Rogan Gibson

Rogan Gibson testified for the State on Day 8 about his communications with Paul Murdaugh on the evening of June 7 and his recognition of voices associated with the kennel video. Gibson described his lifelong friendship with Paul, his familiarity with the Murdaugh family and Moselle, and his knowledge of firearms Paul commonly used.

Gibson said Paul called him at about 8:40 p.m. concerning an injury to Gibson's dog, Cash, at the kennels. During the call, he heard Maggie and a third voice that he thought was Alex's. Gibson attempted an unsuccessful FaceTime call and expected Paul to send a video instead. Phone screenshots documented those exchanges, Gibson's later unanswered calls and texts to Paul, his message to Maggie, and missed calls from Alex after Gibson had gone to sleep.

After the kennel video was played in court, Gibson identified the voices as Paul, Maggie, and Alex. He acknowledged that he had initially reported being 99 percent sure the third voice was Alex's, later expressed uncertainty, and became positive after watching the video.

Cross-examination tested the basis of that identification and whether Gibson independently remembered a vehicle arriving. Gibson said he remembered hearing a third voice, not a vehicle, and maintained his identification of Alex's voice through redirect. The defense also elicited his descriptions of the family's relationships and conditions at Moselle, including spotty cellular coverage, inconsistent locking, variable locations of vehicles and firearms, no known security cameras at the outbuildings, and the short drive between the sheds and the house.