Witnesses testified it hadnt been searched for weapons, bloody clothes and other evidence or even checked to see if a suspect was hiding inside. A central contention by Murdaugh's defense team that sloppy police and forensics work undermines the evidence against him found real traction in court. He added that he was in a tough spot financially after "spending so much money on [opiate] pills.". In cross-examination, prosecutors focused on Palmbachs analysis that the fatal shotgun blast was fired from above Paul Murdaughs head, even though hair, blood and other material was found on the ceiling above in a storage closet the family called the feed room. The 54-year-old attorney is standing trial on two counts of murder in the shootings of his wife and son at their Colleton County, S.C., home and hunting lodge on June 7, 2021. Murdaugh admitted that he stole money from his law firm by pocketing client funds for himself. But she grew suspicious and told the firm's chief financial officer, Jeanne Seckinger. We dont have much information about Hes past relationship and any previous engaged. WALTERBORO, S.C. The 54-year-old attorney is standing trial on two counts of murder in the shootings of his wife and son at their Colleton County, S.C., home and hunting lodge on June 7, 2021. I hate the fact that I did it. He was inducted into the East Carolina Hall of Fame in 2007. Blake was a member of seven teams during his career, playing his longest stint with the Cincinnati Bengals from 1994 to 1999. But the judge has refused to set such limits on cross-examination. That's immediately after the time experts say the murders took place. Investigators testified they later found a blue raincoat with gunshot residue at the house, leading to speculation that it had been wrapped around a recently fired weapon. But in court, witnesses identified Murdaugh's voice in a video taken by Paul at the kennel around 8:45 p.m. minutes before investigators say the shooting started. He'd been lying the whole time. But Alex Murdaugh's father was dying and his mother was ailing, and Proctor encouraged her sister to support him. Murdaugh also said he had nothing to do with a blue rain jacket that was found in a closet at his mother's house, and which tested positive for gunpowder residue, leading to speculation that it had been wrapped around a recently fired weapon. It took hours for agents from across the state to get deep into the South Carolina Lowcountry. For the latest news, visit our news site, LAist.com. Prosecutor Creighton Waters emphasized that body-cam footage showed Murdaugh lied to Colleton County Sheriff's Sgt. The judge agreed with Harpootlians request for Colleton County deputies to provide additional security on the property, which is under contract to be sold for $3.9 million. Murdaugh admitted numerous misdeeds, and several of his former colleagues described him as a duplicitous man who was hard to read. He faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted. Copyright 2023 NPR. His initial alibi purported that he stayed in the house, where he said he took a nap before leaving to see his ailing mother. It's a video taken by Paul Murdaugh, locked in his cellphone for a year after the killings until federal agents could hack into it. He has plead not guilty. Prosecutors, who contend Murdaugh killed his wife and son to distract from his financial crimes, have not presented direct evidence against Alex Murdaugh. "I don't think anybody knows him.". hide caption. Jeff Blake was born on December 4, 1970 in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. Dr. Jonathan Eisenstat, a forensic pathology consultant, sketches the difference in shotgun wounds based on distance to the victim during Alex Murdaughs double murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C.. "I lied about being down there. Jeff Blakes income source is mostly from being a successful Player. 77 carries for 109 yards with 3 TD. Official Sites. Smith felt so uncomfortable, she said, that she immediately called her brother, who works in law enforcement. Although he finished his career with the Chicago Bears, he was formerly a quarterback for the New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles. The threats were so "over the top," he added, that the family disregarded it. Common symptoms of Blake Mania include sudden fits of song and dance. Investigators came inside while she was there, she said, but they didn't question her. The bodies of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were covered with a sheet, which can absorb fluid, instead of a tarp. When Blake declared for the 1992 NFL Draft, he left ECU as the East Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year and with the school record for passing yards. Marian Proctor, Maggie Murdaugh's sister, testified that Maggie called her in the late afternoon on the day she died. Before the murder trial, he was facing legal issues due to personal finance. He is an actor, known for Living Single (1993), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970). Foxworthy has a sister, Jennifer Foxworthy, and a brother, Jay Foxworthy. You cant handle and shoot both of them, he said. There is nothing on camera," defense attorney Dick Harpootlian said early in the trial. Alex Murdaugh is seen being escorted into court. Following an injury to the Bears starting quarterback, Rex Grossman, coach Lovie Smith opted to select rookie Kyle Orton to fill the slot. Numerous vehicles and people were allowed onto the Moselle grounds in the hours after the killings, including Murdaugh's relatives and friends. Learn more here. On the witness stand Thursday, the disbarred lawyer blamed his erratic behavior on paranoia caused by an opiate addiction. The defense also called an expert who testified the killings likely required two shooters because both Paul and Maggie Murdaugh appeared to be taken by surprise. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. Getty Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and his wife Cheryl Flake leave the U.S. Capitol as they are trailed by reporters, October 24 in Washington, DC. Newman said the defense "opened the door" by asking witnesses about Murdaugh's character and possible motive. There were only 16 minutes between the time the victims stopped using their cellphones and when Alex Murdaugh left his house about 1,100 feet (335 meters) from the crime scene to visit his ailing mother. Shake-N-Blake! ", On the stand, Murdaugh said his wife "wasn't planning to go with me" to see his mother, adding, "Maggie didn't really like to visit my mom.". Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian, left, speaks with defense attorney Jim Griffin and Alex Murdaugh during Murdaugh's double murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C . Honolulu, HI 96813 There is nothing on camera," defense attorney Dick Harpootlian said early in the trial. Murdaugh said he tried to check for a pulse and tried to turn Paul over. The Blackout rifle has been mentioned repeatedly, as experts concluded that rifle shell casings from the murder scene matched tool markings on weathered casings found near the house, indicating they were cycled through the same gun. The 54-year-old attorney is standing trial on two counts of murder in the shootings of his wife and son at their Colleton County, S.C., home and hunting lodge on June 7, 2021. Senator Jeff Flake walks through the halls outside of the Senate Chamber in Washington, Jan. 21, 2021. But in court, witnesses identified Murdaugh's voice in a video taken by Paul at the kennel around 8:45 p.m. minutes before investigators say the shooting started. Bill Chappell is a writer, reporter and editor, and a leader on NPR's flagship digital news team. "I don't think anybody knows him.". Alex Murdaugh said his mother was awake when he went to her house. "There are no eyewitnesses. ", On the stand, Murdaugh said his wife "wasn't planning to go with me" to see his mother, adding, "Maggie didn't really like to visit my mom.". Parts of the 911 call were played in court. Murdaugh said his wife "wasn't planning to go with me" to see his mother, adding, "Maggie didn't really like to visit my mom." . It was one of several implications that Murdaugh sought to orchestrate the narrative around the murders. Alex Murdaugh swears to tell the truth before taking the stand to testify in his trial for murder at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C., on Thursday, Feb. 23. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Jeff Blake/AP hide caption. His defense team wasted no time. Smith also said she'd never seen Murdaugh visit his parents' home at 6:30 in the morning. As a 1 goal was to find out who killed my sister and Paul.". (Jeff Blake/The State via AP, Pool) 1 of 3. The 54-year-old attorney is standing trial on two counts of murder in the shootings of his wife and son at their Colleton County, S.C., home and hunting lodge on June 7, 2021. The next day, Murdaugh was shot in the head but survived. Jeff Blake. WALTERBORO, S.C. A series of revelations have emerged in the more than monthlong murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, the disbarred South Carolina lawyer accused of killing his wife and son. He repeated that reply when Griffin asked Murdaugh: Did you "blow your son's brains out?". Waters, the prosecutor, asked Murdaugh. During the last game of the regular NFL season, Blake was put in to replace Kyle Orton during the fourth quarter, completing eight of nine passes. The trio formed an explosive offensive trifecta that swept through the NFL, beginning with the Dallas Cowboys. Jeff Blake Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian, left, speaks to Judge Clifton Newman (not seen) as prosecutor Creighton Waters, right, listens during Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C. "I did not shoot my wife or my son any time. But Alex Murdaugh's father was dying and his mother was ailing, and Proctor encouraged her sister to support him. The 54-year-old attorney is standing trial on two counts of murder in the shootings of his wife and son at their Colleton County, S.C., home and hunting lodge on June 7, 2021. He is an actor, known for Living Single (1993), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and The NFL on CBS (1956). Jeff Blake/AP . It struck her as odd. Murdaugh admitted that he lied to investigators about his alibi he has repeatedly said he didn't see his wife and son after they ate dinner at Moselle, their hunting estate. Where is the former Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacknow, and how did he get there? He recounted cleaning up parts of Paul's remains that were still sitting out in the open. Prosecutors also rejected the idea that Murdaugh was too tall to have fired the shots that killed Paul, citing numerous variables such as the likely chaos at the scene and the potential of firing from a kneeling position. And I'm so sorry that I did," he said. He said he felt compelled to clean. Maggie was enjoying her home in nearby Edisto Beach and hadn't planned to see her husband that night, Proctor said. He made 100 career starts. His father, Emory, had professional football experience in theCanadian Football Leagueand helped coach Blake at Seminole High School. He also drove past the spot on the roadside where Maggie's phone was later found. Also on Monday, Judge Clifton Newman agreed to let the jury visit the family property and see the crime scene. "Go be with him if he needs you," Proctor said. When state agents arrived, they sent Murdaugh and his entourage to the home. Intermittent rain fell and the runoff from the kennel roof fell on Paul Murdaughs covered body. Despite the large and complex crime scene, state law enforcement released Moselle back to the family on the morning after the murders, according to Murdaugh's brother, John Marvin. He sounds like the ideal starting quarterback for today's NFL, but Blake was a Black quarterbackin the 1990s, way ahead of his time. In court, Murdaugh said his phone had fallen between the seat and the console. A mobile quarterback, Blake ran for 2,027 career rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Paralegal Annette Griswold described Murdaugh as a "Tasmanian devil" who showed up late for work and was all over the place. Don't @ me. I would never hurt Paul Murdaugh under any circumstances.. Early in the evening of June 7, his phone seemed to be sitting immobile at the main house. The disgraced former lawyer admitted to lying about his alibi for the time leading up to the shooting deaths of his wife and son. But they never produced the murder weapons a .300 Blackout assault-style rifle prosecutors say was used on Maggie and a 12-gauge shotgun used on Paul. 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