David A. Fernandez

David A. Fernandez presented much of the prosecution's firearms and scene evidence. He examined SLED firearms examiner Paul Greer at an early hearing and again before the jury. Greer compared .300 Blackout cases and shotshells with tested firearms, identified links among some recovered items, and explained where comparisons were inconclusive. On redirect, Fernandez addressed defense criticism of the method and the limits of Greer's conclusions.

With Captain Jason Chapman, Fernandez developed the initial Moselle response, Alex Murdaugh's statements, scene-preservation choices, and photographic, drone, gunshot-residue, tire, and footwear evidence. Defense cross-examination exposed limits in preservation and documentation. Fernandez's redirect returned to Chapman's qualified reading of shoe impressions; the judge sustained objections to characterizing discoloration in a photograph as blood.

Fernandez also used fact witnesses to establish Paul's frequent phone use, details of the June 7 kennel routine, and identifications of Paul, Maggie, and Alex on the kennel video. Roger Dale Davis Jr. described how a disturbed hose and pooled water in later photographs differed from usual kennel conditions; he said he saw no firearms at Moselle that day. During the defense case, Fernandez cross-examined engineer Mike Sutton about the assumptions behind low-shooter trajectory and gunshot-audibility opinions. Sutton maintained his conclusions while acknowledging limits. On recross, Fernandez established that trajectory lines described possible weapon positions, not the shooter's identity, and that someone at the kennels would have heard the shots.