Alex Murdaugh testifies in his own double-murder trial

Former South Caroline lawyer Richard “Alex” Murdaugh took to the stand in his own defence on Thursday. Murdaugh has been accused of murdering his wife and sun.

Murdaugh has admitted to lying to investigators, but denies shooting his wife Maggie, 52 and his son, Paul, 22.  Maggie and Paul were shot at the dog kennels on the family’s estate on June 7th, 2021.

Murdaugh’s testimony was against the advice of his legal team.

“I am going to testify. I want to testify,” Murdaugh said.

“Mr. Murdaugh, on June 7, 2021, did you take this gun or any gun like it and shoot your son Paul in the chest in the FeedRoom at your Property off Moselle Road?” asked defense attorney Jim Griffin.

“No, I did not,” Murdaugh said.

“Mr. Murdaugh, did you take this gun or any gun like it and blow your son’s brains out on June 7 or any day or any time?” Griffin said.

“No, I did not,” Murdaugh said.

“Mr. Murdaugh, did you take a 300 blackout such as this and fire it into your wife Maggie’s leg, torso or any part of her body?” Griffin said.

“No, I did not,” Murdaugh said.

“Did you fire a 300 blackout into her head causing her death?” Griffin said.

“Mr. Griffin, I didn’t shoot my wife or my son any time,” Murdaugh said. “Ever.”

Murdaugh’s video at the dog kennel did place Murdaugh at the scene just before Maggie and Paul were killed, despite Murdaugh’s denial that he was there.

“Alex, why did you lie to agent Owen, Agent Croft and Deputy Rutland about the last time you saw Maggie and Paul?” asked Griffin.

“As my addiction evolved over time I would get in these situations or circumstances where I would get paranoid,” Murdaugh said. “My distrust for SLED caused me to have paranoid thoughts.”

“Normally, when these paranoid thoughts would hit me. I could take a deep breath — real quick — just think about it and reason my way through it and get past it really quickly. On June 7, I wasn’t thinking clearly. I don’t think I was capable of reason and I lied about being down there and I’m so sorry that I did,” Murdaugh said. “Most of all, I’m sorry to Maggs and Paw Paw (Paul). I would never intentionally do anything to hurt either one of them…ever.”

A Snapchat video showed Murdaugh with his son at the residence that evening.

“Were you and Paul having a good time at that point?” Griffin said.

“You could not be around him and not have a good time,” Murdaugh said.