmbachJim Griffin14lines spoken

Summary

Defense expert Timothy Palmbach disputed the State's trajectory for Paul's fatal wound, supported a two-shooter scenario, criticized unperformed impression processing, and defended his reconstruction under cross-examination.

DirectJohn Marvin Murdaugh - DirectJohn Marvin MurdaughJim Griffin3lines spoken

Summary

John Marvin Murdaugh traced the family's June 7 movements, described the traumatic kennel aftermath, and challenged parts of the phone recovery, property searches, recorded interview, and raincoat investigation.

ProceduralHearsay Argument Before Proffer19lines spoken

Summary

The court heard hearsay and relevance objections to proposed testimony about SLED statements, then directed defense counsel to make a proffer.

profferJohn Marvin Murdaugh - ProfferJohn Marvin MurdaughJim Griffin8lines spoken

Summary

John Marvin Murdaugh attributed a blood-covered-shirt account to Captain Ryan Neill, and the court overruled the State's relevance objection.

CrossJohn Marvin Murdaugh - CrossJohn Marvin MurdaughJohn B. Conrad3lines spoken

Summary

John Marvin Murdaugh conceded that Alex lied by not disclosing his kennel presence, while the State also tested his recollection of SLED interviews, opioid-related observations, and family accounts of Randolph Murdaugh's condition.

ProceduralDefense Rests and Renewed Directed-Verdict Motion9lines spoken

Summary

The defense rested, and the court denied its renewed directed-verdict motion before scheduling the State's reply and the jury view.

Day 26

Feb 28, 2023

ProceduralScope of Rebuttal Testimony8lines spoken

Summary

The defense challenged the proposed breadth of the State's reply case, and the judge required rebuttal to be finely tailored while reserving individual rulings for specific objections.

DirectRonnie Crosby - DirectRonnie CrosbyCreighton Waters14lines spoken

Summary

Ronnie Crosby rebutted testimony about daytime hog hunting, said Alex Murdaugh's trial testimony was the first time he heard Alex admit being at the kennels, discussed money taken from a Boulware matter, and distinguished David Williams from David Owen.

CrossEllen Riemer - CrossEllen RiemerDick Harpootlian14lines spoken

Summary

The defense pressed Ellen Riemer on omitted photographs, notes, brain X-rays, pellet counts, and an unreported packing-material observation; she acknowledged those limits but maintained her shoulder-to-head trajectory and noncontact-wound conclusion.

RedirectEllen Riemer - RedirectEllen RiemerCreighton Waters3lines spoken

Summary

Ellen Riemer reaffirmed that her opinions relied on extensive autopsy experience and direct examination of bodies, rejected the proposed contact wound to Paul's head, and concluded after a repetitive-questioning objection was sustained.

CrossT.C. Smalls - CrossT.C. SmallsJim Griffin3lines spoken

Summary

T.C. Smalls said he could not determine whether another official authorized blue lights for Alex Murdaugh and maintained that he never knew Murdaugh had them.

DirectPaul McManigal - DirectPaul McManigalJohn B. Conrad5lines spoken

Summary

Paul McManigal testified that a thrown iPhone may not activate Raise to Wake, while acknowledging different software and variable test results.

CrossPaul McManigal - CrossPaul McManigalPhillip D. Barber10lines spoken

Summary

The defense exposed documentation and expertise limits in McManigal's Raise to Wake experiments, but the judge declined to strike his qualified opinion that a moved phone's screen might remain off.

RedirectPaul McManigal - RedirectPaul McManigalJohn B. Conrad3lines spoken

Summary

Paul McManigal defended his Raise to Wake testing, saying thrown phones often remained dark while acknowledging that he did not know exactly how the accelerometers work.

ProceduralCouncil Motion and Rebuttal Issues24lines spoken

Summary

The judge left the challenged Raise to Wake experiment testimony before the jury, deferred a final decision on requested surrebuttal, and allowed both sides to replace worksheets affected by a disclosed math error.

DirectKenneth L. Kinsey - DirectKenneth L. KinseyAlan Wilson11lines spoken

Summary

Kenneth Kinsey rebutted defense theories about shooter height, Paul's fatal wound, pellet trajectories, and two shooters while acknowledging that the number of shooters remained unresolved by his analysis.

CrossKenneth L. Kinsey - CrossKenneth L. KinseyJim Griffin10lines spoken

Summary

The defense tested Kinsey's trajectory reconstruction and its limits, while Kinsey maintained his account of Paul's fatal wound and acknowledged likely biological blowback on the shooter.

ProceduralState Rests Rebuttal and Surrebuttal Discussion5lines spoken

Summary

The State rested rebuttal, the defense declined surrebuttal, and the judge deferred the jury view before recessing to confer with counsel.

ProceduralIn-camera Hearing22lines spoken

Summary

After a sealed in-camera portion, the defense renewed its prior directed-verdict motions, the judge denied them, and the court set safeguards for the jury's next-day view of Moselle.

ProceduralIn-camera Hearing68lines spoken

Summary

The judge limited other-bad-acts evidence to motive, reserved the voluntary-intoxication charge, required an instruction addressing other charges and punishment, and resolved several additional charge requests.

Day 27

Mar 1, 2023

ProceduralOpening Court Proceedings8lines spoken

Summary

The jury returned, and the judge marked the close of the evidence before calling on the State to begin closing arguments.

ClosingClosing Argument - Creighton WatersCreighton Waters22lines spoken

Summary

Waters tied the State's financial-motive theory to the kennel video, digital timeline, family firearms, forensic evidence, and Alex Murdaugh's changing accounts, then asked the jury to return guilty verdicts.

Day 28

Mar 2, 2023

ProceduralJuror 785 Removal and Replacement1highlight27lines spoken

Summary

The court removed Juror 785 for outside discussions about the case, sealed the inquiry record, and seated Juror 254 by an unopposed blind selection before defense closing resumed.

Highlights (1)

rulingThe court found that Juror 785 had discussed the case with at least three people and expressed an opinion about evidence, ordered her removal, and directed that the inquiry materials be sealed. The defense did not except to the ruling but criticized SLED's role in interviewing two people; the court said its own inquiry did not involve discussions with SLED agents.Open in transcript →

ClosingClosing Argument - Jim GriffinJim Griffin24lines spoken

Summary

Jim Griffin challenged the State's investigation, motive, digital timeline, and forensic proof, acknowledged Murdaugh's kennel lie, and argued that the circumstantial evidence required not-guilty verdicts.

RebuttalRebuttal Closing - John MeadorsJohn Meadors8lines spoken

Summary

John Meadors urged jurors to reject the defense's investigative criticisms, focus on Murdaugh's kennel lie and the combined timeline, firearms, clothing, and gunshot-residue evidence, and return guilty verdicts.

Jury InstructionJury Charge1highlight14lines spoken

Summary

Judge Newman defined the governing law for the four charges, limited other-acts evidence to motive, instructed the jury on unanimous deliberations and verdict forms, and sent the jury to deliberate.

Highlights (1)

Quote“If these circumstances merely portray the defendant's behavior as suspicious, the proof has failed.”— Clifton NewmanThe instruction stated the limit on a conviction resting on circumstantial evidence that establishes only suspicious behavior.Open in transcript →

VerdictVerdict1highlight24lines spoken

Summary

The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on two murder charges and two weapon-possession charges, and the court denied the defense's motion to set aside the verdict before scheduling sentencing for the next morning.

Highlights (1)

Quote“The jury has been polled and the verdict is a unanimous verdict.”— Clifton NewmanThe court formally confirmed that every juror maintained the published verdicts after individual polling.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 29

Mar 3, 2023

sentencingSentence of the Court2highlights23lines spoken

Summary

The court imposed two consecutive natural-life sentences after Murdaugh maintained his innocence, then addressed juror privacy and reported postings of courtroom photographs.

Highlights (2)

rulingThe court sentenced Murdaugh to natural life for each murder, ordered the two life sentences to run consecutively, and imposed no sentence on the weapon-possession indictments because life sentences had been imposed on the murder indictments.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“Those sentences will run consecutively.”— Clifton NewmanThe court specified that the two natural-life sentences would be served consecutively.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

About

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