Randolph Murdaugh III

20232023 Murder TrialJan 23, 2023 – Mar 3, 2023

Randolph Murdaugh III's terminal condition interrupted a June 7 law-firm fee inquiry involving his son Alex, while other testimony addressed family logistics, payments, and expected estate funds.

Jury Selection Day 1

Jan 23, 2023

jury selectionJury Voir Dire - Panel OneMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 3

Jan 25, 2023

OpeningOpening Statement - Creighton WatersCreighton WatersMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 5

Jan 27, 2023

CrossLaura Rutland - CrossLaura RutlandJim GriffinMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 6

Jan 30, 2023

DirectJeff Croft - Direct (Continued)Jeff CroftCreighton WatersMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 7

Jan 31, 2023

DirectBritt Dove - DirectBritt DoveJohn B. ConradMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 8

Feb 1, 2023

DirectBritt Dove - DirectBritt DoveJohn B. ConradMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossBritt Dove - CrossBritt DovePhillip D. BarberMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RedirectBritt Dove - RedirectBritt DoveJohn B. ConradMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossBrian Varnadoe - CrossBrian VarnadoeJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

Brian Varnadoe described Alex Murdaugh as cooperative, respectful, and shaken up, acknowledged limits on his GSR collection role and the possibility of transfer from a gun, and authenticated a sealed defense photograph of Paul Murdaugh.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossRogan Gibson - CrossRogan GibsonJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

Rogan Gibson described close Murdaugh family relationships, loosely secured vehicles and firearms at Moselle, and Alex's grief after the killings, while reaffirming Alex's voice on the kennel video.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 9

Feb 2, 2023

CrossJeannie Seckinger - CrossJeannie SeckingerJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

Jim Griffin tested the timing and foundation of PMPED's financial investigation, eliciting that the firm initially suspected hidden fees rather than theft, that older Forge records had long been accessible, and that parts of the client-authorization inquiry rested on work by others.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RedirectJeannie Seckinger - RedirectJeannie SeckingerCreighton WatersMentioned

Summary

Jeannie Seckinger reaffirmed that client funds entered Alex Murdaugh's Forge account without a legitimate explanation and explained how firm trust, repayment practices, the June 7 killings, and later-discovered records shaped the timing of the firm's inquiry.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectDylan Hightower - DirectDylan HightowerJohn B. ConradMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 10

Feb 3, 2023

DirectJan Malinowski - DirectJan MalinowskiCreighton WatersMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectCarson Burney - DirectCarson BurneyJohnny E. JamesMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 11

Feb 6, 2023

DirectRonnie Crosby - DirectRonnie CrosbyCreighton WatersMentioned

Summary

Ronnie Crosby described Alex Murdaugh's June 10 account to assembled friends and relatives, distinguished it from private conversations with counsel, and confirmed that investigators had avoided the meeting pending court guidance.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossRonnie Crosby - CrossRonnie CrosbyJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

Ronnie Crosby denied acting as Alex Murdaugh's lawyer at the June 10 gathering and said he could not identify who was present for each particular statement because attendance was fluid.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectShelley Smith - DirectShelley SmithJohn MeadorsMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossShelley Smith - CrossShelley SmithJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

Shelley Smith maintained that Alex Murdaugh carried a balled-up blue tarp, limited his June 7 Almeda visit to about 20 minutes, and said she saw no blood. The defense highlighted earlier timing estimates and her delayed tarp disclosure.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RecrossShelley Smith - RecrossShelley SmithJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

Shelley Smith distinguished the blue tarp she saw from the photographed rain jacket, acknowledged limits on identifying a folded closet item, and agreed that Randolph Murdaugh's hospitalization provided context for Alex Murdaugh's visit.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 12

Feb 7, 2023

DirectJeannie Seckinger - DirectJeannie SeckingerCreighton WatersMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossJeannie Seckinger - CrossJeannie SeckingerJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

Jim Griffin challenged the immediacy and murder-case relevance of PMPED's financial inquiry, while Jeannie Seckinger maintained that she pressured Alex Murdaugh for Faris-fee answers despite the firm's trust and delayed discovery of the broader misconduct.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 13

Feb 8, 2023

CrossMegan Fletcher - CrossMegan FletcherJim GriffinMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossAnnette Griswold - CrossAnnette GriswoldJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

Annette Griswold described Alex Murdaugh as family-oriented but difficult to work for, recounted his changed demeanor after the killings, and explained her fear over reporting the Faris check before reading Exhibit 441 in full.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 14

Feb 9, 2023

CrossChris Wilson - CrossChris WilsonJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

Chris Wilson said he knew of no Faris-fee crisis on June 7, observed ordinary demeanor during Murdaugh's late-evening calls, and viewed him as a family-oriented friend who appeared devastated after the killings.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

ProceduralSatterfield Testimony Admissibility ArgumentMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossJan Malinowski - CrossJan MalinowskiJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

Jan Malinowski testified that Murdaugh historically had access to bank credit and substantial collateral, while qualifying that a $350,000 advance was documented later and one loan appeared unsecured.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 15

Feb 10, 2023

RedirectMark Tinsley - RedirectMark TinsleyCreighton WatersMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossBlanca Turrubiate-Simpson - CrossBlanca Turrubiate-SimpsonDick HarpootlianMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectBelinda Rast - DirectBelinda RastDavid A. FernandezMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossBelinda Rast - CrossBelinda RastDick HarpootlianMentioned

Summary

Belinda Rast maintained that Alex and Maggie Murdaugh's Sunday-night visit was unusual, placed it closer to 9 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, and described Libby Murdaugh's dementia and Paul's calming effect on her.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 17

Feb 14, 2023

DirectMarian Proctor - DirectMarian ProctorCreighton WatersMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossMarian Proctor - CrossMarian ProctorJim GriffinMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 18

Feb 15, 2023

RecrossDavid Owen - RecrossDavid OwenJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

David Owen acknowledged that he never asked Alex Murdaugh about hiding guns at Almeda, accepted the limited Item 22 conclusion, and explained a disputed visit date.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 20

Feb 17, 2023

DirectPeter Rudofski - DirectPeter RudofskiCreighton WatersMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 21

Feb 21, 2023

DirectBuster Murdaugh - DirectBuster MurdaughJim GriffinMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 22

Feb 22, 2023

DirectBarbara Mixson - DirectBarbara MixsonJim GriffinMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 24

Feb 24, 2023

RedirectAlex Murdaugh - RedirectAlex MurdaughJim GriffinMentioned

Summary

Griffin sought to rehabilitate Alex Murdaugh through addiction, family-health, and device-timeline evidence. Murdaugh admitted repeated lies and the roadside fabrication, denied possessing Maggie's phone, distinguished mistaken times from deliberate deception, and again denied hurting Maggie or Paul.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 25

Feb 27, 2023

DirectJohn Marvin Murdaugh - DirectJohn Marvin MurdaughJim GriffinMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 26

Feb 28, 2023

CrossT.C. Smalls - CrossT.C. SmallsJim GriffinMentioned

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.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RedirectMark Ball - RedirectMark BallCreighton WatersMentioned

Summary

Mark Ball said local authorities continued assisting early in the investigation and confirmed that Alex Murdaugh and his father had served as assistant solicitors in the same office.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

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