Alex Murdaugh’s defense attorney brushes prosecutors’ accusations: ‘no direct evidence’
Prosecutors, Alex Murdaugh, and his defense attorneys will enter the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C., on Thursday to resume the double-murder trial.
On Wednesday, opening statements from both sides were heard as prosecutors painted a graphic picture of how Murdaugh, 54, allegedly killed his wife and son using a shotgun and a rifle.
Murdaugh’s defense, however, said the evidence was spotty and argued that it did not adequately tie the South Carolina attorney to the murders.
“There’s no direct evidence. There’s no eyewitnesses. There’s nothing on camera. There’s no fingerprints. There’s no forensics tying him to the crime. None,” defense lawyer Dick Harpootlian said.
Harpootlian, following prosecutor Creighton Waters, offered a graphic description of the scene where the bodies of Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and her son, Paul, 22, were found.
He argued the gruesome nature of the crime seems to fall at odds with the “loving” relationship the family exhibited.
Alex Murdaugh was also seen crying when his lawyer discussed the details of the crime scene.
“Alex was the loving father of Paul and the loving husband of Maggie,” Harpootlian said. “You’re not going to hear a single witness say that their relationship was anything other than loving.”
Wednesday was the start of what is expected to be a three-week trial. It officially started after both sides finished selecting a 12-person jury with six alternates Wednesday.
Murdaugh has been charged with two counts of murder. If convicted, he faces 30 years to life in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.