"DATELINE" -
>> MR. MURDAUGH, ARE YOU A FAMILY ANNIHILATOR
>> A FAMILY ANNIHILATOR? YOU MEAN, LIKE, DID I SHOOT MY
WIFE AND MY SON? >> YES.
>> NO. >> Reporter: THE VERDICT IS IN
IN THE RIVETING TRIAL OF ALEX MURDAUGH.
GUILTY AS CHARGED. >> I SENTENCE YOU TO PRISON FOR
THE REST OF YOUR NATURAL LIFE. >> I BELIEVE THAT HE LOVED PAUL
AND MAGGIE BUT I BELIEVE THAT HE LOVED
HIMSELF MORE >> Reporter: NOW, REVEALING NEW
INTERVIEWS PROSECUTORS --
>> DO YOU THINK ALEX TESTIFYING ON HIS OWN BEHALF WAS A MISTAKE?
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> I KNEW THAT WE COULD EXPOSE
HIM FOR WHO HE TRULY WAS >> THE DEFENSE -
>> I THINK THIS JURY HAD MADE UP THEIR MIND ABOUT HIM BEING A
HORRIBLE PERSON. >> Reporter: CLOSE FRIENDS SPEAK
OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME >> MAGGIE WAS A GREAT PERSON
I STILL HEAR HER LAUGH >> HE LOOKED AT ME, AND SAID
"I'VE BEEN STEALING FROM MY CLIENTS AND I'VE DONE YOU WRONG
AND I'VE DONE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WRONG.
>> THIS IS A MAN WHO HAD A LOT TO LOSE.
>> THIS DEFENDANT HAS FOOLED EVERYONE
>> WHO WAS THIS PERSON
WE DON'T KNOW THIS PERSON. WHO WAS HE
>> Reporter: A TRIAL FULL OF TWISTS AND A STUNNER OF A
VERDICT! YOU WON'T BELIEVE THE LATEST IN
THE MIND-BENDING MYSTERY OF THE MURDAUGH FAMILY DYNASTY.
I'M LESTER HOLT, AND THIS IS "DATELINE.
* >> HERE'S CRAIG MELVIN WITH "THE
TRIAL OF ALEX MURDAUGH." *
>> ALEX! >> WHY DID YOU KILL YOUR WIFE
AND YOUR SON >> Reporter: IT TOOK 28 DAYS,
AND MORE THAN 70 WITNESSES >> YOUR HONOR, I WOULD LIKE TO
RESPOND. >> Reporter: THERE WERE
ARGUMENTS. >> THEY'VE GOT A WHOLE LOT MORE
EVIDENCE ABOUT FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT THAN THEY HAVE ABOUT
A MURDER >> IF YOU'RE IMPLYING THAT I
WOULD COME IN HERE AND SOMEHOW SHADE TRUTH IN ANY WAY BECAUSE
OF THAT, I WOULD TAKE HIGH OFFENSE WITH THAT,
MR. HARPOOTLIAN. >> I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR
HIGH OFFENSE ARE YOU ANGRY AT HIM FOR
STEALING YOUR MONEY? >> Reporter: AND TEARS
>> IT'S JUST SO BAD. -- DID IT SO BAD
>> Reporter: SECRETS EXPOSED >> HE LOOKED AT ME, STARTED TO
CRY, AND SAID, "I'M ADDICTED TO PAIN PRESCRIPTION PILLS, AND
IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR 20 YEARS."
>> Reporter: AND LIES REVEALED >> EFFORTLESSLY AND EASILY LIED
TO YOU FOR YEARS AND YOU DIDN'T KNOW IT
>> DIDN'T KNOW IT. AND DIDN'T CATCH IT.
>> HE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY AND PAY A LOT OF MONEY.
>> I HAVE LIED WELL OVER A DECADE
>> Reporter: IN A CASE FULL OF DRAMA.
>> LISTEN TO THAT GATHERING STORM THAT ALL CAME TO A HEAD ON
JUNE 7th, 2021, THE DAY THE EVIDENCE WILL SHOW HE KILLED
MAGGIE AND PAUL. >> Reporter: AND HEARTBREAK.
>> IT WAS HARD BECAUSE I KNEW SHE WASN'T GOING TO BE COMING
BACK >> NO MOTHER OR FATHER OR AUNT
OR UNCLE SHOULD EVER HAVE TO SEE AND DO WHAT I DID THAT DAY
>> ALEX, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO --
>> Reporter: AND NOW, IT'S OVER. ALEX MURDAUGH WILL NEVER SET
FOOT OUTSIDE A PRISON AGAIN. TONIGHT, WE'LL SHOW YOU WITH NEW
VIDEO, NEW INTERVIEWS. >> THIS CASE REALLY BOILED DOWN
TO THE BIG LIE VERSUS THE BIG WHY.
WHY WOULD HE DO IT >> Reporter: AND EXCLUSIVE NEW
DETAILS. WE'LL TAKE YOU INSIDE THE TRIAL
OF THE YEAR. >> OH, WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE
WEAVE. >> Reporter: TO HELP YOU
UNDERSTAND HOW A DECADE OF DECEIT STARTED TO UNRAVEL, UNTIL
IT LED TO TWO TRAGIC DEATHS. >> THEY ARE DEAD, AREN'T THEY?
>> YES, SIR. THAT'S WHAT THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS
LIKE >> Reporter: AND THE LIES
FINALLY CAME TO AN END >> I THINK THE JURY SAW HIS LIES
FOR WHAT THEY WERE, A TANGLED WEB, AS HE SAID.
ALEX MURDAUGH WAS HIS OWN WORST ENEMY.
>> Reporter: IT WAS JUNE 7th, 2021
A DARK NIGHT IN SOUTH CAROLINA'S LOW COUNTRY.
>> 911, WHAT'S YOUR EMERGENCY? >> THIS IS ALEX MURDAUGH
MY WIFE AND CHILD HAVE BEEN SHOT, BADLY.
>> Reporter: AT 10:07 P.M. A CALL CAME IN TO THE
COLLETON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY AT A REMOTE HOME OUTSIDE OF TOWN.
SERGEANT DANIEL GREENE WAS THE FIRST TO ARRIVE.
>> CENTRAL 717 SCENE IS SECURE.
HAVE A WHISKEY FOX WHISKEY MIKE, BOTH WITH GUNSHOT
WOUNDS TO THE HEAD >> Reporter: HIS BODY CAMERA
ROLLED >> SIR
I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW BECAUSE OF THE SCENE, I DO -- I DID GO
GET A GUN AND BRING IT DOWN HERE
>> OKAY. IT'S IN YOUR VEHICLE
DO YOU HAVE ANY GUNS ON YOU AT ALL?
>> NO, SIR IT'S LEANING UP AGAINST THE SIDE
OF MY CAR, SIR >> OKAY.
YOU'RE FINE, MAN YOU'RE FINE.
>> Reporter: GREENE CAME FACE TO FACE WITH THE CALLER,
ALEX MURDAUGH, RIGHT AWAY, NEAR A ROW OF DOG KENNELS
>> IT'S BAD. YOU CHECKED THEIR PULSES
>> YES, SIR. >> Reporter: THERE BY THE
KENNELS, MAGGIE MURDAUGH, 52, AND PAUL MURDAUGH, 22.
EACH HAD BEEN SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES, INCLUDING TO THEIR HEADS.
BEFORE GREENE COULD ASK ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, ALEX BEGAN
TALKING. >> THIS IS THE FIREARM YOU
BROUGHT FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE? >> YES, SIR.
YES, SIR I WENT TO -- THIS IS A LONG
STORY. MY SON WAS IN A BOAT WRECK A --
MONTHS BACK. >> Reporter: AND WHILE ALEX SAID
HE DIDN'T KNOW WHO COMMITTED THE MURDERS, HE SUGGESTED THE
MOTIVE, RETRIBUTION FOR A CRASH THAT KILLED A 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN
ON A BOAT PAUL MURDAUGH WAS SAID TO BE DRIVING.
>> HE'S BEEN GETTING THREATS MOST OF IT'S BEEN BENIGN STUFF
WE DIDN'T TAKE SERIOUS, YOU KNOW
HE'S BEEN GETTING, LIKE, PUNCHED.
I KNOW THAT SOMEBODY -- I KNOW THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
>> Reporter: MURDAUGH ALSO TOLD THE SERGEANT HE HAD GONE T
VISIT HIS MOTHER THAT NIGHT. >> WHEN DID YOU GET HOME
RIGHT -- RIGHT WHEN YOU CALLED OR DID YOU GO TO THE HOUSE
FIRST? WHERE IS THE HOUSE
>> I CAME TO THE HOUSE FIRST MY MOM HAS LATE STAGES
ALZHEIMER'S AND MY DAD IS IN THE HOSPITAL
>> OKAY. >> I LEFT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME I CAN GO BACK ON MY PHONE AND
TELL YOU THE EXACT TIMES >> Reporter: AS HE TOLD GREENE
ABOUT THE MOMENT HE FOUND HIS WIFE AND SON, HIS EMOTIONS
SPILLED OVER >> DID YOU CHECK THEM?
>> WE GOT MEDICAL GUYS THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO
DO OKAY
>> WHAT ARE THEY DOING CAN THEY HURRY
>> THEY ARE. YES, SIR
>> Reporter: ONCE THE EMTs ARRIVED, GREENE CONFIRMED ALEX'S
WORST FEARS. >> THEY'RE DEAD, AREN'T THEY
>> YES, SIR. THAT'S WHAT -- THAT'S WHAT IT
LOOKS LIKE >> Reporter: ALEX FRANTICALLY
CALLED HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND THEY STARTED ARRIVING, TOO
MEANWHILE, GREENE LEARNED THE CENTRAL FACT ABOUT THE MAN WHO'D
MADE THAT 911 CALL >> WHAT'S YOUR FIRST NAME, SIR
>> MY NAME IS ALEX, RICHARD ALEXANDER MURDAUGH
>> Reporter: MURDAUGH. THAT WAS A NAME KNOWN TO NEARLY
EVERYONE IN THE LOW COUNTRY. A NAME THAT MEANT POWER AND
INFLUENCE FOR GENERATIONS. AS MORE DEPUTIES ARRIVED, THEY
REALIZED THE GRAVITY OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED HERE AND JUST TO WHOM
IT HAPPENED. >> Y'ALL FAMILIAR WITH THIS
FAMILY >> YES
>> I WASN'T UNTIL HE TOLD ME THE NAMES.
LAST NAME, MURDAUGH. >> Reporter: THEN INVESTIGATORS
FROM S.L.E.D., THE SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT
DIVISION, ARRIVED. THEY WERE CRIME SCENE
SPECIALISTS, WHO SOON HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS FOR ALEX MURDAUGH
>> HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MAGGIE
>> VERY GOOD AS GOOD AS IT COULD POSSIBLY BE.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE HAD OUR ISSUES
>> Reporter: AND A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS FAMILY'S
SECLUDED PROPERTY OUT IN THE WOODS.
WHAT EXACTLY WAS GOING ON OUT
SUN ROSE ON JUNE 8, 2021, RESIDENTS OF TINY HAMPTON, SOUTH
CAROLINA, WERE PLAYING A GAME OF TELEPHONE.
>> KEEP IN MIND, HAMPTON COUNTY IS A SMALL TOWN, SMALL PLACE
YOU CAN'T -- YOUR GOSSIP TRAVELS FASTER THAN YOU DO
>> Reporter: JUST A FEW HOURS EARLIER, ONE OF THE TOWN'S MOST
PROMINENT FIGURES, ATTORNEY ALEX MURDAUGH, SAID HE HAD COME
HOME TO FIND HIS 52-YEAR-OLD WIFE MAGGIE AND 22-YEAR-OLD SON
PAUL, SHOT TO DEATH ON THE FAMILY'S SPRAWLING PROPERTY
KNOWN AS MOSELLE >> THEY ARE DEAD, AREN'T THEY?
>> YES, SIR. THAT'S WHAT THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS
LIKE >> Reporter: REPORTER
MICHAEL DEWITT WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HAMPTON.
HE'S WRITING TWO UPCOMING BOOKS ABOUT THE MURDAUGH FAMILY.
>> THAT NIGHT AND EARLY IN THE MORNING, THE PEOPLE IN THE
MURDAUGH CIRCLE FOUND OUT. THEY'RE GETTING PHONE CALLS.
THEY'RE GETTING TEXTS. "MAGGIE AND PAUL HAVE BEEN SHOT
AND KILLED." >> Reporter: AS THE NEWS SPREAD,
COLLETON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AND AGENTS FROM THE
SOUTH CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, OR S.L.E.D., CONTINUED
TO GATHER EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE. A FEW THINGS WERE CLEAR RIGHT
AWAY MAGGIE AND PAUL HAD BEEN SHOT AT
CLOSE RANGE, EACH WITH A DIFFERENT GUN.
>> IT WAS CLEAR AT THE SCENE THAT PAUL HAD BEEN SHOT TWICE
WITH THE SHOTGUN AND SHE HAD BEEN SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES WITH
THIS HIGH-POWERED RIFLE. >> Reporter: THAT SHOTGUN AND
RIFLE WERE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND BUT THERE WERE GUNS, A LOT OF
THEM, ON THE PROPERTY, WHICH WAS OFTEN USED FOR HUNTING
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HUNT. THE FACT THAT THE MURDAUGH
FAMILY HAD AT LEAST 27 GUNS IN THEIR FAMILY GUN ROOM IS NOT
SURPRISING >> Reporter: CHRIS WILSON, A
FRIEND OF THE MURDAUGH FAMILY, WHO IS SPEAKING ON TELEVISION
FOR THE FIRST TIME, WAS A REGULAR AT MOSELLE
>> JUST A VERY SOCIAL PLACE. THEY ALWAYS WELCOMED PEOPLE INTO
THEIR HOME >> Reporter: HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH
ALEX GOES BACK 35 YEARS. >> GREW UP IN TOWNS THAT WERE
CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. YOU KNOW, 30 MILES OR SO APART
PLAYED SOME BALL AGAINST EACH OTHER, AND THEN A LITTLE BIT OF
BALL WITH EACH OTHER >> Reporter: THE FRIENDS GREW
CLOSER IN LAW SCHOOL, AND BY THAT TIME, ALEX HAD MET MAGGIE
CHRIS WAS IN THEIR WEDDING PARTY.
>> THEY HAD A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP
ALEX DID WHAT HE NEEDED TO DO TO TAKE CARE OF THE THINGS THAT
MAGGIE NEEDED. AND MAGGIE DID WHAT SHE NEEDED
TO DO TO TAKE CARE OF THE THINGS THAT ALEX AND THE BOYS NEEDED.
>> Reporter: THE BOYS, BUSTER AND PAUL, BECAME MAGGIE'S WORLD,
ACCORDING TO CHRIS' WIFE DANA, ALSO SPEAKING HERE FOR THE FIRST
TIME >> WHEN SHE HAD BOYS, SHE
EMBRACED THAT ROLE AND WOULD FISH WITH THEM AND HUNT WITH
THEM AND SHE PROBABLY EVEN THREW BALL
IN THE YARD WITH THEM. BUT SHE WAS JUST SUCH A GREAT
BOY MOM. >> Reporter: MOSELLE WAS ONE OF
THREE PROPERTIES THE FAMILY OWNED, AND IT'S WHERE ALEX
TAUGHT HIS WIFE AND KIDS TO LOVE THE LIFESTYLE OF THE LOW
COUNTRY. >> WHAT DID MAGGIE EVER SAY
ABOUT HER LIFE AT MOSELLE? >> SHE LOVED BEING OUT THERE
IT WAS AWAY FROM EVERYBODY AND I MEAN, IT WAS JUST SUCH A
BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND SO QUIET >> Reporter: QUIET AND REMOTE.
IT WAS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR PAUL, TOO.
>> HE WAS ALWAYS OUTDOORS, AND SO GOOD AT IT, YOU KNOW?
SO GOOD AT TENDING THE LAND AND HUNTING, AND JUST BEING
OUTSIDE. >> IT WAS A GREAT PLACE.
1,700 OR SO ACRES. HOGS, TURKEY, DEER, DOVE, QUAIL.
A HUGE HOUSE THAT WOULD SLEEP AND WELCOME A NUMBER OF PEOPLE
>> THE MURDAUGHS WOULD HAVE EVENTS, GET-TOGETHERS AND YOU'D
ALWAYS FIND, WHO'S WHO OF ANYBODY THAT WAS SEEMINGLY
IMPORTANT IN THE COMMUNITY WAS ALWAYS THERE, LAW ENFORCEMENT,
THE MAYORS, WHOEVER. >> Reporter: BUT NOW THE
PROPERTY WAS THE SCENE OF A BLOODY HORROR.
S.L.E.D. SPECIAL AGENT DAVID OWEN WAS LEADING THE
INVESTIGATION. HE CLIMBED INTO A CAR WITH ALEX
TO ASK HIM SOME QUESTIONS. >> AND YOU GO BY ALEX?
>> YES, SIR. >> JUST START AT THE TOP
TAKE YOUR TIME >> Reporter: ALEX TOLD OWEN HE
HAD BEEN VISITING HIS MOTHER THAT NIGHT
HE DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED WHEN HE GOT HOME.
MAGGIE AND PAUL WERE NOT AT THE HOUSE, SO HE SAID HE WENT
LOOKING FOR THEM AT THE DOG KENNELS ON THE PROPERTY.
>> I MEAN, I PULLED UP AND I COULD SEE EM AND YOU KNOW, I
KNEW SOMETHING WAS BAD I RAN OUT AND -- I KNEW IT WAS
REALLY BAD MY -- MY BOY OVER THERE -- I
COULD SEE. IT WAS -
>> Reporter: OWEN ASKED IF THE FAMILY HAD HAD ANY ISSUES OF
LATE, AND ALEX REPEATED THE THEORY HE HAD GIVEN TO SERGEANT
GREENE EARLIER >> HAVE YOU ALL BEEN HAVING ANY
PROBLEMS OUT HERE? TRESPASSERS?
>> NONE THAT - >> PEOPLE BREAKING IN --
>> NONE THAT I KNOW OF THE ONLY THING -- WHAT COMES TO
MY MIND IS MY SON PAUL WAS IN A BOAT WRECK A COUPLE OF YEARS
AGO. AND THERE'S BEEN A -- YOU KNOW,
HE WAS CHARGED WITH BEING -- ARRESTED FOR BEING THE DRIVER.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF NEGATIVE PUBLICITY ABOUT THAT AND THERE'S
BEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE ONLINE JUST REALLY VILE STUFF.
>> Reporter: THAT 2019 BOAT WRECK HAD UPENDED THE LIVES OF
PAUL AND FOUR OF HIS FRIENDS AND CAUSED THE DEATH OF 19-YEAR-OLD
MALLORY BEACH. PAUL WAS INDICTED ON THREE
COUNTS OF BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, CAUSING DEATH AND
GREAT BODILY INJURY. HE FACED A MAXIMUM OF 55 YEARS
IN PRISON AND PLEADED NOT GUILTY, AND AWAITED TRIAL.
BUT NOW HE LAY DEAD ALONGSIDE HIS MOTHER ON THE FAMILY'S
BELOVED PROPERTY >> HE'S BEEN GETTING THREATS
>> Reporter: WAS ALEX RIGHT? WAS THIS THE ACT OF ULTIMATE
RETRIBUTION? >> HAS HE RECEIVED ANY DIRECT
THREATS RELATED TO THE BOAT ACCIDENT
>> Reporter: FROM ALMOST THE VERY MOMENT INVESTIGATORS
ARRIVED AT HIS COUNTRY HOME, ALEX MURDAUGH HAD BEEN TELLING
THEM THE MURDERS OF HIS WIFE AND SON HAD TO BE CONNECTED TO A
2019 BOAT CRASH THAT KILLED A 19-YEAR-OLD.
>> THIS IS A LONG STORY. MY SON WAS IN A BOAT WRECK
>> Reporter: THAT BOAT CRASH HAD TURNED THE LIVES OF ALEX'S
FAMILY, AND SEVERAL OTHER FAMILIES, UPSIDE DOWN.
>> 911 WHERE'S YOUR EMERGENCY
>> WE'RE IN A BOAT CRASH ON ARCHERS CREEK.
>> Reporter: IT HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF A FEBRUARY NIGHT AT
2:30 A.M SIX TEENAGERS, INCLUDING
PAUL MURDAUGH, WERE IN THE MURDAUGH'S MOTORBOAT IN A LOCAL
CREEK WHEN THE BOAT SPED UP AND SLAMMED INTO A BRIDGE PILING
ONE OF THE PASSENGERS, CONNOR COOK, MADE THE CALL
>> THERE'S SIX OF US, AND ONE IS MISSING.
>> MALLORY >> PLEASE SEND SOMEONE
>> I KNOW. WE'RE COMING
OKAY
>> Reporter: CONNOR AND SEVERAL OTHER PASSENGERS WERE RUSHED TO
THE HOSPITAL MARTY AND CHRISTINE COOK ARE
CONNOR'S PARENTS >> HOW DID YOU FIND OUT WHAT HAD
HAPPENED >> CONNOR CALLED
HE SAID, "DADDY, WE'VE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IN ARCHERS CREEK,
AND WE CAN'T FIND MALLORY. >> Reporter: 19-YEAR OLD
MALLORY BEACH WAS STILL MISSING IN THE DARK WATER.
PAUL MURDAUGH WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL, TOO.
HIS FATHER AND GRANDFATHER MET HIM THERE, AND ALEX REACHED OUT
TO THE COOKS, WHO WERE STILL ON THEIR WAY.
>> ALEX CALLING ME GOING ON AND ON ABOUT AN
ACCIDENT, AND THE GIRL WAS MISSING.
AND, CONNOR WAS DRIVING THE BOAT
>> Reporter: HE TOLD YOU "CONNOR WAS DRIVING"
>> YEAH. >> YES, HE DID
>> MULTIPLE TIMES HE CALLED TELLING --
>> Reporter: TO CHECK ON YOU, TO CHECK ON CONNOR --
>> NO, HELL NO TO TRYIN' TO GET THIS SCHEME
GOIN', TO TELLIN' US ABOUT HOW HE -
>> TO CONVINCE US THAT OUR SON WAS DRIVING THE BOAT
>> Reporter: THAT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO THE COOKS
PAUL USUALLY DROVE HIS FAMILY'S BOAT
THE COOKS ALSO SAY PAUL WAS A KNOWN TROUBLEMAKER AND THOUGHT
ALEX WAS WIELDING HIS CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE THAT
NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL TO KEEP HIM OUT OF TROUBLE
>> IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR HIM TO GET CONNOR OUT OF TROUBLE THAN
HIS SON. >> THAT WAS HIS EXACT WORDS, "I
CAN LOOK OUT FOR CONNOR BETTER THAN I CAN PAUL.
>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, ON ARCHER'S CREEK, THE SEARCH FOR
MALLORY BEACH WENT ON FOR A WEEK
>> CREWS ARE CONTINUING TO SEARCH FOR A FORMER USC STUDENT
WHO WENT MISSING OVER THE WEEKEND NEAR PARRIS ISLAND
>> Reporter: IT ENDED TRAGICALLY WHEN TWO VOLUNTEERS RECOVERED
MALLORY'S BODY >> YOU KNOW, THERE WERE SO MANY
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS NOT TO HAVE HAPPENED.
>> Reporter: ATTORNEY MARK TINSLEY FILED A WRONGFUL
DEATH SUIT ON THE BEACH FAMILY'S BEHALF
>> THEY WANTED TO HOLD ALL THOSE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR HER DEATH
ACCOUNTABLE. BUT MORE THAN THAT, THEY WANTED
TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE'S CHILD
>> Reporter: THE SUIT NAMED ALEX, WHO OWNED THE BOAT, ALONG
WITH SEVERAL OTHERS. AND WHY NAME ALEX MURDAUGH IN
THAT >> WHEN YOU PROMOTE A CERTAIN
KIND OF BEHAVIOR, WHEN YOU CONDONE THE SORTS OF THINGS THAT
PAUL DID FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME AND WITHOUT ANY CONSEQUENCES,
HE BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED
>> Reporter: TINSLEY REQUESTED ALEX'S FINANCIAL RECORDS AS PART
OF THE SUIT. >> WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE
>> JUST AN OBJECTION, A REFUSAL. >> Reporter: IN FACT, TINSLEY
SAID ALEX TOLD HIM HE WAS BROKE. TINSLEY DIDN'T BELIEVE IT.
>> HE'S MAKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR
A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR AT LEAST, EVERY YEAR.
WHY WOULD HE HAVE NO MONEY HE COMES FROM MONEY.
>> Reporter: THE IMPASSE DRAGGED ON UNTIL EARLY SUMMER, 2021.
FINALLY, MORE THAN TWO YEARS AFTER MALLORY'S DEATH, THEY WERE
SCHEDULED TO APPEAR AT A HEARING WHERE ALEX WOULD LIKELY BE
COMPELLED TO TURN OVER HIS FINANCIAL RECORDS.
THEN, JUNE 7, 2021, JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE THAT HEARING, THE
UNTHINKABLE HAPPENED >> I GET A CALL ABOUT 11:30 THAT
MONDAY NIGHT THAT PAUL AND MAGGIE HAD BEEN MURDERED
>> Reporter: NOW INVESTIGATORS HAD TO FIND OUT IF THE BOAT
CRASH HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THOSE MURDERS, EVEN AS THEY
SEEMED TO BE LOSING CONTROL OF A CRIME SCENE THAT WAS BEING
OVERRUN BY ALEX'S FRIENDS AND
MURDAUGH FAMILY RETREAT THAT WAS KNOWN FOR PARTIES AND
RECREATION, HAD BECOME A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAME TO GRIEVE AND
OFFER SUPPORT TO ALEX MURDAUGH AND HIS REMAINING SON,
25-YEAR-OLD BUSTER ALEX'S FRIEND CHRIS WILSON WAS
ONE OF THEM. WHEN YOU GOT THERE, WHAT DID YOU
FIND >> WHEN I GOT THERE, PULLED INTO
THE MAIN GATE, WAS KINDA HEADED UP THE DRIVEWAY TOWARDS THE MAIN
HOUSE, SAW A LOT OF LIGHTS AND PEOPLE
I COULD TELL THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMOTION GOIN' ON DOWN AT THE
KENNELS, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER
PEOPLE >> ALEX WAS THERE.
I WALKED OVER AND HUGGED HIS NECK, AND WE CRIED
HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHIN' HE WAS WHIMPING AND CRYING AND
SEEMED DESTROYED WE HUGGED, WAS JUST THERE.
I MEAN, I WAS TRYING TO BE THERE FOR A FREIEND THAT, YOU KNOW,
DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO FOR HIM DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
JUST WANTED TO BE THERE. >> Reporter: BUT SOME OF ALEX'S
FRIENDS AND LAWYERS OFFERED MORE THAN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 8th, THE DAY AFTER THE MURDERS, THEY
HELPED INVESTIGATORS SEARCH THE HOUSE.
>> HOW YOU DOING, SIR? >> Reporter: EVEN AS
INVESTIGATORS COLLECTED POSSIBLE EVIDENCE FROM THE GUN ROOM AT
MOSELLE, AS WELL AS SHELL CASINGS FOUND ON THE STEPS OF
THE HOUSE, IT WAS CLEAR THE MURDAUGH FAMILY HELD A CERTAIN
STATUS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. >> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LAWYERS
AND FRIENDS, INCLUDING CHRIS WILSON, WHO ARE KIND OF
CIRCLED UP IN THE GUN ROOM AT MOSELLE, WHICH WAS, LIKE, YOU
KNOW -- THERE'S A POOL TABLE IN THE MIDDLE
THERE'S SOME COUCHES IT'S A HANGOUT SPOT IN THE
HOUSE. AND YOU CAN SEE THEM SITTING
THERE, YOU KNOW, TALKING AND, YOU KNOW, HAVING -- THEY HAVE A
RED SOLO CUP WITH A DRINK IN IT, JUST, YOU KNOW, PRESENT AT NOT
THE IMMEDIATE CRIME SCENE, BUT AT THE HOME, YOU KNOW, ADJACENT
TO THE CRIME SCENE >> Reporter: SOME QUESTIONED WHY
THE HOUSE WASN'T CORDONED OFF AS A CRIME SCENE LIKE THE KENNELS
WERE >> THEY BASICALLY ALLOWED THE
FAMILY AND ALL THESE ATTORNEYS FROM THE LAW FIRM TO JUST MOVE
OVER THERE AND SET UP AND CONSOLE THE GRIEVING ALEX,
CONSOLE THE FAMILY >> Reporter: WHILE SOME
INVESTIGATORS SEARCHED THE HOME AND PROPERTY, OTHERS WERE
LOOKING INTO ALEX'S THEORY ABOUT THE 2019 BOAT CRASH.
THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHERE THE SURVIVING PASSENGERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES WERE ON THE NIGHT OF THE MURDERS.
THAT MEANT CONNOR COOK AND HIS PARENTS, MARTY AND CHRISTINE
WHEN YOU HEARD, WHAT'D YOU THINK?
>> MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS, "THANK GOD CONNOR WAS HOME WITH ME.
>> Reporter: DID THEY QUESTION HIM?
>> OF COURSE THEY QUESTIONED ME
>> Reporter: THEY QUESTIONED YOU?
>> I WAS HIS WITNESS THAT HE, YOU KNOW, GOT HOME FROM WORK,
AND HE NEVER LEFT THE HOUSE. >> THEY QUESTIONED EVERY
PASSENGER IN THAT BOAT >> Reporter: BUT DESPITE ALEX'S
THEORY, IT APPEARED NO ONE INVOLVED IN THE BOAT CRASH WAS
NEAR MOSELLE ON THE NIGHT MAGGIE AND PAUL WERE GUNNED DOWN.
>> THEY DID, YOU KNOW -- GOT AN ALIBI FROM EVERYONE.
AND I THINK THEY QUICK -- FAIRLY QUICKLY ELIMINATED THE BOAT
CRASH PASSENGERS AS POSSIBLE SUSPECTS
>> Reporter: STILL, THE BOAT CRASH AND THE BEACH FAMILY'S
CIVIL SUIT AGAINST HIM WERE NEVER FAR FROM ALEX'S MIND
IN ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITH S.L.E.D. AGENT DAVID OWEN THREE
DAYS AFTER THE MURDERS, OWEN ASKED ALEX TO TAKE HIM THROUGH
HOW HE SPENT THAT FATEFUL DAY. ALEX MENTIONED THE UPCOMING
HEARING WHERE HE WAS LIKELY TO BE FORCED TO TURN OVER FINANCIAL
RECORDS. >> I'M A DEFENDANT IN A CIVIL
CASE INVOLVING MY SON. I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE BOAT WRECK.
>> YES, SIR. >> AND THERE WERE SOME MOTIONS
COMING UP IN THAT ON THURSDAY, AND I WAS MOSTLY JUST GETTING
READY FOR THOSE THINGS AND THEN OTHER JUNK
>> Reporter: ALEX ALSO GAVE OWEN MORE DETAILS ABOUT HIS
WHEREABOUTS THAT NIGHT AFTER WORK, HE SAID HE CAME HOME
AND RODE AROUND THE PROPERTY WITH PAUL.
PAUL CAN BE HEARD LAUGHING ON THIS VIDEO FROM THAT EVENING AS
THE TWO WATCHED A TREE BEND. THEN THEY WENT HOME TO EAT
>> MAGGIE HAD GOTTEN HOME AND, YOU KNOW, WE SAT DOWN AND WE ATE
SUPPER, WHICH -- WE USUALLY ATE SUPPER TOGETHER.
>> Reporter: AFTER DINNER, ALEX SAID MAGGIE WENT TO CHECK ON THE
KENNELS, AND PAUL WAS OUTSIDE, TOO.
>> I STAYED IN THE HOUSE >> OKAY.
>> AND I WAS WATCHING TV, LOOKING AT MY PHONE, AND I
ACTUALLY FELL ASLEEP ON THE COUCH.
>> Reporter: ALEX TOLD OWEN HE LEFT TO VISIT HIS MOM AFTER HE
WOKE UP A LITTLE AFTER 9:00 P.M. SHE LIVED ABOUT 20 MINUTES AWAY,
AND ALEX SAID HE STAYED THERE FOR A WHILE BEFORE HE RETURNED
HOME A LITTLE AFTER 10:00 P.M. PAUL AND MAGGIE WEREN'T THERE,
HE SAID, SO HE DROVE AROUND THE PROPERTY
HE FOUND THEM LIFELESS AT THE KENNELS AND DIALED 911
ONCE AGAIN, HE GOT EMOTIONAL ABOUT THE MOMENT HE DISCOVERED
HIS WIFE AND SON >> I KNOW IT'S HARD, AND SITTING
HERE TALKING TODAY IS TOUGH. >> IT'S JUST SO BAD.
THEY DID IT SO BAD SUCH A GOOD BOY, TOO
I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD
>> Reporter: AFTER THAT SECOND INTERVIEW WITH SPECIAL AGENT
OWEN ENDED, ALEX GOT MORE BAD NEWS
THIS TIME ABOUT HIS FATHER RANDOLPH, WHO HAD BEEN SICK.
>> ON JUNE THE 10th, THERE'S ALL THIS INCREDIBLE ACTIVITY GOING
ON IN THE BACKGROUND TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, FIGURE OUT WHAT
HAPPENED TO MAGGIE AND PAUL. AND HIS FATHER, RANDOLPH III,
COMES OVER TO KIND OF HUDDLE UP WITH THE LAWYERS AND THE FAMILY.
AND THEN GOES BACK HOME AND DIES JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS AFTER
THAT INTERVIEW SO IT REALLY IS STUNNING TO
THINK THAT ONE OF HIS LAST ACTS WAS TO COME AND HELP, IF NOT
STRATEGIZE, AT LEAST COMFORT, YOU KNOW, HIS SON AT THAT TIME
>> Reporter: THAT WEEKEND, THE FAMILY BURIED MAGGIE, PAUL, AND
RANDOLPH >> A COMMUNITY GATHERING TO
REMEMBER A MOTHER AND SON KILLED IN THE LOW COUNTRY
>> Reporter: ON JUNE 25th, TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AFTER THE
MURDERS, ALEX AND BUSTER PUT OUT A STATEMENT.
THEY ASKED FOR HELP TO BRING JUSTICE TO MAGGIE AND PAUL AND
OFFERED A $100,000 REWARD. BY ALL APPEARANCES, ALEX SEEMED
TO BE A GRIEVING FATHER AND HUSBAND.
BUT THAT SUMMER WAS ABOUT TO UNRAVEL ALEX'S WORLD AND MAKE SO
MANY QUESTION IF THEY EVER REALLY KNEW HIM.
>> HE ASKED ME TO WRITE THE CHECKS TO PAY THE FEES ON THE
CASE THAT WOULD'VE BEEN PAYABLE TO HIS FIRM DIRECTLY TO HIM.
>> Reporter: HAD YOU WRITTEN HIM CHECKS LIKE THAT BEFORE?
>> NO.
2021 WAS A TIME OF GRIEF AND CONFUSION FOR THE MURDAUGH
FAMILY CHRIS WILSON DID HIS BEST TO BE
THERE FOR ALEX, HIS FRIEND OF MORE THAN THREE DECADES.
>> I MEAN, THE GUY SEEMED DESTROYED TO ME.
NOT EATING DIDN'T SEEM TO BE SLEEPING
DIDN'T GO BACK TO MOSELLE TO SPEND ANOTHER NIGHT THAT I KNOW
OF >> Reporter: IT WAS QUITE A
CONTRAST FROM THEIR LAST HAPPY TIME TOGETHER.
ALEX HAD CELEBRATED HIS BIRTHDAY JUST ONE WEEK BEFORE THE
MURDERS. THAT'S CHRIS GIVING HIM A BEAR
HUG. >> EVERYBODY WAS HAVING A GOOD
TIME THAT NIGHT. IT WAS MAGGIE, PAUL, BUSTER, MY
WIFE, MY FAMILY, A NUMBER OF THEIR FRIENDS, AND WE HAD HAD A
GOOD TIME TOGETHER >> Reporter: ALEX AND CHRIS WERE
LAWYERS IN NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, AND SOMETIMES TOOK ON CASES
TOGETHER TO BETTER SERVE THEIR CLIENTS.
AND THERE WAS A RELATIONSHIP O MUTUAL BENEFIT
>> YES WELL, AT THE END OF THE DAY,
IT'S NOT THE MUTUAL BENEFIT FOR ME OR ALEX OR ME AND HIS FIRM.
I DO WHAT'S NECESSARY TO BENEFIT MY CLIENT.
AND IF I CAN BRING IN ANOTHER LAW FIRM THAT CAN BENEFIT MY
CLIENT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.
>> Reporter: BUT CHRIS WOULD SOON DISCOVER HIS APPARENTLY
WEALTHY FRIEND WAS HIDING SOME SECRETS.
IN THE SPRING OF 2021, ALEX WAS FACING MOUNTING PRESSURE TO TURN
OVER HIS FINANCIAL RECORDS TO MARK TINSLEY FOR THE 2019 BOAT
CRASH LAWSUIT. AROUND THAT TIME, CHRIS SAYS
ALEX ASKED HIM TO DO SOMETHING UNUSUAL.
>> ALEX ASKED ME TO WRITE THE CHECKS FOR THE FEES DIRECTLY TO
HIM INSTEAD OF TO HIS FIRM, WHICH I DID IN MARCH OF 2021
HE TOLD ME HE HAD AUTHORITY AND APPROVAL FROM HIS FIRM
>> Reporter: AND YOU HAD NO REASON NOT TO BELIEVE HIM.
>> I DIDN'T HAVE ANY REASON NOT TO TRUST THE GUY
I MEAN, WE HAD BEEN DEALING WITH EACH OTHER, BUSINESS AND
PROFESSIONAL, FOR 30 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER
>> Reporter: BUT A FEW MONTHS LATER, ALEX CHANGED HIS MIND
>> HE CONTACTED ME AND SAID, "THE FEES CAN'T BE PAID TO ME
THIS WAY THEY HAVE TO BE PAID DIRECTLY TO
MY FIRM. HE WAS SUPPOSED TO SEND ME
$792,000 BACK, THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT I HAD PAID HIM
>> Reporter: CHRIS SAID ALEX ONLY SENT BACK $600,000.
>> I HAD TO PUT $192,000 OF MY OWN MONEY INTO MY ACCOUNT TO
HAVE THAT MONEY AVAILABLE TO PAY THE WAY THAT IT SHOULD'VE BEEN
PAID HAD IT BEEN DONE THE RIGHT WAY.
>> Reporter: WHAT CHRIS DIDN'T KNOW WAS THAT HE WASN'T THE ONLY
ONE GETTING SUSPICIOUS OF ALEX MURDAUGH'S LAW FIRM HAD QUIETLY
STARTED AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION AND FOUND SEVERAL
MISSING PAYMENTS RELATED TO HIS CASES.
ON JUNE 7th, THE CFO CONFRONTED ALEX ABOUT IT.
THAT NIGHT, MAGGIE AND PAUL WERE KILLED
>> Reporter: AFTER THAT, NO ONE WAS ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT
MISSING FEES THEY WERE DOING THEIR BEST TO
SURROUND ALEX WITH SUPPORT EVEN MARK TINSLEY PAUSED HIS
CIVIL CASE IN THE WAKE OF MAGGIE AND PAUL'S MURDERS, HE THOUGHT
MAYBE FOR GOOD >> IF ALEX IS THE VICTIM OF SOME
VIGILANTE -- THE BOAT CRASH PROBABLY, AS IT RELATES TO HIM,
WOULD'VE BEEN OVER >> Reporter: BUT THEN TINSLEY
NOTICED ANOTHER LAWSUIT RELATED TO ALEX HAD SETTLED.
IT WAS THE CASE OF HIS LONGTIME HOUSEKEEPER GLORIA SATTERFIELD,
WHO DIED AFTER A FALL AT MOSELLE IN 2018.
THE SETTLEMENT SEEMED SUSPICIOUSLY SMALL
>> THE FACT THAT SHE DIED, HER AGE, HOW LONG SHE LIVED, THE
CASE WAS WORTH A LOT MORE THAN $505,000, WHICH WAS THE ONLY
THING REPORTED IN TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT
>> Reporter: HE WAS RIGHT. GLORIA'S FAMILY SHOULD'VE GOTTEN
OVER $4 MILLION. ALEX AND TWO CO-CONSPIRATORS
DIDN'T TELL THE FAMILY THAT AND KEPT MOST OF THE MONEY FOR
THEMSELVES AND ONCE THAT CASE BECAME
PUBLIC, OTHER ALLEGATIONS SURFACED ABOUT ALEX STEALING
MONEY FROM CLIENTS FOR YEARS THE ALLEGATIONS WERE A BOMBSHELL
FOR THE LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO'D CIRCLED THEIR WAGONS
AROUND ALEX ALL SUMMER IN SEPTEMBER, CHRIS WILSON HEARD
ABOUT THOSE ALLEGATIONS, AND HE WAS SHOCKED.
>> I TOLD HIM THAT I NEEDED TO SPEAK TO HIM, AND I WANTED IT TO
BE FACE-TO-FACE. >> Reporter: THAT CONVERSATION
WAS TENSE. >> I LOOKED AT HIM AND I SAID,
"ALEX, I NEED TO KNOW WHAT --" I'M SURE I USED A CURSE WORD
I SAID, "I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON."
AND HE LOOKED AT ME, STARTED TO CRY, AND SAID, "I CAN'T RIGHT
THIS SECOND. WALKED INSIDE, GRABBED SOME
PAPER TOWELS, CAME BACK OUT, DRIED HIS EYES OFF
AND SAID, "LOOK, I'VE BEEN HAVING -- I'VE GOT A DRUG
ADDICTION. I'M ADDICTED TO PAIN
PRESCRIPTION PILLS, AND IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR 20 YEARS
AND I'VE BEEN STEALING FROM MY CLIENTS, AND I'VE BEEN STEALIN
FROM MY FIRM, AND I'VE DONE YOU WRONG, AND I'VE DONE A NUMBER OF
PEOPLE WRONG." >> Reporter: WILSON LEFT THE
MEETING FURIOUS, BUT ALSO WORRIED ABOUT HIS FRIEND
AND HE WAS RIGHT TO WORRY BECAUSE JUST A SHORT WHILE
LATER -- >> I'M ON MY RIDE BACK TO
COLUMBIA, AND I GOT A PHONE CALL
AND TOLD ME THAT ALEX HAD BEEN SHOT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
>> Reporter: ALEX MURDAUGH DIALED 911 AGAIN
>> OKAY. WHAT'S GOING ON?
>> I --I GOT A FLAT TIRE, AND I STOPPED.
AND SOMEBODY STOPPED TO HELP ME. AND WHEN I TURNED MY BACK, THEY
TRIED TO SHOOT ME. >> Reporter: ALEX WAS ON THE
SIDE OF THIS COUNTRY ROAD WHEN HE CLAIMED THE SHOOTING
HAPPENED >> DID THEY ACTUALLY SHOOT YOU,
OR THEY TRIED TO SHOOT YOU >> THEY SHOT ME, AND I'M
BLEEDING A LOT >> Reporter: WHEN YOU HEAR
ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THERE, WHAT WAS
YOUR INITIAL THOUGHT >> THOUGHT HE'D TRIED TO KILL
HIMSELF. >> Reporter: ALEX WAS AIRLIFTED
TO A GEORGIA HOSPITAL WITH A FRACTURED SKULL AND A MINOR
BRAIN BLEED. BUT ONE WEEK LATER, HE CONFESSED
THAT HE'D MADE UP THE WHOLE THING.
IT WAS A FAILED ATTEMPT TO GET LIFE INSURANCE MONEY FOR HIS
SON, BUSTER. HE ALSO ADMITTED PUBLICLY TO
THAT 20-YEAR OPIOID ADDICTION AND PROMPTLY ENTERED REHAB
ALEX SEEMED TO BE SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL
HE WAS FIRED BY THE LAW FIRM, AND HE WAS FACING CHARGES
RELATED TO BOTH THE BOTCHED SUICIDE ATTEMPT AND THE
INSURANCE FRAUD OF HIS LONGTIME HOUSEKEEPER.
DURING THAT TUMULTUOUS SUMMER, ALEX AND HIS LAWYER ALSO HAD AN
OMINOUS MEETING WITH S.L.E.D. SPECIAL AGENT DAVID OWEN ABOUT
THE STATUS OF THE MURDER INVESTIGATION.
>> EVERYBODY STAYS IN THAT INVESTIGATION UNTIL WE CAN GET
THEM OUT AND RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE OF THE
QUESTIONS I HAVE, THAT I NEED EXPLANATIONS FOR, I CANNOT GET
ALEX OUT >> SO DOES THAT MEAN THAT I AM A
SUSPECT? >> YOU ARE STILL IN THIS WITH
EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT -- WITH THE FAMILY GUNS,
THE AMMUNITION, NOBODY ELSE'S DNA.
I HAVE TO PUT MY BELIEFS ASIDE AND GO WITH THE FACTS.
>> Reporter: IN OCTOBER 2021, ALEX WAS ARRAIGNED FOR SOME OF
HIS ALLEGED FINANCIAL CRIMES THE WILSONS NO LONGER RECOGNIZED
THE MAN THEY CONSIDERED FAMILY >> WE DIDN'T WANT TO BELIEVE IT.
MORE CAME OUT, KEPT COMING OUT MORE IS STILL COMING OUT
PROBABLY I MEAN, IT'S JUST -- WHO IS THIS
PERSON I DON'T KNOW THIS PERSON
WHO WAS HE >> Reporter: THE WORLD WAS ABOUT
TO FIND OUT. >> WHAT SAY YOU, RICHARD ALEX
MURDAUGH ARE YOU GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY OF
THE FELONIES WHEREIN YOU STAND INDICTED
>> Reporter: AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR OF SPECULATION AND
QUESTIONS INVESTIGATORS APPEAR READY TO NAME ALEX MURDAUGH AS
THE KILLER OF HIS WIFE, MAGGIE, AND SON, PAUL.
>> Reporter: ON JULY 14, 2022, IT HAPPENED.
ALEX MURDAUGH WAS INDICTED FOR KILLING HIS WIFE AND SON
HE PLEADED NOT GUILTY. >> HOW SHALL YOU BE TRIED?
>> BY GOD AND MY COUNTRY >> Reporter: THE TRIAL WAS
SCHEDULED SURPRISINGLY QUICKLY ON JANUARY 23rd, 2023 THE
COLLETON COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN TINY WALTERBORO, SOUTH CAROLINA,
FELT LIKE THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE
>> AN INVASION >> Reporter: A NATION, NOW
HOOKED ON THE SPECTACLE, WAS GREEDY FOR EVERY TURN, EVERY
TWIST TO COME. THE TRIAL WAS GOING TO BE LIVE
STREAMED BUT SPECTATORS WERE OUT AT DAWN
ANYWAY, LINING UP FOR A COURTROOM PASS
FOOD TRUCKS SERVED BREAKFAST AND REPORTERS?
THE PLACE WAS CRAWLING WITH THEM
>> YOU WILL FIND EVERY MAJOR TV NETWORK.
"THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS HERE "THE WASHINGTON POST."
"THE WALL STREET JOURNAL." >> Reporter: ALEX MURDAUGH
ARRIVED IN AN UNMARKED VAN AT THE COURT'S BACK DOOR.
STRAIGHT FROM THE JAIL CELL WHERE HE'S SPENT MORE THAN A
YEAR, DRESSED IN BUSINESS CASUAL, A JACKET DRAPED OVER HIS
HANDCUFFS. >> ALEX, WHY DID YOU KILL YOUR
WIFE AND YOUR SON? >> Reporter: GENERATIONS OF
MURDAUGHS HAVE TRIED CASES HERE. IN FACT, A MURDAUGH FAMILY
PORTRAIT WAS TAKEN DOWN ON THE JUDGE'S ORDERS BEFORE OPENING
ARGUMENTS BEGAN. >> LISTEN TO THAT GATHERING
STORM THAT ALL CAME TO A HEAD ON JUNE 7, 2021
THE DAY THE EVIDENCE WILL SHOW HE KILLED MAGGIE AND PAUL.
>> Reporter: LEAD PROSECUTOR CREIGHTON WATERS, A 24-YEAR
VETERAN OF THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, OPENED WITH
THE PROSECUTION'S VERSION OF HOW THE MURDERS HAPPENED
>> THE DEFENDANT OVER THERE, ALEX MURDAUGH, TOOK A 12 GAUGE
SHOTGUN AND SHOT HIM IN THE SHOULDER
>> Reporter: PAUL MURDAUGH WAS SHOT FIRST
>> BUT AFTER THAT ANOTHER SHOT WENT UP UNDER HIS HEAD AND DID
CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE. >> Reporter: THEN, WATERS TOLD
THE JURY, ALEX PICKED UP AN AR-STYLE RIFLE AND TURNED IT ON
HIS WIFE, MAGGIE >> WOW, WOW.
TWO SHOTS. ABDOMEN AND THE LEG AND TOOK HER
DOWN >> I'VE GOT MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS --
>> Reporter: TWO VICTIMS, SHOT AT CLOSE RANGE
THE SCENE BLOODY. HORRIFIC AND, THE PROSECUTION SAID, A
PILE OF EVIDENCE POINTING TO ALEX MURDAUGH AS THE KILLER.
THE MOTIVE HE WAS TRYING TO DEFLECT
ATTENTION FROM HIS STORM OF TROUBLES
>> YOU'RE GOING TO REACH THE INESCAPABLE CONCLUSION THAT ALEX
MURDERED MAGGIE AND PAUL, THAT HE WAS THE STORM, THAT THE STORM
WAS COMING FOR THEM AND THAT THEY DIED AS A RESULT.
>> Reporter: ALEX LISTENED AT THE DEFENSE TABLE, FAMILY
MEMBERS BEHIND HIM, INCLUDING HIS REMAINING SON, BUSTER.
>> IT IS OUR HONOR TO REPRESENT ALEX MURDAUGH.
>> Reporter: DICK HARPOOTLIAN, LEAD DEFENSE ATTORNEY, A MEMBER
OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE WITH DECADES OF LAWYERING BEHIND
HIM. >> I SUBMIT TO YOU, WHAT YOU
HAVE HEARD FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS FACTS ARE NOT
ALEX STAND UP. THIS IS ALEX MURDAUGH, AND ALEX
WAS THE LOVING FATHER OF PAUL AND THE LOVING HUSBAND OF
MAGGIE >> Reporter: THE FACTS WERE ON
HIS CLIENT'S SIDE, HE TOLD THE JURY
THERE WAS NO DIRECT EVIDENCE TYING ALEX TO THE MURDERS.
>> HE DIDN'T DO IT HE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT.
>> Reporter: NEXT MORNING, THE PROSECUTION CALLED ITS FIRST
WITNESS. SERGEANT DANIEL GREENE OF THE
COLLETON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS THE FIRST TO RESPOND TO THE
MURDER SCENE >> THEY ARE DEAD, AREN'T THEY?
>> Reporter: THE PROSECUTOR USED GREENE'S BODY CAM FOOTAGE AND
TESTIMONY TO EXAMINE ALEX'S BEHAVIOR THAT NIGHT.
GREENE DIDN'T QUITE BUY THE SEEMINGLY DISTRAUGHT MAN HE
ENCOUNTERED. >> HE WAS ABLE TO ANSWER OF THE
QUESTIONS THAT I ASKED HIM >> WAS HE PANICKING IN ANY WAY
>> HE SEEMED UPSET BUT I WOULDN'T SAY PANICKY
>> DID YOU EVER SEE HIM- ANY TEARS ANY PHYSICAL TEARS
>> I DID NOT >> Reporter: THE PROSECUTOR SAID
ALEX IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO DIVERT ATTENTION TO OTHER SUSPECTS.
>> MY SON WAS IN A BOAT WRECK. >> Reporter: CASTING SUSPICION
ON HOW HE POINTED TO PAUL'S BOAT CRASH AS A POSSIBLE MOTIVE FOR A
REVENGE KILLING. >> WHO BROUGHT UP THE BOAT
INCIDENT >> MR. MURDAUGH DID.
>> HE OFFERED THAT RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE AS A POSSIBLE
EXPLANATION OF WHAT HAPPENED HERE
IS THAT RIGHT? >> YES
>> Reporter: PROSECUTORS WENT ON TO ATTACK ALEX'S ALIBI
REMEMBER, ALEX TOLD EVERYONE HE HAD A NAP AFTER DINNER WHILE
PAUL AND MAGGIE WENT DOWN TO THE KENNELS.
ALEX INSISTED HE DID NOT GO WITH THEM
>> I WAS AT THE HOUSE. I LEFT THE HOUSE AND WENT TO MY
MOM'S. >> Reporter: BUT PROSECUTORS
UNVEILED AN EXPLOSIVE EXHIBIT THAT WOULD GUT ALEX'S ALIBI, A
VIDEO THAT HAD BEEN DISCOVERED ON PAUL'S CELLPHONE, RECORDED AT
THE KENNELS AT 8:44 P.M., WHEN ALEX SAID HE WAS NAPPING AT THE
HOUSE, AND JUST MINUTES BEFORE PROSECUTORS SAY, PAUL AND MAGGIE
WERE SHOT. >> GET BACK.
GET BACK >> Reporter: JURORS WERE TOLD TO
FOCUS ON THE VOICES NOT THE PICTURES
PAUL IS HEARD CALLING TO THIS DOG NAMED CASH
>> SIT, CASH, SIT. >> AND THEN MAGGIE.
>> HE'S GOT A BIRD IN HIS MOUTH. >> Reporter: AND A THIRD VOICE.
>> COME HERE, BUBBA. >> Reporter: A MAN'S VOICE
SAYING COME HERE TO BUBBA. HALF A DOZEN WITNESSES WERE
ASKED TO IDENTIFY THE VOICES ON THAT VIDEO AND THE ANSWER WAS
ALWAYS THE SAME. >> WHOSE VOICES DID YOU
RECOGNIZE ON THAT VIDEO? >> PAUL MURDAUGH, MAG MURDAUGH
AND ALEX MURDAUGH. >> PAUL AND MISS MAGGIE AND MR.
ALEX. >> Reporter: IT WAS A MAJOR BLOW
TO ALEX'S DEFENSE BUT HARDLY THE LAST
THE PROSECUTION HAD MORE SURPRISES UP ITS SLEEVE.
>>> DISTURBING NEW DETAILS COMING TO LIGHT IN THE
ALEX MURDAUGH MURDER TRIAL KILLING HIS WIFE AND SON
>> Reporter: AS ONE OF THE MOST INFAMOUS TRIALS IN SOUTH
CAROLINA'S HISTORY PLAYED OUT ON THE NATION'S SCREENS, THE
PROSECUTION WAS UNDER A SPOTLIGHT.
>> THIS HAS BEEN A LONG, EXHAUSTIVE INVESTIGATION
>> Reporter: NO WONDER THE STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL,
ALAN WILSON, WAS A NEAR-CONSTANT PRESENCE AT THEIR TABLE.
JOURNALIST MICHAEL DEWITT. >> I'M HALF A CENTURY OLD, AND
THERE'S NEVER BEEN A CASE LIKE THIS IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS
>> COME HERE, BUBBA. >> Reporter: THE PROSECUTION HAD
UNDERMINED ALEX'S ALIBI WITH THAT VIDEO AT THE KENNELS.
NOW THEY TRIED TO POKE HOLES IN THE REST OF HIS STORY.
REMEMBER, ALEX SAID HE'D NAPPED AFTER DINNER, THEN WENT TO VISIT
HIS MOTHER >> WE NOW CALL MISS
MICHELLE SMITH TO THE STAND. >> Reporter: SHELLEY SMITH WAS
ALEX'S MOTHER'S CAREGIVER. SHE WAS THERE WHEN HE ARRIVED AT
HIS MOTHER'S HOUSE ABOUT 9:20, AN UNUSUAL HOUR FOR HIM TO STOP
BY, SHE SAID >> LIKE HE WAS FIDGETY, LIKE -
>> FIDGETY >> YES
>> THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SAYING DID HE TALK TO HIS MOTHER?
>> MMM-HMM, SHE WAS ASLEEP, YES. >> SHE WAS ASLEEP?
>> MMM-HMM >> Reporter: SHE SAID HE LEFT
AFTER 15 OR 20 MINUTES >> DID SHE EVEN KNOW THAT HE WAS
THERE? >> NO.
>> Reporter: SMITH SAW ALEX AGAIN THE NEXT WEEK.
SHE TESTIFIED THEY HAD AN UPSETTING CONVERSATION WHERE HE
APPEARED TO BE COACHING HER TO TELL INVESTIGATORS, IF THEY
ASKED, THAT HE WAS AT HIS MOTHER'S HOME LONGER THAN SMITH
SAID HE WAS. >> HIS PHRASE WAS "I WAS HERE,"
>> I WAS HERE 30 TO 40 MINUTES >> Reporter: DAYS LATER, SMITH
TESTIFIED, ALEX WAS BACK AT HIS MOTHER'S PLACE, THIS TIME EARLY
IN THE MORNING WITH SOMETHING BALLED UP IN HIS HANDS
>> LIKE A BLUE TARP, LIKE A TARP
>> BLUE? >> BLUE.
>> OKAY. WAS IT VINYL
>> IT WAS LIKE A TARP THAT YOU PUT ON YOUR CAR WHEN YOU KEEP
YOUR CAR COVERED UP. >> WHAT DID HE DO WHEN HE WALKED
IN >> WENT UPSTAIRS
>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS LATER SEARCHED THE HOUSE AND
DISCOVERED A BLUE RAINCOAT, SIMILAR TO A TARP, BALLED UP IN
A CLOSET AGENT MEGAN FLETCHER, A TRACE
EVIDENCE ANALYST, EXAMINED IT FOR GSR, GUNSHOT RESIDUE
>> THERE WERE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PARTICLES
CHARACTERISTIC OF GUNSHOT RESIDUE ON THE INSIDE THE
JACKET, YES. >> WOULD YOUR FINDINGS BE
CONSISTENT WITH THAT ITEM CONTAINING A RECENTLY FIRED
FIREARM? >> IT IS POSSIBLE, YES
>> Reporter: OTHER PEOPLE IN ALEX'S CIRCLE ALSO FOUND HIS
BEHAVIOR AFTER THE MURDERS STRANGE.
PROSECUTORS CALLED MAGGIE'S SISTER, MARION PROCTOR, TO THE
STAND. >> I'M MARION PROCTOR.
P-R-O-C-T-O-R. >> Reporter: SHE TOLD THE JURY
HER FAMILY WAS TERRIFIED THE KILLER WOULD TARGET ALEX AND
BUSTER NEXT, BUT ALEX DIDN'T APPEAR WORRIED AT ALL.
>> I WAS SCARED FOR ALEX AND BUSTER
I THINK EVERYBODY WAS AFRAID AND, ALEX DIDN'T SEEM TO BE
AFRAID >> Reporter: MARION TOLD THE
JURY MAGGIE WAS ONLY AT MOSELLE THAT NIGHT BECAUSE ALEX HAD
ASKED HER TO BE THERE. HE TOLD HER HIS FATHER WAS
GRAVELY ILL. THE SISTERS TALKED ON THE PHONE
AS MAGGIE DROVE. MARION STILL HAUNTED BY THAT
LAST CALL. >> AND I SAID, WELL, MAGGIE, I
SAID, ALEX AND HIS DAD ARE SUPER CLOSE AND THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT
YOU SHOULD DO, GO BE WITH HIM IF HE NEEDS YOU
>> YOU ENCOURAGED HER TO GO TO MOSELLE?
>> I DID >> WAS THAT THE LAST TIME YOU
TALKED TO HER? >> YES
>> Reporter: ONE APPARENT WEAKNESS IN THE PROSECUTION'S
CASE WAS THE LACK OF BLOOD EVIDENCE
THEY TRIED TO TURN THIS TO THEIR ADVANTAGE BY PLAYING ONE OF
ALEX'S STATEMENTS TO POLICE, RECORDED JUST HOURS AFTER THE
MURDERS. >> I RAN OVER TO MAGGIE,
ACTUALLY I THINK I TRIED TO TURN PAUL OVER FIRST.
I TRIED TO TURN HIM OVER >> DID YOU TOUCH MAGGIE AT ALL
>> I DID, I TOUCHED THEM BOTH. I TRIED TO TAKE, I MEAN, I TRIED
TO DO IT AS LIMITED AS POSSIBLE BUT I TRIED TO TAKE THEIR PULSE
ON BOTH OF THEM. >> Reporter: SO, WHY WASN'T HE
COVERED IN BLOOD THE IMPLICATION WAS THAT HE'D
WASHED UP AFTER THE MURDERS. COLLETON COUNTY LEAD DETECTIVE
LAURA RUTLAND WAS ON THE SCENE THAT NIGHT
>> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE DEFENDANT'S HANDS WHEN YOU SAW
HIM WHEN YOU WERE INTERVIEWING HIM?
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HIS HANDS?
>> THEY WERE CLEAN >> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HIS
T-SHIRT? >> CLEAN
>> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HIS SHORTS
>> CLEAN >> DID HE LOOK LIKE SOMEBODY WHO
HAD JUST CHANGED HIS CLOTHES >> YES
>> Reporter: ALEX SAID SOMETHING ELSE PROSECUTORS SEIZED ON IN
ANOTHER STATEMENT TO POLICE, THREE DAYS AFTER THE MURDERS
>> SITTING HERE TALKING TODAY IS TOUGH.
>> IT WAS JUST SO BAD. I DID HIM SO BAD
>> Reporter: THE PROSECUTOR ASKED SENIOR SPECIAL AGENT
JEFF CROFT TO REPEAT THE WORDS >> WHAT DID HE SAY
>> IT'S JUST SO BAD. I DID HIM SO BAD
>> I DID HIM SO BAD. >> YES, SIR.
>> Reporter: WAS IT A SLIP OF THE TONGUE
AN INADVERTENT CONFESSION? ON CROSS EXAMINATION, ALEX'S
DEFENSE ATTORNEY, JIM GRIFFIN, PLAYED THE TAPE AT A SLOWER
SPEED. THE QUESTION DID ALEX SAY "I" OR
"THEY" >> THEY DID HIM SO BAD
>> DID YOU HEAR "THEY" THEN? >> NO, SIR
I DID NOT. >> YOU WOULD AGREE THE JURY GETS
TO DECIDE WHAT HE SAID ON THAT TAPE
THAT'S THE BEST EVIDENCE >> I AGREE THAT THEY GET TO HEAR
THE TAPE AND MAKE THEIR OWN MIND UP AS TO WHAT HE SAID.
YES, SIR >> Reporter: BUT NO MATTER HOW
MUCH TESTIMONY PROSECUTORS ELICITED ABOUT ALEX MURDAUGH'S
INCONSISTENCIES AND LIES, THEY STILL HAD TO ANSWER THE MOST
BASIC QUESTION OF ALL. WHAT COULD MOTIVATE A MAN TO
BRUTALLY MURDER THE WIFE AND SON HE SEEMED TO ADORE
THEY WOULD THROW A HAIL MARY TO TRY TO MAKE THAT CASE.
>> THEY'VE GOT A WHOLE LOT MORE EVIDENCE ABOUT FINANCIAL
MISCONDUCT THAN THEY HAVE IN EVIDENCE OF GUILT IN A MURDER
CASE
>> Reporter: PROSECUTORS HAD PUNCHED HOLES IN ALEX MURDAUGH'S
ALIBI AND CAST DOUBT OVER MANY OF HIS STATEMENTS, BUT THE
BIGGEST QUESTION OF ALL LINGERED
WHY? WHY WOULD ALEX MURDAUGH KILL HIS
WIFE AND SON ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY SEEMED TO
BE A CLOSE-KNIT FAMILY JOURNALIST VALERIE BAUERLEIN
>> AND I THINK THAT IS A HIGH BAR FOR THE PROSECUTION TO HAVE
TO GET OVER TO EXPLAIN, YES, THOSE THINGS DO HOLD TOGETHER.
>> Reporter: PROSECUTORS HAD AN EXPLANATION.
ALEX MURDAUGH WAS A COMPULSIVE THIEF, THEY ALLEGED, A SPINNER
OF SCAMS, WHO STOLE MONEY FROM EVERYONE
AND BECAUSE THOSE FINANCIAL CRIMES WERE ABOUT TO BE EXPOSED,
THEY ARGUED, HE MURDERED HIS WIFE AND SON TO WIN SYMPATHY AND
TIME >> HE WAS EAGER TO KEEP
CONCEALED THIS LONG-RUNNING FINANCIAL FRAUD THAT WOULD RUIN
HIS FAMILY AND HIS FAMILY NAME >> THIS ISSUE IS BEFORE ME ON
THE MOTION OF THE STATE. >> Reporter: NORMALLY JURORS ARE
NOT ALLOWED TO HEAR ABOUT A DEFENDANT'S PAST BAD ACTS.
BUT IN THIS CASE, PROSECUTORS BELIEVED THEY WERE CRUCIAL TO
EXPLAIN MOTIVE THEY ASKED THE JUDGE FOR
PERMISSION TO PRESENT TESTIMONY ABOUT ALEX'S ALLEGED FINANCIAL
CRIMES >> YOUR HONOR, I WOULD LIKE TO
RESPOND. >> Reporter: THE DEFENSE
PROTESTED LOUDLY >> THEY'VE GOT A WHOLE LOT MORE
EVIDENCE ABOUT FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT THAN THEY HAVE ABOUT
A MURDER AND EVIDENCE OF GUILT IN A MURDER CASE
>> Reporter: BUT IN A PIVOTAL DECISION, JUDGE CLIFTON NEWMAN
DECIDED FOR THE PROSECUTION. >> I FIND THAT IT IS SO
INTIMATELY CONNECTED WITH AND EXPLANATORY OF THE CRIME CHARGED
THAT PROOF OF IT IS ESSENTIAL TO COMPLETE THE STORY
>> Reporter: PROSECUTORS EXHALED.
AND CALLED JEANNE SECKINGER TO THE STAND.
>> I WOULD BE CFO/COO. >> Reporter: SECKINGER TOLD THE
JURORS THE MURDAUGH FAMILY LAW FIRM, "P-M-P-E-D."
OPERATED ON TRUST, LIKE A BROTHERHOOD.
SHE SAID ALEX MURDAUGH WAS A SUCCESSFUL LAWYER LARGELY
BECAUSE OF HIS GIFT OF THE GAB >> HE DID IT THROUGH THE ART OF
[ BLEEP ] BASICALLY. >> Reporter: IN MAY OF 2021,
SECKINGER LEARNED OF CHRIS WILSON'S MISSING CHECK
SHE'D DISCOVERED OTHER FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES INVOLVING ALEX,
TOO. SHE CONFRONTED HIM ABOUT IT FOR
THE FIRST TIME THAT MONTH, AND THEN AGAIN ON JUNE 7th
>> HE LOOKED AT ME WITH A PRETTY DIRTY LOOK, ONE I HAD NOT SEEN
BEFORE AND SAID, "WHAT DO YOU NEED NOW?"
>> Reporter: THE CONVERSATION WAS INTERRUPTED.
>> HE TOOK A PHONE CALL AND THE CALL WAS SAYING THAT HIS FATHER
WAS IN THE HOSPITAL, AND HE WAS TERMINAL
SO AT THAT POINT IT TURNED INTO A PERSONAL CONVERSATION.
>> Reporter: PROSECUTORS ARGUED THAT WAS THE DAY, JUNE 7th,
MURDAUGH REALIZED HIS CRIMES WERE ABOUT TO BE REVEALED.
AND THAT VERY NIGHT, MAGGIE AND PAUL WERE MURDERED
AS PROSECUTORS DEMONSTRATED, ALEX GOT A REPRIEVE FROM THE
FIRM'S INVESTIGATION >> AFTER THE MURDERS HAPPENED,
DID IT SEEM RIGHT TO YOU TO RAISE THOSE ISSUES TO THE
DEFENDANT? >> NO, WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT
THE WELFARE OF ALEX, AND WE WERE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT HE WAS
EMOTIONALLY OKAY >> Reporter: OLD FRIEND
CHRIS WILSON TESTIFIED HE ALSO STOPPED ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT
THAT MISSING CHECK AFTER THE MURDERS.
>> WE ALL TALKED REGULARLY ABOUT KEEPING AN EYE ON HIM AND ABOUT
BEING THERE FOR HIM. >> Reporter: IF PROSECUTORS
THOUGHT EVIDENCE OF MURDAUGH'S FINANCIAL CRIMES WOULD PROVIDE A
MOTIVE, THEY COUNTED ON THEIR LAST WITNESS TO PROVE
OPPORTUNITY. >> SPECIAL AGENT PETER RUDOFSKI.
>> Reporter: THE PROSECUTION'S FINAL WITNESS, S.L.E.D. SPECIAL
AGENT PETER RUDOFKSI, UNVEILED A DIGITAL TOUR DE FORCE.
USING CELL ACTIVITY FROM ALEX'S, MAGGIE'S AND PAUL'S PHONES, AND
GPS DATA FROM ALEX'S CAR, HE BUILT A TIMELINE OF THE NIGHT OF
THE MURDERS. IT SHOWED ALEX HAD TIME TO KILL
AND TO COVER IT UP >> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN
WORKING ON THIS DOCUMENT RIGHT HERE
>> ROUGHLY ABOUT A YEAR ON THIS DOCUMENT
>> Reporter: RUDOFSKI'S TIMELINE SHOWED THAT NOT LONG AFTER
MAGGIE AND PAUL'S PHONES WENT SILENT FOREVER AT 8:49 P.M.,
ABOUT THE TIME PROSECUTORS BELIEVE THE TWO WERE KILLED,
ALEX'S PHONE, WHICH HAD BEEN INACTIVE FOR NEARLY AN HOUR,
SUDDENLY CAME ALIVE. FROM 9:02 P.M. TO 9:06 P.M. IT
COUNTED HIS STEPS. >> HOW MANY STEPS?
>> 283 STEPS, 70.75 STEPS PER MINUTE ESTIMATED
>> HE WAS A BUSY GUY, RIGHT THEN, WASN'T HE?
>> Reporter: AT 9:07 P.M. MURDAUGH'S SUBURBAN LEFT
MOSELLE, HEADING TO HIS MOTHER'S HOME
AS IT NEARED THE LOCATION WHERE MAGGIE'S PHONE WAS LATER FOUND,
THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 42 MILES AN HOUR.
>> AFTER PASSING THAT LOCATION DOES THE DEFENDANT'S VEHICLE
START TO ACCELERATE? >> IT DOES
>> Reporter: THEN THE SUBURBAN SPED UP TO 74 MILES AN HOUR,
REACHING MURDAUGH'S MOTHER'S HOME AT 9:22 P.M
IT DEPARTED AT 9:43 P.M. TRAVELING BACK TO MOSELLE, THIS
TIME CLOCKING A MAXIMUM OF 80 MILES AN HOUR
>> WOULD YOU, AT NIGHT, OR DID YOU EVER AT NIGHT, ON THE ROADS
AS THEY EXISTED AT THE TIME ON JUNE 7th, 2021, RUNNING CODE
WITH YOUR LIGHTS ON, RUN 80 MILES AN HOUR DOWN THAT ROAD?
>> I WOULD NOT NO
>> PLEASE HURRY. >> WE'RE GETTING SOMEBODY OUT
THERE TO YOU >> Reporter: THE SUBURBAN
ARRIVED AT THE KENNELS AT 10:05 P.M.
ALEX CALLED 9-1-1 LESS THAN 20 SECONDS LATER, TELLING THE
DISPATCHER HE'D CHECKED BOTH BODIES AND NEITHER WAS
BREATHING. >> Reporter: WITH THAT,
PROSECUTORS RESTED >> IN THE MATTER OF THE
INDICTMENTS, THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA RESTS
>> Reporter: IN ALL, THEY'D CALLED 61 WITNESSES, ELICITED
HOURS OF DAMAGING TESTIMONY. BUT WAS IT ENOUGH?
THE DEFENSE HAD ITS OWN CARDS TO PLAY, STARTING WITH INSINUATIONS
OF A BOTCHED AND BIASED INVESTIGATION.
>> WHAT EFFORT, IF ANY, WAS MADE TO TAKE FINGERPRINTS AT THE
SCENE?
ATTORNEYS LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR HIS DEFENSE LONG BEFORE THE
PROSECUTION RESTED >> IS THAT PRESERVATION OF THE
SCENE THAT YOUR STANDARDS REQUIRE?
>> NOT, NOT EXACTLY, NO. >> NOT EXACTLY
>> Reporter: IN THEIR CROSS EXAMINATIONS OF STATE'S
WITNESSES, DICK HARPOOTLIAN AND JIM GRIFFIN CRITICIZED THE WAY
THE MURDER INVESTIGATION WAS HANDLED.
>> SHOULD THE POLICE BE WALKING THROUGH THE SCENE?
>> NO. >> DO WE KNOW WHAT OTHER
EVIDENCE THEY MAY HAVE DESTROYED?
>> I HAVE NO IDEA. >> THAT'S RIGHT.
WE DON'T >> YOU'VE DESCRIBED THIS
INVESTIGATIVE CIRCLE SO YOU DRAW A CIRCLE AROUND
POTENTIAL PERSONS OF INTEREST AND ALEX WAS IN THAT CIRCLE,
CORRECT? >> WE DON'T DRAW A CIRCLE AROUND
ANY INDIVIDUAL PERSON. WE WORK WITH THE CRIME SCENE,
WHICH IS WHAT WE CONSIDER THE CIRCLE
>> THERE WAS A CIRCLE, AND IT WAS ONLY AROUND ALEX
HE WAS THE ONLY LIVING AND BREATHING PERSON IN THE CIRCLE.
WAS THAT CORRECT >> THAT WAS THE ONLY PERSON THAT
WE COULD PLACE IN THE CIRCLE AT THAT TIME.
>> Reporter: THEY ACCUSED LAW ENFORCEMENT OF CONDUCTING A
SLOPPY INVESTIGATION FROM THE VERY START
>> DO YOU KNOW WHETHER ANY OF THOSE SHOWERS OR TUBS WERE IN
ANY WAY SWABBED OR CHECKED FOR BLOOD OR TISSUE OR ANY DNA
ANYTHING THAT WOULD INDICATE SOMEBODY HAD WASHED OFF EVIDENCE
OF A CRIME >> NOTHING THAT I'M AWARE OF
>> Reporter: THE DEFENSE ALSO CALLED ITS OWN EXPERT WITNESSES
TO MAKE THE SAME POINT >> IF THIS HAD BEEN YOUR CRIME
SCENE, WOULD YOU HAVE SAVED THAT SHEET AND SAVED HIS CLOTHES?
>> DEFINITELY. >> WHAT EFFORT, IF ANY, WAS MADE
TO TAKE FINGERPRINTS AT THE SCENE?
>> NONE THAT I OBSERVED. >> A LOT OF THE TESTIMONY HAS
BEEN ABOUT THE FAILURE TO PROTECT THE CRIME SCENE AND
PRESERVE WHATEVER EVIDENCE WAS THERE.
>> Reporter: JOE McCOLLOCH IS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY WHO
HAS BEEN IN COURT ALMOST EVERY DAY THROUGHOUT THE TRIAL
HE HAS A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH ALEX MURDAUGH'S DEFENSE TEAM
>> SO THE POOR SHOWING BY S.L.E.D. THAT'S ALLEGED BY THE
DEFENSE IS INTENDED TO TELL THE JURY, IF THEY HAD DONE THEIR
JOB, IF THEY'D TAKEN FINGERPRINTS, IF THEY'D DONE X,
Y, AND Z, THEN ALEX MURDAUGH WOULDN'T BE SITTING HERE.
SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD BE >> Reporter: AT THE END OF THE
DAY, THE DEFENSE ARGUED THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE TYING
ALEX TO THE MURDERS OF MAGGIE AND PAUL
NO MURDER WEAPON, NO BLOOD EVIDENCE ON HIM.
SURE, ALEX HAD LIED ABOUT BEING AT THE KENNELS THAT NIGHT, THEY
SAID, BUT THAT WASN'T EVIDENCE HE KILLED HIS WIFE AND SON
>> "OUR GUY MAY BE A LIAR, OUR GUY MAY BE A THIEF, BUT HE'S NOT
A KILLER"? >> CORRECT
YEAH, ABSOLUTELY >> Reporter: THE DEFENSE ALSO
CALLED PEOPLE CLOSE TO ALEX AND THE FAMILY TO ATTEST TO ALEX'S
GRIEF AND PAIN AFTER THE KILLINGS
>> HE WAS DEVASTATED I MEAN, HE WAS CRYING.
HE WAS -- I MEAN, JUST BESIDE HIMSELF.
HE SAID, "LOOK AT WHAT THEY DID. LOOK AT WHAT THEY DID" TO THEM
>> HE WAS PRETTY DISTRAUGHT. WHEN I GOT THERE, HE AND I SAW
EACH OTHER HE GAVE ME A HUG AND JUST
STARTED CRYING AND TOLD ME THEY WERE GONE.
>> Reporter: ALEX'S OLDER SON BUSTER HAD SAT QUIETLY IN COURT
FOR WEEKS. WHEN IT WAS HIS TURN ON THE
WITNESS STAND, HE RELIVED THE HORROR OF LOSING BOTH HIS MOTHER
AND BROTHER. >> MY DAD CALLED ME.
HE ASKED ME IF I WAS SITTING DOWN
AND I WAS LIKE, "YEAH. THEN HE SOUNDED ODD, AND THEN
HE -- THEN HE TOLD ME THAT THAT MY MOM AND BROTHER HAD BEEN
SHOT >> Reporter: BUSTER SAID HIS
FATHER DIDN'T ACT LIKE A MAN WHO HAD JUST SLAUGHTERED HIS OWN
FAMILY >> HIS DEMEANOR WAS, I MEAN, HE
WAS DESTROYED, WAS HEARTBROKEN I WALKED IN THE DOOR AND SAW HIM
AND I GAVE HIM A HUG JUST BROKEN DOWN
>> DID HE SPEAK? >> NOT REALLY.
>> WAS HE CRYING >> YES, SIR.
>> Reporter: ALEX'S BROTHER JOHN MARVIN ALSO TOOK THE STAND
IN HIS DEFENSE >> AS DEVASTATING AS IT WAS FOR
ME, IT WAS A THOUSAND TIMES WORSE FOR HIM.
SO I KNEW AS A BROTHER I NEEDED TO BE THERE FOR HIM, AND I WAS
I WOULD HAVE TO CREATE A NEW WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW DISTRAUGHT
HE WAS >> Reporter: PAUSING TO WIPE
AWAY HIS OWN TEARS, JOHN MARVIN TOLD THE JURY ABOUT THE MORNING
AFTER THE MURDERS. >> I WALKED OVER TO THE FEED
ROOM IT HAD NOT BEEN CLEANED UP
I SAW BLOOD, I SAW BRAINS, I SAW PIECES OF SKULL.
IT WAS TERRIBLE. AND FOR SOME REASON I THOUGHT IT
WAS MY -- SOMETHING THAT I NEEDED TO DO FOR PAUL TO CLEAN
IT UP. AND I CAN PROMISE YOU NO MOTHER
OR FATHER OR AUNT OR UNCLE SHOULD EVER HAVE TO SEE AND DO
WHAT I DID THAT DAY. >> Reporter: AND HE ASSERTED HIS
BROTHER ALEX'S INNOCENCE BY REVEALING A PROMISE HE MADE TO
HIS NEPHEW PAUL, ALEX'S SON, IN THAT TORTURED MOMENT AT THE
KENNELS. >> I DON'T KNOW.
I JUST -- I LOVED HIM AND PROMISED HIM THAT I'D FIND OUT
WHO DID THIS TO HIM. >> HAVE YOU FOUND OUT?
>> I HAVE NOT. >> HE GOT VERY EMOTIONAL AT
TIMES. HOW EFFECTIVE DO YOU THINK THAT
WAS? >> I THINK THAT'S BIG.
AND I THINK WHAT JOHN MARVIN SUCCEEDED IN DOING FOR THE
DEFENSE WAS HUMANIZING THEIR FAMILY
AND HE CAME ACROSS AS A VERY NICE PERSON, A PERSON WHO WAS
SUFFERING MIGHTILY AND HIS TRUE, GENUINE EMOTIONS
TO THE JURY, AND ESPECIALLY ENDING WITH DECIDING THAT HE
OWED IT TO PAUL TO GO AND CLEAN UP HIS REMAINS, WAS JUST
EXCRUCIATING FOR THE JURY. AND IT -- I THINK IT BROUGHT
HOME THE TRUE TRAGEDY. >> Reporter: BUT WHEN THE STORY
OF ALEX MURDAUGH'S DEFENSE IS ULTIMATELY WRITTEN, IT WILL NOT
DWELL ON THOSE EMOTIONAL STATEMENTS FROM FAMILY AND
FRIENDS, OR ACCUSATIONS ABOUT SLOPPY CRIME SCENES, OR EVEN
WITHERING CROSS-EXAMINATIONS IT WILL FOCUS INSTEAD ON THE
TESTIMONY OF ONE MAN - >> THE DEFENDANT,
RICHARD ALEXANDER MURDAUGH,
ALEX MURDAUGH TRIAL DAWNED, THERE WAS A LOT OF BUZZ AROUND
THE COLLETON COUNTY COURTHOUSE WOULD HE TAKE THE STAND?
THE DECISION WAS ONLY ONE MAN'S TO MAKE, AND ALEX MURDAUGH GAVE
HIS ANSWER >> I AM GOING TO TESTIFY
I WANT TO TESTIFY. >> Reporter: NOW, MOST DEFENSE
LAWYERS WILL TELL YOU THAT PUTTING A DEFENDANT ON THE
WITNESS STAND ONLY TO BE CUT UP BY A PROSECUTOR -- NOT WORTH THE
RISK THEN AGAIN, THIS WASN'T JUST ANY
DEFENDANT. THIS WAS ALEX MURDAUGH, A LAWYER
FROM A LONG LINE OF LAWYERS. ATTORNEY JIM GRIFFIN STARTED BY
CUTTING TO THE CHASE >> DID YOU TAKE THIS GUN OR ANY
GUN LIKE IT AND SHOOT YOUR SON PAUL IN THE CHEST IN THE FEED
ROOM AT YOUR PROPERTY OFF MOSELLE ROAD
>> NO, I DID NOT >> MR. MURDAUGH, DID YOU TAKE
THIS GUN OR ANY GUN LIKE IT AND BLOW YOUR SON'S BRAINS OUT ON
JUNE 7th OR ANY DAY OR ANY TIME? >> NO, I DID NOT
I DIDN'T SHOOT MY WIFE OR MY SON ANY TIME, EVER
>> Reporter: FOR THREE WEEKS, PROSECUTORS HAD BRANDED MURDAUGH
A SERIAL LIAR AND BELIEVED THEY CAUGHT HIM PERHAPS IN HIS
BIGGEST LIE WITH THAT VIDEO PLACING HIM AT THE DOG KENNELS
THAT JUNE NIGHT IN 2021. ALEX AND HIS ATTORNEY CONFRONTED
THAT HEAD ON >> IS THAT YOU ON THE KENNEL
VIDEO AT 8:44 P.M. ON JUNE 7th, THE NIGHT MAGGIE AND PAU
WERE MURDERED? >> IT IS
>> WERE YOU IN FACT AT THE KENNELS AT 8:44 P.M. ON THE
NIGHT MAGGIE AND PAUL WERE MURDERED
>> I WAS >> DID YOU LIE TO S.L.E.D. AGENT
OWEN AND DEPUTY LAURA RUTLAND ON THE NIGHT OF JUNE 7th AND TOLD
THEM THAT YOU STAYED AT THE HOUSE AFTER DINNER
>> I DID LIE TO THEM >> DID YOU LIE TO AGENT OWEN AND
AGENT CRAWFORD ON THE FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEW ON JUNE 10th, THAT THE
LAST TIME YOU SAW MAGGIE AND PAUL WAS AT DINNER
>> I DID LIE TO THEM >> Reporter: SO WHY DID HE LIE
HE SAID HIS ADDICTION TO PAINKILLERS WAS THE REASON, UP
TO 60 PILLS A DAY. >> AS MY ADDICTION EVOLVED OVER
TIME, I WOULD GET IN THESE SITUATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES
WHERE I WOULD GET PARANOID THINKING, AND IT COULD BE
ANYTHING THAT TRIGGERED. IT MIGHT BE A LOOK SOMEBODY GAVE
ME IT MIGHT BE A REACTION SOMEBODY
HAD TO SOMETHING I DID IT MIGHT BE A POLICEMAN
FOLLOWING ME IN A CAR. >> Reporter: HE SAID HE
DISTRUSTED S.L.E.D. INTENSELY AND HIS DRUG-INDUCED PARANOIA,
COUPLED WITH THE SHOCK FROM THE MURDERS, FOGGED UP HIS MIND.
>> ON JUNE THE 7th, 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. >> DID YOU CONTINUE LYING AFTER
THAT NIGHT DID YOU NOT?
>> WELL, ONCE I LIED, I CONTINUED TO LIE
YES, SIR >> WHY
>> YOU KNOW, OH, WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE
>> Reporter: MURDAUGH WENT ON TO GIVE A NEW ACCOUNT OF THAT
AFTERNOON AND EVENING, CONSTANTLY USING THE NICKNAMES
"MAGS" AND "PAW-PAW" FOR HIS WIFE AND SON, AND OFFERING
DETAILS HE HAD NEVER MENTIONED IN HIS INTERVIEWS WITH LAW
ENFORCEMENT. HE DESCRIBED DRIVING AROUND
MOSELLE WITH PAUL ON HIS SON'S LAST AFTERNOON
>> YOU COULD NOT BE AROUND PAW-PAW --
YOU COULD NOT BE AROUND HIM AND NOT HAVE A GOOD TIME
I LOVED DOING ANYTHING WITH PAW-PAW.
HE WAS AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHT >> Reporter: AFTER DINNER THAT
EVENING, HE SAID, MAGGIE ASKED HIM TO GO OUT TO THE KENNELS
WHERE SHE AND PAUL WERE CHECKING ON THE DOGS.
AND THIS WAS HIS NEW STORY HE SAID HE DROVE A GOLF CART OUT
THERE. >> I'M TALKING TO MAGGIE FOR
JUST A SHORT TIME BEFORE BUBBA CATCHES THE CHICKEN.
>> Reporter: ALEX SAID HE TRIED TO PULL IT AWAY FROM HIM
>> DID YOU GET THE CHICKEN OUT OF BUBBA'S MOUTH
>> I DID I TOOK THE CHICKEN FROM BUBBA
AND I PUT IT ON TOP OF THAT -- WHAT LOOKS TO ME LIKE A PORTABLE
DOG CRATE. >> WHAT'D YOU DO AFTER YOU GOT
THE CHICKEN OUT OF BUBBA'S MOUTH?
>> I GOT OUT OF THERE. I LEFT
I WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE >> SO YOU WENT BACK TO THE
HOUSE. YOU LAID DOWN ON THE COUCH, AND
THEN WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? >> I'M NOT -- I'M NOT POSITIVE
I DOZED OFF FOR A MINUTE OR DIDN'T DOZE OFF FOR A MINUTE,
BUT I GOT UP OFF OF THE COUCH. AND I WAS -- I MADE UP MY MIND I
WAS GOING TO VISIT MY MOM. >> Reporter: HE DESCRIBED THAT
TRIP OVER TO HIS MOTHER'S HOUSE. ALL ROUTINE, HE CLAIMED.
WHEN HE GOT BACK TO THE HOUSE ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, HE SAID HE
DIDN'T SEE HIS WIFE OR SON ANYWHERE INSIDE.
SO HE STARTED SEARCHING. >> AND, ALEX, DID YOU DRIVE DOWN
TO THE KENNELS IN YOUR SUBURBAN? >> I DID
>> AND WHAT'D YOU SEE? >> I SAW WHAT Y'ALL HAVE SEEN
PICTURES OF.
IT WAS -- IT WAS SO BAD. >> WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU WENT
UP TO PAUL, AT SOME POINT IN TIME
>> PAW-PAW WAS SO, SO BAD. AT SOME POINT, I MEAN, I KNOW I
TRIED TO CHECK HIM FOR A PULSE I KNOW I TRIED TO TURN HIM OVER.
>> WHEN YOU SAY YOU TRIED TO TURN HIM OVER, WHAT -- WHY WERE
YOU TRYING TO TURN HIM OVER? >> I DON'T KNOW.
I DON'T KNOW I DON'T KNOW WHY I TRIED TO TURN
HIM OVER TO ME, MY BOY'S LAYING FACE
DOWN, AND HE'S DONE THE WAY HE'S DONE
HIS HEAD WAS THE WAY HIS HEAD WAS.
I COULD SEE HIS -- I COULD SEE HIS BRAIN LAYING ON THE
SIDEWALK I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
>> Reporter: HE SAID IN THE WEEKS AFTER THE MURDERS, HE WAS
READY AND WILLING TO GIVE THE POLICE ANYTHING THEY NEEDED,
WHETHER IT EXONERATED HIM OR NOT.
BUT THE BOTTOM LINE FOR THE DEFENSE WAS THIS -- MURDAUGH HAD
NO MOTIVE TO KILL HIS WIFE OR SON.
>> I WOULD NEVER HURT MAGGIE AND I WOULD NEVER HURT PAUL
EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. >> Reporter: BUT ALEX WASN'T
FINISHED ON THE STAND. NOW IT WAS THE PROSECUTION'S
TURN TO QUESTION HIM >> AND YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO LIE
QUICKLY AND EASILY AND CONVINCINGLY IF YOU THINK IT'LL
SAVE YOUR SKIN FOR WELL OVER A DECADE
ISN'T THAT TRUE?
LIED TO POLICE FOR A YEAR AND A HALF
HE TOLD THEM HE WAS NOT AT THE DOG KENNELS BEFORE HIS WIFE AND
SON'S MURDERS. NOW HE SAID HE WAS
>> ALL THIS TIME LATER, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE EVER SAID
THAT >> YES, SIR.
>> Reporter: PROSECUTOR CREIGHTON WATERS WANTED TO
UNDERSCORE THAT POINT. THIS DEFENDANT WAS A LIAR.
AND NOT JUST ABOUT THE MURDERS FOR YEARS, HE'D BEEN USING ONE
HAND TO SHAKE WITH TRUSTING CLIENTS, AND THE OTHER TO RIP
THEM OFF >> AND YOU WOULD AGREE WITH ME
THAT FOR YEARS YOU WERE STEALING MONEY FROM CLIENTS
>> YES, SIR. I AGREE WITH THAT.
>> AND THAT YOU WERE STEALING FROM YOUR LAW FIRM
>> YES, SIR. I AGREE WITH THAT.
>> AND THAT HAD BEEN GOING ON SINCE AT LEAST 2010.
>> I'M NOT SURE THE EXACT DATE BUT IT'S BEEN GOING ON A LONG
TIME I'LL AGREE WITH THAT
>> Reporter: THIS DEFENDANT, SAID WATERS, STOLE MILLIONS OF
DOLLARS, EVEN FROM PEOPLE HE CLAIMED TO CARE ABOUT.
>> WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR HEAD AND HOW IT WENT DOWN WHEN
YOU SAT THERE, AND LOOKED THEM IN THE EYE, AND CONVINCED THEM
THAT YOU WERE DOING THEM RIGHT, WHILE YOU WERE LYING TO THEM AND
STEALING THEIR MONEY >> YES, SIR.
I HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH A LOT OF MY CLIENTS THAT I
CARED ABOUT. AND SO I WILL TELL YOU THA
I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM WHERE I MISLED THEM AND I LIED
TO THEM AND I TOOK THEIR MONEY >> Reporter: THE ONLY REASON
ALEX STOPPED LYING ABOUT STEALING MONEY, THE PROSECUTOR
ARGUED, WAS BECAUSE HE GOT CAUGHT
JUST AS THE ONLY REASON HE STOPPED LYING ABOUT BEING AT THE
KENNELS WAS THE TAPE >> YOU AGREE THAT THE MOST
IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR TESTIMONY HERE TODAY IS EXPLAINING YOUR
LIE FOR A YEAR AND A HALF THAT YOU WERE NEVER DOWN AT THOSE
KENNELS AT 8:44. WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT?
>> I THINK ALL OF MY TESTIMONY IS IMPORTANT, MR. WATERS
>> WOULD YOU AGREE THAT THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR
TESTIMONY? >> SURE.
>> I THINK HE WAS TIRED. I WON'T SAY HIS WHEELS CAME OFF,
BUT IT -- THEY STARTED TO GET WOBBLY
>> Reporter: ATTORNEY JOE McCULLOCH WAS IN COURT FOR
ALEX'S TESTIMONY HE COULD SEE ALEX BEGINNING TO
BUCKLE AS THE PROSECUTOR PRESSED INTO HIS EVER-CHANGING STORY
ABOUT WHERE HE WAS THE NIGHT OF THE MURDERS.
>> THAT'S A TELLING BLOW IT WAS SET UP WELL WITH A SERIES
OF QUESTIONS TO KIND OF -- I THINK -- WEAR HIM OUT, KIND OF
FOOL HIM INTO COMMITTING HIMSELF TO THAT POINT OF LIE
AND THEN THEY SHOWED THAT HE WAS LYING AGAIN.
>> Reporter: THE PROSECUTOR ATTACKED MURDAUGH'S NEW VERSION
OF THAT NIGHT, WHICH WENT LIKE THIS
HE WAS AT THE KENNELS AT 8:44, BUT ONLY FOR A MINUTE OR SO TO
RESCUE A CHICKEN IN DISTRESS THEN HE WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE
>> SO WE GOT YOU BACK AROUND 8:49.
YOU DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING AT ALL. DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING AT ALL,
MR. MURDAUGH, DURING THAT TIME PERIOD
>> NO, I DID NOT >> Reporter: THAT'S POSSIBLY
BECAUSE HE WAS NAPPING BY THEN, ALEX SAID.
HE HAD MISSED HIS WIFE AND SON'S MURDERS BY MERE SECONDS, MISSED
THE SOUND OF MULTIPLE GUN BLASTS, LIKELY BECAUSE HE WAS
OUT COLD >> ACCORDING TO YOUR NEW STORY,
HOW LONG DID YOU DOZE? >> I -- I -- IF -- IF I DOZED,
EXTREMELY SHORT TIME >> EXTREMELY SHORT TIME?
BECAUSE YOU WOULD AGREE WITH M THAT AT 9:02, YOU'RE UP AND
MOVING ACCORDING TO THE DATA >> I AGREE THAT ACCORDING TO
THAT DATA, MY PHONE'S RECORDIN STEPS AT WHATEVER TIME IT IS,
9:02 SOMETHING >> Reporter: SO WHAT WAS HE
DOING, CREIGHTON WATERS ASKED? >> I KNOW WHAT I WASN'T DOING,
MR. WATERS, AND WHAT I WASN'T DOING IS DOING ANYTHING, AS
BELIEVE YOU'VE IMPLIED THAT I WAS CLEANING OFF OR WASHING OFF
OR WASHING OFF GUNS OR PUTTING GUNS IN A RAINCOAT
AND I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT I WASN'T DOING ANY OF THAT
>> Reporter: WATERS DISMISSED THE LATEST ALIBI AS THE WORDS OF
A MAN WHO ROUTINELY LIED TO ESCAPE TROUBLE
>> AND YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO LIE QUICKLY AND EASILY AND
CONVINCINGLY IF YOU THINK IT'LL SAVE YOUR SKIN FOR WELL OVER A
DECADE ISN'T THAT TRUE?
>> I HAVE LIED WELL OVER A DECADE
>> AND YOU WANT THIS JURY TO BELIEVE A STORY MANUFACTURED TO
FIT THE EVIDENCE THAT YOU BROUGHT FORTH JUST YESTERDAY
AFTER HEARING THIS TRIAL'S WORTH OF TESTIMONY
>> NO, SIR THAT'S NOT CORRECT
>> Reporter: THE TROUBLE MURDAUGH WAS TRYING TO SAVE
HIMSELF FROM THIS TIME, THE PROSECUTOR ARGUED, WAS IMPENDING
FINANCIAL EXPOSURE AT HIS LAW FIRM AND IN THE MALLORY BEACH
CIVIL CASE TO AVOID THAT HE SEIZED ON A
HAIRBRAINED SCHEME COMMIT A GREATER CRIME TO BLOT
OUT THE LESSER ONES. KILL TWO LOVED ONES TO ATTRACT
SYMPATHY INSTEAD OF SCRUTINY >> MR. MURDAUGH, ARE YOU A
FAMILY ANNIHILATOR >> A FAMILY ANNIHILATOR?
YOU MEAN, LIKE, DID I SHOOT MY WIFE AND MY SON?
>> YES >> NO.
>> NOTHING FURTHER >> Reporter: AS A FORMER
ATTORNEY, ALEX MURDAUGH HAD A KNACK FOR READING JURIES
BUT ALL THAT MATTERED NOW WAS HOW THESE JURORS WERE READING
HIM. AFTER 28 DAYS OF TESTIMONY, THE
CASE WAS THEIRS TO DECIDE. AND THEY DID IT IN LESS THAN
THREE HOURS. >> THE DEFENDANT WILL RISE
>>> Reporter: 28 DAYS HAD BARELY ENDED IN THE MOST WATCHED TRIAL
IN SOUTH CAROLINA'S HISTORY. THE CASE WAS IN THE HANDS OF THE
JURY, AND EVERYONE WAS TRYING TO CATCH THEIR BREATH WHEN THE WORD
CAME A VERDICT WAS IN
ALREADY. >> GUILTY.
>> Reporter: GUILTY OF THE MURDERS OF HIS WIFE AND SON.
BAILIFFS FLANKED AND CUFFED MURDAUGH
HIS SURVIVING SON, BUSTER, WATCHING FROM THE GALLERY.
>> AND HE MAY BE TAKEN AWAY. >> ALEX, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU
WANT TO SAY TO YOUR SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS
>> Reporter: AS HE WAS LED OUT OF THE BACK OF COURTHOUSE LAST
NIGHT TO SPEND HIS FIRST NIGHT IN JAIL AS A CONVICTED MURDERER,
A JUBILANT PROSECUTION TEAM ASSEMBLED IN FRONT OF THE
BUILDING >> Reporter: THERE WERE CHEERS
FOR LEAD PROSECUTOR CREIGHTON WATERS, AND HE HEAPED
PRAISE ON THE JURORS >> WE HAD NO DOUBT IF WE HAD A
CHANCE TO PRESENT OUR CASE IN A COURT OF LAW THAT THEY WOULD SEE
THROUGH THE ONE LAST CON ALEX MURDAUGH WAS TRYING TO
PULL AND THEY DID AND WE'RE SO
GRATEFUL FOR THAT. >> Reporter: THE TRIAL HAD DRAWN
SPECTATORS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND NOW THEY ALSO
WEIGHED IN >> VERY SAD.
IT'S THE DEMISE OF AN ENTIRE FAMILY
>> THIS WAS THE ONLY WAY THAT PAUL AND MAGGIE WILL EVER HAVE
ANY JUSTICE. >> JUSTICE WAS SERVED, IT WAS.
AND NOW MAYBE THEY CAN LAY IN PEACE.
>> Reporter: MARK TINSLEY, LAWYER FOR MALLORY BEACH'S
FAMILY >> IT WAS INTERESTING TO ME THAT
THE TRIAL TESTIMONY ENDED ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOAT CRASH.
BUT THEN FOR ALEX TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT HE DID AND
TO HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR WHAT HE DID IN SUCH A PUBLIC MANNER ON
THE ANNIVERSARY OF THEM FINDING HER BODY, IT REALLY HAS TO BE
SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST COINCIDENCE.
>> WE KNEW THAT THE LIE, AS WE CALL IT, WOULD BE A MAJOR ISSUE.
>> Reporter: ALEX'S DEFEATED DEFENSE TEAM, DICK HARPOOTLIAN
AND JIM GRIFFIN. HOW DAMNING WAS THE VIDEO ABOUT
THE KENNEL >> DAMNING
>> EXTREMELY >> EXTREMELY
I MEAN, WE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JIM AND I, WERE GETTING PREPARED
FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AGO AND WE WERE LOOKINH FOR A WAY TO GET
AROUND THE -- WE CALL IT "THE LIE.
I MEAN, EVERY TIME WE DID, IT'S THE LIE.
HOW DO YOU GET AROUND IT HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN IT?
AND APPARENTLY, HE DIDN'T. >> SO, THIS CASE REALLY BOILED
DOWN TO THE BIG LIE VERSUS THE BIG WHY.
>> Reporter: BUT SOUTH CAROLINA ATTORNEY GENERAL ALAN WILSON AND
PROSECUTOR WATERS CONTEND IT WAS MORE THAN JUST THAT TAPE
>> ALEX MURDAUGH I THINK HIS VOICE ON THE KENNEL
VIDEO COUPLED WITH HIS TESTIMONY, THAT'S ULTIMATELY
WHAT HUNG HIM WITH THE JURY. >> SOUTH CAROLINIANS, AS YOU
KNOW, HAVE A GOOD SENSE AND A GOOD METER FOR BS AND I THINK
THAT HE LOOKED THEM IN THE EYE AND TOLD THEM LIES
THAT WAS ALL IT TOOK TO GET THEM OVER THE FINISH LINE
>> HOW DID BUSTER FEEL ABOUT YOUR BEING FOUND GUILTY?
>> Reporter: THIS MORNING, HIS FIRST DAY AS A CONVICTED MAN,
MURDAUGH CAME TO THE COURTHOUSE IN A JUMPSUIT AND SHACKLES FOR
SENTENCING >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THE
COURT ON ANY MATTERS >> Reporter: THE JUDGE ASKED
EACH SIDE IF THEY WANTED TO ADDRESS THE COURT.
>> MR. GRIFFIN AND I WOULD HAVE NO COMMENT
THE DEFENDANT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COURT.
>> I WOULD NEVER HURT MY WIFE MAGGIE
I WOULD NEVER HURT MY SON PAW PAW.
>> Reporter: THE JUDGE HAD A QUESTION FOR THE CONVICTED MAN
ABOUT SOMETHING HE SAID ON THE STAND.
>> "OH, WHAT TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE.
WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY THAT? >> I MEANT WHEN I LIED, I
CONTINUE TO LIE. >> AND THE QUESTION IS, WHEN
WILL IT END? >> Reporter: AND THEN, IN THE
VERY COURTROOM WHERE HIS FATHER, GRANDFATHER AND GREAT
GRANDFATHER HAD PROSECUTED CASES BEFORE HIM, ALEX MURDAUGH WAS
SENTENCED FOR KILLING HIS WIFE AND SON.
>> I SENTENCE YOU FOR THE TERM OF THE REST OF YOUR NATURAL
LIFE >> Reporter: TWO LIFE TERMS, TO
BE SERVED CONSECUTIVELY. HE IS APPEALING.
THE TRIAL MAY BE OVER, BUT FOR OLD FRIENDS OF ALEX, THE
HEARTBREAK WILL NEVER END. WHAT'S BEEN THE HARDEST PART
>> HARDEST PART IS TWO FRIENDS THAT WE'LL NEVER SEE AGAIN, TWO
PEOPLE THAT WE LOVED KNOWING THAT WE'LL NEVER SEE
MAGGIE AND PAUL AGAIN. >> Reporter: WHO WAS THE PAUL
THAT YOU KNEW? >> THE PAUL THAT WE KNEW WAS
LOVING HE WAS FUNNY
HE HAD A BIG HEART >> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU WANT
THE WORLD TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR SORORITY SISTER TURNED DEAR
FRIEND, MAGGIE MURDAUGH? >> THE WORLD LOST A VERY SPECIAL
PERSON I LOST A DEAR FRIEND
I STILL HEAR HER LAUGH SHE HAD A VERY LOUD LAUGH, AND I
MISS HER >> Reporter: BUT WHEN THE TALK
TURNS ALEX, CHRIS WILSON STRUGGLES.
THEFT, LYING, DRUG ADDICTION IT'S A LOT OF SECRETS TO HAV
BETWEEN TWO REALLY GOOD FRIENDS OF MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
>> I THOUGHT I KNEW HIM. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THOUGHT
I KNEW SOMEBODY THAT I DIDN'T KNOW
>> Reporter: A FAVORED SON OF THE LOW COUNTRY.
A LIFE WITH ALL THAT GLITTERED A LEGENDARY FAMILY, NOW WITH A
TRAGIC NEW CHAPTER I MEAN, AS WE SIT HERE RIGHT
NOW, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HIM >> MY THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW AREN'T
GOOD AT ALL ABOUT HIM. BUT I KNOW I'M SUPPOSED TO
FORGIVE HIM. THE BIBLE TEACHES US TO FORGIVE.
ONE DAY I HOPE I CAN FORGIVE HIM BUT NOT THIS DAY
NOT THIS DAY >> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION
OF "DATELINE." WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN SUNDAY AT
7:00 P.M., 6:00 P.M. CENTRAL AND OF COURSE, I'LL SEE YOU EACH
WEEKNIGHT FOR "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS."
I'M LESTER HOLT. FOR ALL OF US AT NBC NEWS, GOOD