Johnny E. James

Johnny E. James conducted prosecution examinations focused on financial records, fund tracing, and settlement practices. On Day 10, his questioning of forensic accountant Carson Burney developed testimony about alleged stolen funds moving through Murdaugh-controlled accounts and personal disbursements. The court admitted Exhibits 373 through 397 for its in-camera review.

On Day 11, James asked Bank of America records custodian Natasha Moodie to identify the information contained on three discs. The court admitted the discs as State's Exhibits 415 through 417 and instructed the jury that the records were admitted for a limited purpose related to motive. On Day 13, James examined Michael Gunn about legitimate structured settlements, including deferred taxation, and established Gunn's testimony that Murdaugh's DBA Forge account was not a Forge Consulting account.

James returned to Burney's testimony on Day 17. During voir dire, he developed the scale of Burney's record review and qualifications; after the defense renewed its Rule 404 objection, the court qualified Burney as an expert. James then elicited tracing testimony concerning $792,000, replacement payments to Chris Wilson, and Murdaugh's funds and credit on June 7, 2021. On redirect, he addressed the distinction between liquid assets and real estate, clarified the basis for a claimed total of more than $4 million in interest, and elicited that traced funds went toward loan and interest payments.