Jurors in Alex Murdock murder case A judge ruled Monday in the shooting death of his wife and son before they began deliberating on the South Carolina home where the murders took place.
Attorneys for the disgraced South Carolina attorney have requested a trip to the Colleton County property, known as Moselle, so the jury can see dog kennels near where 52-year-old Maggie Marta’s body was found and a 22-year-old storage room. The old Paul Murdock was killed on June 7, 2021.
54-year-old Alex Murdock Accused of murder On the death of his wife and son. If convicted, he faces 30 years to life in prison. Before the issue of arbitrator attendance came up, both sides suggested that final statements and discussions could begin this week.
Defense attorney Dick Harboudlian said Monday that it was important for jurors to visit the Murdock home to see “how small the dining room is” and “where the dining room is relative to Maggie’s body.”
“You can’t really appreciate spatial complexities without actually seeing them,” he said.
Prosecutors told the judge they didn’t want to see the jury because it had been 20 months since the murders and it seemed odd.
Prosecutor Creighton Waters said trees planted between Murdock’s house and kennels shortly before the murders had grown tall and thick, and one of the state’s main arguments was that Murdock testified that he was 1,100 feet inside the house when investigators believe the murders took place. , should have been able to hear gunshots or shogun blasts. He said no.
“If anything, it will require additional testimony because the scenario is different,” Waters said on Day 25 of the trial.
Judge Clifton Newman agreed to schedule visitation, saying he usually allows it if both parties request one. Only the jury, judge, lawyers and police and security personnel can be present.
The date of visit has not been fixed.
The judge agreed with Harboudlian to request that Colleton County representatives provide additional security for the property, which is currently in place. Under the contract With a buyer for $3.9 million.
A defense lawyer said at the weekend that multiple trespassers were found taking selfies outside the dining room where Paul Murdock died.
“It’s the most disgusting thing we’ve ever seen,” Harboudlian said.
