Alec Murdaugh: The Verdict

The verdict in the Alec Murdaugh trial is in--guilty on all charges. We discuss it with you, live.

[@janetinca4702]

I was surprised that I got a little choked up after the verdict was read because the story is so sad. I felt like the courtroom was filled with sadness as he walked out of the courtroom. And not for Alex Murdaugh... the whole thing is horrible. Sorrow.

[@sharonw7078]

Same. I thought it was just me. 🤷‍♀️ Of course I agreed he was guilty and glad to see him handcuffed and escorted out... but part of me was 😥 2 people are dead and 1 of them was only 22 yrs old. Thinking of what Alex said to them & what Maggie and Paul said to him is haunting 😩

[@Anubismamaone]

I cried too. I think it was such a relief. That monster is in jail. I thought of Maggie running to her baby just overwhelming.

[@leiliyahdecotta]

SAME. I have no personal connection whatsoever to this case, just happened to be on a sort of hiatus from my own life that coincided with the trial but I was sad too. I cried when Alex testified about what he loved about Paul and Maggie (despite my aversion to him generally and WHAT you’re going to act like “mags” and “Paul Paul? Paw-paw?” Are like just the normal way you’d talk about these people? Like. Ugh let me just rant for a second on that NOBODY DOES THAT. My child has a completely normal, proper name, but I often - at home, or to his father or his siblings - tend to call him “doodles” which is a reference to when he was learning to speak and always said “hi doodaloo” inexplicably and was so cute and funny. NEVER WOULD I CALL HIM THAT IN A COURT OF LAW GAH. And it wasn’t normal for him culturally either, which is why he didn’t refer to them that way in any of the police interviews. Screaming into the void here to try to rid myself of the sliminess) Anyway, sorry for the sidebar. No winners here. The entire saga is tragic and there’s only more tragedy to come.

[@alliepalmer7892]

This is the first time I’ve watched the live podcast on KZbin (due to excitement to see your reactions to the verdict), and I just gotta say: it was super fun to finally put faces to your voices 😂

[@anticlimactic2685]

Humanity can really break your heart. This is heartbreaking.

[@leiliyahdecotta]

Lol my toddlers every day - I was in the middle of making dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets for them when the verdict and I was like OMG HERE ARE YOUR NUGGETS BUT SHHHHHHHHH

[@nottthereyet4872]

Thank you! I was so disappointed at the negative comments toward the Prosecutions' closing argument when, IN FACT, it was so impressive and well laid out. I was cringing during Jim's ill-prepared and disjointed closing. All the time that he had to prepare his points, and THIS is how he ends up defending his client? Guilty or Not Guilty - the Defendent deserves a clear defense summary at the very least.

[@leiliyahdecotta]

Lol omg big fan of the podcast, tuned in to KZbin for the first time and you guys are SO CUTE I just cannot

[@louisefindlay2594]

My first reaction was relief, my second was sadness for the rest of the families involved.

[@noradelaney3599]

So grateful for both of you being honest and transparent.

[@slg2k]

You guys totally expressed how I felt when I watched the verdict. So much sadness for the totality of the situation

[@leighgraw9096]

It almost seemed like Jim knew Alex was guilty but was begging for the jury to let it go anyway because of the trauma the family had already experienced. He actually got teary at the very end.

[@thackerybinx3325]

Griffin was really good friends with Alex, I wonder if he then realized that his best friend is guilty of this and he just couldn't defend his friend anymore. It all hit him during closin. I wonder if he also was worried his career would be pretty much over by defending and standing next to Alex all this time. It seems like the Murdaugh name and everyone attached to that family are pretty much runied now.

[@musingsofasouthernbelle]

I was so surprised at my own feelings of sadness, and then I looked at Buster and lost it. I started crying. So I'm thankful to hear that I'm not the only one that had this myriad of feelings!

[@nburb]

Had the same reaction watching Buster. You could see the moment he realized he has lost his entire family, and it was heartbreaking.

[@barbh1]

We live in a world where people do each other bad. That's why we cry.

[@debbieportera998]

I clearly can’t remember the live shows. I listened to this last night around midnight when I realized that I had missed the live. You guys are so amazing, I really appreciate your presentation style . I was always thought he was guilty. I have even wondered if he paid Cousin Ed, Ed to kill them. It just breaks my heart as a Mother that his family were disposable in his eyes. I had so many emotions. To hear you guys bring humanity, vulnerability along with your on feelings is truly touching . Thank you guys!

[@wjm9987]

Best wishes for a safe and healthy birth!❤ Thanks to both of you for your work on this podcast.

[@shelleyjefferies5817]

This trial was insane, I didn't hear the verdict until I woke up this morning because I'm in England! Great news for the guilty verdict

[@nataliehakman3713]

I just found out 3 hours ago as I’m in Australia but didn’t check til 6pm our time lol

[@michelleshafto4141]

I thought the protector giving the closing arguments was amazing. The whole thing is incredibly sad. I feel bad for Buster. Not only does he no longer have any immediate family, but how does he get away from all the history that will now follow him forever.

[@IjeomaThePlantMama]

Years and years and years of therapy.

[@punkypower8138]

Alex was NOT trying to kill himself. He asked Blanca for a copy of his health insurance card the day of the roadside shooting because he "needed to schedule some routine medical checks". I highly doubt that's a coincidence.

[@MrRangerLab]

Great to hear the ProPo on the verdict.

[@musingsofasouthernbelle]

I agree that Griffin needed to do the Closing and not Harpootlian, but Griffin looked defeated before it even began. Poot, Poot would've just made things worse.

[@nbgilbert]

I thought the defenses closing was abysmal too. I couldn’t believe he was bringing up points that actually made me remember why I thought Alex was guilty. I kept on shaking my head thinking what is he doing? Of course I was glad because I wanted a guilty verdict, but I agree I don’t think he put his all into that closing. Or maybe he did.

[@musingsofasouthernbelle]

What I thought was so chilling, (one of many things), was on the long 911 call when Alex was hysterical and then says, "Here." Then returns to his theatrics on the call. The way he says, "Here," is so chilling. That coupled with the kennel video and this was a wrap 4 weeks ago. My prayers are with Buster. My heart breaks for this young Man who is now void of immediate Family at the hands of his own father. 🕊Maggie🕊Paul🕊

[@Peeved100]

Buster may have his own reckoning coming soon. Check out his possible connection to the death of Stephan Smith in 2015.

[@BellePal]

I also felt surprised at my sadness. Looking at Alex's face, I thought his emotion felt real for the first time.

[@kristin5700]

Thanks so much for your fabulous podcast. Long time listener…first time commenter. Congratulations on your baby, Alice!

[@butterfly_kisses]

Meadors did an Amazing job with his rebuttal closing! He kept everyone awake & sealed the verdict, imo! 💯

[@Su_aSponte]

Omjeans you two are so adorable! Cool to see the faces behind the voices! Love the show.

[@robertaleary202]

You guys are the best!!❤️

[@jarjar0653]

Thanks for this. ❤

[@nbgilbert]

Pretty Lies and Alibi’s with Gigi on KZbin is phenomenal at reporting these true crime stories.

[@uhn-uh-bash-id-lee-k-ran]

Love this channels energy and both of you guys down to earth persona that an average person can appreciate. Guilty verdict = kennel video, alex admitting he was at kennels, family firearms and Moselle visit. IMO.

[@sandygrogg1203]

The Defence closing was so annoying that I could not watch it all. It sounded sleazy, and patronizing.

[@marisapolesky]

I wonder if griffin realized at the end his client's guilt.

[@brendee85]

Best wishes with the new baby, Alice❤️

[@anticlimactic2685]

Griffin came across as depressed

[@lizcunningham1891]

Enjoyed this so much, thank you Brett and a very pregnant Alice, such an interesting evening.

[@sandygrogg1203]

You guys are the best…❤❤

[@MrsDaedalus_]

When it comes to trials like this, I will avoid channels like Law&Crime like the plague. I trust your guy's opinion because you still have a day job in court or had one in Alice´s case. You know how the prosecution work, how the court works and all that. Whereas the legal analysts in Law&Crime are mostly non-practising attorneys and are in media full time.

[@cjfengshui1]

Me too.

[@janecarney-gp2dk]

I love your sign off Al Al and Bro Bro… I was devastated tonight because I realised one of my greyhounds nick names is Buba… didn’t make the connection until I said it to him tonight…. I will forever be reminded now… have to change his nickname 😂

[@claireterry1835]

It started coming apart for him with the boat crash. He was being sued and finances were being demanded and the fraud would have all come to light. I think he was very angry and pissed off with Paul. I also think he resented Maggie.

[@Stelpots]

Yesss I'm surprised more people haven't considered the motive could be that he was really angry at Paul for causing all his trouble. Even Alex said that whoever shot Paul had to be so angry at him.

[@Zephaerie1]

I think we were given a serious insight into this process, especially in a difficult case. I think he 100% did it. I think he was probably on drugs and it’s heartbreaking because he has to face the consequences sober. And the family lost Maggie, Paul and Alex. The family seems fantastic and that makes this so much harder.

[@bianca4931]

I think she said another juror had brought eggs for everyone - so my guess (I have a farm and have chickens and eggs can accumulate quite quickly) is that they were farm fresh eggs :)

[@leighgraw9096]

I completely agree with you, especially about Jim’s closing!

[@anticlimactic2685]

Meadors was fantastic.

[@whiteoutgotu]

"...I'm Al-Al..." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@cjfengshui1]

I hung onto each and every word that you both spoke regarding your belief that he was not only guilty but thought that they would find him guilty. I got really upset when I heard that he might be able to make a lot of money doing documentaries and writing and selling books etc. it also bothers me that you think he will do well because he has money. But, today I heard that SC has the Son of Sam Act which prevents someone like AM from making money from his crime. The whole thing is sad. I was able to move through my relief that justice was done, when the judge spoke about Paul solving his own murder, the tragedy of the whole case hurt. May Maggie and Paul rest in peace. I loved the live and adore both of you! Thank you for coming on to address the verdict etc. Great job!!

[@sandygrogg1203]

I felt relief.., I alwsyys thought he was guilty, but was afraid he would get off.

[@1whocs486]

Congratulations on your new baby... Hugs and prayers 💝🙏

[@Madmarsha]

Great live!

[@LL-jt1xt]

Glad about the verdict but do you think the defence lost it rather than the prosecution won?

[@jessvickery7686]

To motive.... we have no idea what grandpa's estate looked like. What if he had a trust for the grandkids? What if he needed Paul to die before grandpa did so he could get that money. I think he killed Mags because he knew she would figure out who killed Paul Paul in under 30 seconds. I think he knew that would be the secret she wasn't gonna keep.

[@joshstevens1748]

Glad the jury got it right

[@sandygrogg1203]

Hi…there is one young lawyer who was consistently pro Defense. It was really annoying… it will be interesting to see his reaction. He has a pretty big following.

[@aamomii]

Off-topic... Alice you are the cutest!

[@BlessYourHeart254]

This verdict was the end of something Shakespeare couldn’t make up. What a tragedy all around.

[@janetinca4702]

We all saw and heard how emotional Jim Griffin was at the very end of his closing. Is that normal?

[@meganemcnally2069]

also do defense attorneys typically speak to press after they lose? Should we expect to see griffin and harpoo on good morning America?

[@jamiekloer6534]

What I was feeling is something judge pointed out. That his family and him have been putting people in prison for along time. While he has. Been commuting such horrendous crimes. So I felt a certain rage. I have made a lot of mistakes. Am a recovering addict myself. But I would never have been judging others and holding them to account why I was doing wrong.

[@ticomadlynjoing7783]

I felt bad too what a shame that Alec made some wrong decision and with opiods, and very very sad for his son. God bless him and all the family so so tragic.

[@dianasimplifies]

Yeah I think Bob corrected you but Gigi did report that he looked back at Buster and mouthed something like I love you. I guess we couldn’t see it but Gigi was behind Alex and saw it.

[@suzannehutnick3170]

Another juror had brought eggs for all the jurors.

[@jillmcmillen6263]

Who is Bob Matta that Brett mentioned?

[@GlamGam1964]

One of the jurors brought each person eggs from their farm!

[@marmar.s]

The search warrants weren't carried out until 3 months later. The golf cart wasn't tested for anything. There is a lot that could have been done that wasnt

[@bettyboop-xg6jo]

Success has many fathers. You were not so sure on L&C yesterday.

[@ProsecutorsPodcast]

Who is you?

[@bettyboop-xg6jo]

@@ProsecutorsPodcast Mr Motta.

[@marepotts8438]

TY for a great podcast. IMO, Griffin’s closing was bad, maybe too much input from Alex, or Griffin realized after Alex was on the stand and the kennel reveal that Alex was guilty. They were friends and that betrayal crushed him and he lost his passion for this trial.

[@nbgilbert]

The jurors have nothing better to talk about their personal lives in one of the people on the jury had a lot of eggs. I believe that she brought a dozen for each juror in the hall headaches with them.

[@OKbeingdifferent]

Urgh the worst thing, being in the UK and the time difference so I can't watch the lives!!

[@claireterry1835]

Me too!!

[@nbgilbert]

I was elated at the verdict. My first thought was for Maggie’s sister and the other victims of his crimes. The reason why her sister came to mind first was because of her testimony, and then the defenses impugning her. That had to be very difficult. I have very mixed emotions as I am a derivative victim of a brutal murder.

[@jessvickery7686]

I feel like we watched her coming to the realization on the stand. I think that is why she was so compelling.

[@daryle2402]

Fresh eggs from chickens don’t need to be refrigerated until you wash them! That’s probably what she had but who knows lol

[@Horseymama1]

I never believed or ever have weight to another person doing it. These people would have had to turn up at Moselle, a hunting lodge in mid evening with an intention to murder everyone with no weapons. They would had to search for weapons, ammo while Maggie and Paul were there (luckily) and not be seen and still catch Paul and Maggie unawares. It just doesn't fly, even if they had their own guns, Paul and Maggie would have seen and heard them drive up..

[@cjfengshui1]

I wondered if Alec had Eddy shoot him so Alec could say “see someone is out to kill my family “!

[@mirandacharity1812]

You can’t write a book and profit from your crimes.

[@ktburr120]

I get more and more and more sad for buster. I forgot all about Stephen Smith. That's being reopened. Praise Jesus

[@shelleynelson4595]

I just think JG and ole poot aren't that great of lawyers. They're overrated.

[@sandygrogg1203]

GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY!

[@valeriebickford3329]

Then why do prosecuters use dirty tricks just to win? Why not play it straight?

[@lauramczig]

Justice was served but it's just so sad. How many times do you think Alex thought, "this is the last time I'll keep this money"? This caused everything to escalate to the point of annihilation of his own family. Maybe he didn't but he probably did at least a few times over the years. So unnecessary when he already had a pretty lavish lifestyle.

[@musingsofasouthernbelle]

I LOVE YA'LL SOOOOO MUCH 😆🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Barb417]

Did Alice have the baby? The longest pregnancy in history!

[@marmar.s]

I didn't watch every minute of the trial, but I really don't think enough evidence was presented for a guilty verdict.

[@jamiekloer6534]

Listen to the jail house call between Alex and jim. Think he was tired of dealing with Alex and his lies. Sled didn’t do a perfect job because they did not focus from fi at min on alex. Missed opertunities. I had hard time with them blaming police when it was the fact that a wall of lawyers, alex manipulation of time line and evidence was why it wasn’t perfect

[@meganemcnally2069]

But didn’t he have to testify to explain why he was on the kennel video? Everyone knew that was him. If he hadn’t testified could the attorneys on his behalf admit it was him in the video? Someone explain

[@OwnedbyCorgis]

I’ve had overwhelming sadness all weekend and I hate Alex murdaugh. The thought of the fall is just sad on a basic human level for anyone with feelings. I hate the liar and he disgusts me but I’m so sorry for everyone including him! Surprised me.

[@hellcat8137]

I don’t know that I would call someone who physically abused his girlfriend a “genuinely good kid.” But to be fair, from the info available Alex and Maggie were NOT good parents. Paul and Buster were both entitled little shits but with how they were patented it would have been unlikely the boys turned out any different.

[@marmar.s]

Uh, I think it was a shoddy investigation. There is no time of death because the coroner or ME (whomever) didn't properly check. He stuck his hands in the arm pit! He didn't want to use a thermometer because he didn't want to embarrass the deceased!

[@barbh1]

I just listened to Spare by the former Prince Harry. The odd thing was Harry and Paul had a lot in common. Both members of dynasties that they never asked for and were not particularly suited for. Harry was even a ginger and killed hogs like Paul. In both of those men, the people who should have protected and guided them did them so bad. Harry is still alive and well and happy in Santa Barbara, but Paul...

[@jcarroll135]

Also, guys I feel bad for the family too.. then I remember how we got here!! These members of the family you're talking about will very quickly be out there telling the world, Alex is innocent, hes the victim the judge failed, ect.... that great grandfather yall keep talking about who tragically died in a train wreck, its pretty commonly understood that he parked his car there on purpose smiled waved and died... the family knowing that still sued that company to ruins and to this day will.defend the things they did to win it. They can not see any failure or admit fault This tiny town had this man stealing millions and no one knew anything... really?? Yall know better right??? Lol the victims were probably the ONLY people who didn't know what these ppl were up to!!

[@shaestewart5261]

I am no attorney, of course, but I do have a few lay person observations. They are mostly regarding aspects of the defendant’s circumstances the defense could have used to their advantage much more. Likewise, there were definitely a few missed opportunities concerning the closing and other areas in which the defense could have made Alex Murdaugh seem much more sympathetic. Brett and the guest mentioned they thought the defense should have/could have made more of the defendant’s suicide attempt as a way to show how much he cared for his remaining son and the extremes he (Alex) was willing to go to in order to take care of his son Buster (e.g. suicide as murder plot). The problem I have with this is that, because.SLED had such tunnel vision regarding the perpetrator of Maggie and Paul’s murders, the minute Alex died, I believe SLED would have stopped investigating his wife and son’s murders. From SLED’s perspective, there would be no reason to as the murderer was dead and, thus, beyond worldly punishment. I think the other attorneys would ultimately have realized this as well. Not to mention the fact that they had no other possible perpetrator/s to put forward in Murdaugh’s place. Unfortunately, if everything went to plan as Alex hoped, Buster might be in a better financial position, but protecting his fiscal future would mean the victims from whom Alex stole settlement money would have no recourse for justice because there would be no money left for them. This does not look good for Alex at all. Frankly, in my humble opinion, the ability to seek justice for Maggie and Paul, as well as making sure there are ways and means for Alex‘s other victims to seek justice, far outweighs anything that could be said about Alex‘s love/attempt to protect Buster’s future. Now, here’s where I think the defense really missed the boat. They spent far too much time trying to protect and rein in Alex‘s addiction issues when they totally could’ve used them to their advantage. For one, they could have shared the observation that Alex’s continual waterworks may look over the top to some, but he is coming out of years of emotions that were completely numbed by his severe and extreme opioid addiction. Now that he is getting control of his addiction, he’s starting to feel things for the first time in a very long time. He is also feeling them very acutely due to the rebound effect opioids tend to have on all functions; everything is more severe for a while when the opioids are removed from the system. No wonder the emotions seem so extreme and so raw. Furthermore, I have no idea why the defense did not put back to back experts on the stand, pounding the aspects of addiction, particularly opioid addiction, that leave people completely soulless; as well as the depression and the severe post acute withdrawal that occurs after the drugs leave the body. Alex talked about it a bit. He talked about his fear of withdrawals, and this may have been brought up elsewhere, but why not have multiple experts discuss not only the physiology of withdrawal, but also have them support and reinforce Alex’s claims of how extremely terrible opioid addiction including withdrawals and the intensity of recovery so the jury is not just hearing it from the defendant…who will say anything to cover his butt. Moreover, the opioid epidemic affects this country far and wide. I have no doubt that every single juror has been touched by the opioid epidemic in one way or another; some more than others, of course. So why not use it as a way to help the jury relate to Alex? Remind them that they undoubtedly had/have loved ones who were once lovely, normal folks…but, unfortunately, due to opioids, behaviors such as lying, cheating, stealing, etc. have become their way of life. Find a way to demonstrate that, though Alex is wealthy and a pillar of the community, even he is powerless in the face of opioid addiction. This is a situation on which almost everyone can find common ground and feel both sympathy and empathy. Yet, the defense took the very old-fashioned approach of trying to minimize it; they brushed it it under the rug, thinking Alex’s addiction would be used against him as opposed to being seen as a point of connection and familiarity. In my opinion, not using this to their full advantage was a huge mistake.

[@jerrymarbury9365]

The "court channel "is a sicken soap opera with a poor script and lousy actors,unwatchable and embarrassing. They dare not give you 2 a segment to offset the juveniles.

[@barbaraannie5271]

Like most people who followed the trial, I believed without any doubt he killed his wife and son, and I believed it because of the evidence and from the first interview I believed he was lying, and that was before it was proved he lied about events an innocent person would not lie about, if they didn't commit these crimes. His deceptive tactic to "appear " cooperative" was as transparent as it gets. As far as the amount of channels that took the position that the case was weak, or the state did a poor job is due to what I refer to a sheep wave mentality, and it didn't start with this case, won't end here. these outlets look at what information is trending and step in line with what everyone else is saying. I dont know what trial these people were watching, but the evidence he committed these crimes was strong and presented as well as it could have been given the complexity of the case to be sure a clear picture was painted as to how we got here. The state did an excellent job imo, CW did his best work in closing. He was able to effectively summarize the crimes, who AM was, why he killed them, how he killed them, and how he tried to cover it up , in about 3 hours, it was powerful and the slew of outlets that were reporting otherwise, however they reached that opinion, certainly wasn't looking at the same trial the rest of us were, nor were or are looking at the events leading up to the trial. Just because no one saw him do it, most criminals will avoid that, does not mean he didn't do it. The circumstantial evidence bridged with common sense screamed he did, and thank God the jury was mindful and attentive enough to see that and arrived at a just verdict. Most recently you see a similar behavior coming out of a lot of these outlets on various platforms, as far as the trending theory or opinion goes, in the Idaho murder case. One after another they fell in line with each other and shredded, insulted, and completely disrespected and without any basis, labeled Idaho LE as incompetent for not having someone in custody fast enough It was a disgusting display of ignorance as I see it, and as it turned out, they had there guy early on, and although I don't watch or subscribe to these witch hunt channels, I'm guessing not a one made a formal apology to LE for the unwarranted bashing. Im equally sure with this just verdict in the AM case, they'll clean the egg off their faces snd move on to the next trending opinion. In the case of AM justice has been delivered to Maggie and Paul, they can now rest in peace knowing that.

[@kathyg4724]

I love the drill down n analysis that’s not typical But pls cut out the starting chit chat. It’s so irritating to keep fwd’ing

[@CW1971]

I love Alice and Brett's chit chat

[@ProsecutorsPodcast]

We will never change anything we do.

[@CW1971]

@@bubbles7173 I LOVE the intro music

[@adriel7229]

Most podcast hosts and YTers have a friendly, casual intro. At least these two are very likeable. Most of their listeners want to be their friends and join in. Guess you'll never please everybody.

[@YourLatexSpouse]

And it’s for this, my favorite reason, for enjoying you both! Do not change A THING! ​@@ProsecutorsPodcast

[@TheXmeimei]

Same as Jodi Arias, a life-without-paral is a more torturous punishment. Before the murder, she did have a life, a very socially exciting viberiant life, being hit-on by a ton of guys, dates, parties, booz sex and drugs ... now she's rotten in prison, for the rest of her life！Every night, lying awake in bed, or every waking moment of the day, you just CAN'T escape this cold dark cruel reality, that the only way you can ever leave this prison cell is in a body bag, cold and stiff! Close your eyes, think about that 'life'.