Who is Alex Murdaugh?
Alex Murdaugh is a fourth-generation lawyer whose family long exerted influence in small-town courtrooms across parts of South Carolina. Alex is a member of the locally prominent Murdaugh family. And has been famous for being a part of Peter Murdaugh Parker Eltzroth & Detrick (PMPED) law firm. He has been subjected to different allegations. He was convicted in the fatal shootings of his wife, Margaret, and their youngest son, Paul. On March 2, 2023, he was found guilty of their slayings.
At 10:06 pm, he called the police from his cellphone he had discovered the bodies of his 52-year-old wife and their 22-year-old son Paul near the dog kennels at the family hunting lodge in Islandton, South Carolina. Both his wife and son had been shot multiple times and with different weapons. He reported that at the time of the killings (later it was determined at around 9 pm), he had been with his family’s terminally ill father, Randolf III, and mother who has dementia.
It was revealed in October 2021, that South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) had regarded Alex as a person of interest in the homicides since the start of the investigation. However, the investigation has been heavily criticized. Reportedly, police failed to collect DNA evidence and the scene was ruined due to rainfall that occurred in the area after the murders. Also, police have allowed family members and friends to walk through the scene.
How Old Is Alex Murdaugh?
He is 64 years old as of March 2023, having been born on June 17, 1958, in Hampton, South Carolina, U.S. Alex Murdaugh shares his birthdate with celebrities such as; KJ Apa, Lisa Mantler, Lena Mantler, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., Kendrick Lamar, and many more.
Alex Murdaugh Family
Who are Alex Murdaugh’s Parents?
He was born to Randolf Murdaugh III (Father) and Elizabeth “Libby” Alexander (Mother). He hails from a prominent family, the Murdaugh family.
Does Alex Murdaugh have Siblings?
He has a brother by the name of John Marvin Murdaugh. His brother testified in Alex’s double murder trial. And a sister by the name of Lynn Murdaugh.
Alex Murdaugh Education
He received his education at The University of South Carolina of Law. Where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in political science and a Juris Doctorate Degree.
Alex Murdaugh Marital Status
He was married to Margaret Murdaugh whom he murdered on June 7, 2021, with a riffle.
Alex Murdaugh Kids
He and his late wife Margaret had two kids. Two sons y the names of Buster Murdaugh, and Paul Terry Murdaugh. He murdered the latter on June 7, 2021, with a shotgun.
Alex Murdaugh Height and Measurements
Adding up to his well-built body is a height of 6ft 0 inches (1.83m) and a weight of 94kg (207 lbs).
Indictment and Arrest
In July 2022, he was arrested after the Collection County Grand Jury issued an indictment charging him with two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in the deaths of his wife Maggie, and his son Paul. The indictment said that Alex shot his wife with a riffle and his son with a shotgun. Sources close to the investigation said that high-velocity blood spatter on Alex’s clothing. As well as cellphone footage, placed him at the scene of the crime when his wife and son were shot.
Moreover, prosecutors suggested that Alex was motivated by a desire to garner sympathy in the wake of financial issues that were beginning to go public. However, he pled not guilty while state prosecutors said they would seek life imprisonment without the possibility of parole rather than the death penalty. Circuit Court Judge Cliffton Newman denied bail on October 19, 2021.
Trial
The trial began at the Colleton County Courthouse in Waterboro, South Carolina on January 25, 2023. With instructions from the judge and opening statements from the prosecution and defense. Thus Alex Murdaugh is represented by Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin. On early February 2, 2023, the judge dismissed the jury. This was after defense counsel argued that the prosecution should be prohibited from asking questions related to Alex’s financial crimes but the judge overruled their objections and announced he would make a formal ruling on the matter on February 2, 2023.
After several days of hearing arguments without the jury present, on February 7, Judge Newman ruled the testimony related to Alex’s alleged financial crimes was admissible. Because of testing positive for COVID-19, Judge Newman announced on February 13, that two jurors had been dismissed with alternate jurors. Judge Newman announced on March 2, he had been notified a juror had discussed the evidence presented. That same day, the jury was charged and began jury deliberation.
Verdict
After three hours of deliberation, on March 2, 2023, the jury found Alex Murdaugh guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime. After the verdict was read judge Newman told the jurors “The circumstantial evidence, direct evidence — all of the evidence pointed to one conclusion, and that’s the conclusion that you all reached.” Newman later added that the jury had come to a “proper conclusion as they saw the law and facts”. Alex is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3, 2023, at 9:30 pm. He thus faces 30 years to life in prison without parole for each murder charge.
Alex Murdaugh’s Salary and Net Worth
From his profession as a lawyer, he used to acquire $250,000 USD annually. And has an approximate net worth of $1 million.
