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On the evening that Alex Murdaugh's spouse and son could be fatally shot on the grounds of their rural property in Colleton County, South Carolina, the 22-year-old despatched out a video on Snapchat to a number of associates.
What the video incorporates has not but been disclosed publicly, however prosecutors say its existence is a "essential" side of the double homicide trial in opposition to Murdaugh, 54, a once-prominent lawyer accused of killing his spouse Margaret, 52, and their youthful son, Paul, on June 7, 2021. The trial continues Tuesday with jury choice.
A number of the prosecution's proof within the case — and what can and cannot be introduced throughout the trial — should nonetheless be decided by Circuit Courtroom Choose Clifton Newman, as Murdaugh's protection group filed motions Monday searching for to dam a number of the state's skilled witness testimony.
Newman is anticipated to listen to arguments on the motions as soon as the jury of 12 plus six alternates is seated. A timeline for opening statements is unclear, however courtroom officers spent the primary day of jury choice going via about 700 jury summonses.
Newman has already ordered representatives from Snapchat, in addition to Google, to be subpoenaed to testify on the trial to attest to proof on digital units.
The Snapchat video was despatched by Paul to his associates at 7:56 p.m., in line with courtroom paperwork, simply over two hours earlier than Murdaugh would inform a 911 dispatcher that he discovered his spouse and son lifeless.
Neither tech firm responded to requests for remark Tuesday.
In addition to potential digital proof, forensics can also play a key half throughout the trial.
However within the newest filings by Murdaugh's attorneys, his protection group is searching for to get the courtroom to refuse to confess proof that authorities stated will present blood from Paul spattered on his father's shirt. The protection contends that the shirt was destroyed earlier than they may take a look at it they usually stated there's proof the skilled analyzing the shirt modified his conclusions underneath stress from state brokers.
Prosecutors additionally stated on the December listening to that there might be issues with the blood spatter work. They have not commented on the topic in courtroom papers or within the courtroom since then.
The protection's filings make clear features of the crime scene that weren't beforehand made public. They embody that Margaret had 5 totally different gunshot wounds, together with behind the top, from a semi-automatic rifle, whereas Paul was shot twice with a shotgun, within the chest and shoulder.
There's DNA from the victims on Murdaugh's shirt, however his protection stated that was the results of coming into contact with their our bodies, which have been mendacity close to canine kennels on the property.
"The homicide scene was ugly; there was a considerable amount of blood on and round their our bodies which transferred onto Mr. Murdaugh's fingers and clothes when he frantically checked them for indicators of life," in line with the submitting.
There isn't any indication that the homicide weapons have been recovered on the scene.
Prosecutors stated on the December listening to that they imagine Murdaugh killed his spouse and son in a determined try to achieve sympathy earlier than a string of alleged monetary crimes surfaced publicly. They accuse Murdaugh of scheming and stealing about $8.5 million from greater than a dozen victims, together with via his household's agency and from shoppers. He has but to face trial or enter a plea on these costs.
Murdaugh's attorneys stated it defies logic for an lawyer to suppose scrutiny of his life would lower following the killings of his spouse and son, they usually preserve prosecutors are attempting to smear him as a result of they seem to haven't any different important proof.
His attorneys have additionally stated he had an alibi on the evening of the killings and that he was spending time together with his mom, who has dementia, and her caregiver.
Greater than 250 potential witnesses might be referred to as throughout the trial, which may final a couple of weeks. They embody members of the Murdaugh household, together with one other son, Buster, in addition to Curtis Edward Smith, the person who authorities allege Murdaugh employed to kill him in September 2021 in order that Buster may gather on a $10 million life insurance coverage coverage on his father.
The Related Press contributed.
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