Alex Murdaugh Judge Shuts Down Defense’s Bid to Limit Rebuttal Witnesses

“This has got to stop,” Alex Murdaugh’s attorney Richard Harpootlian proclaimed after asking the judge to limit prosecutors’ rebuttal witnesses. Judge Clifton Newman ruled in favor of the state, claiming the case is “so complex” he has to handle witnesses and issues on a case-by-case basis.
#AlexMurdaugh #MurdaughMurders #LawAndCrime
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[@lindawade4ok639]

Well it takes a lot of rebuttal witnesses to counter the testimony of a guy who can lie for 16 hours straight on a stand

[@70sladyalways25]

That’s the truth! I’ve always heard you can’t outtalk a liar. The state’s just seeking to keep up with and expose all those lies.

[@lindamahrer7067]

LINDA WADE...LOL ...well said...

[@lindamahrer7067]

@@70sladyalways25 yes, and today they sure exposed the whole kettle of fish...

[@kenteague4802]

What is this guy trying to hide

[@ninaappelt9001]

Murdaugh didn't have to testify for 16 hours if he hadn't lied for 15. All his lies unraveling took some time to sort out.

[@martyevans8162]

This Judge rules his courtroom with an iron fist in a velvet glove ....... always calm, never hostile BUT firm & clear in his address to the attorneys, jury, courtroom, etc. He listens patiently & respectfully to each attorney & allows them to speak to him without any interruptions. Our Judicial system needs more like him.

[@christineoleary3862]

Harpootlian likes to tell the Jusge what to do. Judge not having it.

[@lauracarlson8759]

Harpo nice try 🤣

[@Highland_Moo]

This Judge is a credit to himself and South Carolina.

[@pihalcott7066]

Absolutely!

[@jotarogers]

Defense cannot present an entirely new story from Alex and not expect more rebuttal witnesses.

[@cq9882]

Exactly

[@MellowAlchemist]

Thank You! Manipulation at it's finest!

[@kangacrew540]

Waste of time. It's differing opinions . The jury should make up there own mind. The shooting as hooper pooper says is good but a slinging match between the pathology experts. Fmd poor jury.

[@TheHolden1998]

Word. Up.

[@debbiejones2738]

This judge is a joy to watch. Thank you Judge Clifton Newman for allowing justice to guide your decisions and not "time".

[@arthurj2520]

I am impressed with him. I watched his ruling on Cr 403 evidence. The man is a student of the law.

[@PowerOfTheP]

Well phrased✨✨

[@freddylong156]

He really is

[@paulaxxxx7446]

I love this judge and his calm and non biased response.

[@Ohsolovely2]

He has to-this is being broadcasted to the world. He has to be on his best behavior;or the media will come after him.

[@robertafierro5592]

I like him too. Let's ser what happens and then I'll really decide!

[@deedeedavidson8193]

The judge is a very smart experienced professional...His behavior does not come into play..Either you know your busines or you don't He does, behavior is not even considered here ..

[@loriwhinery3210]

I love this judge, he’s very soft spoken but also strong in his judgements.

[@ginxxxxx]

"i just have to deal with it" best quote from a judge rocking in his big chair ever.

[@mthomas3547]

His demeanor is very effective.

[@carmenyoung1148]

I want him in the Supreme Court!

[@elfenmaus1440]

And not korrupt

[@cococharney1170]

So happy this judge is shutting down all of the defense’s notions to control the narrative by not presenting all of the evidence at hand.

[@patriciachianelli7507]

This judge is so wise, a good listener and decision maker as are many other judges but I find this judge very special. Just love and respect him so much.

[@ginxxxxx]

"im surprise by the number of witnesses" ...and the trail goes into week 7 but there is more to come ... and why not, usa money is digitally printing anyways (no one important pays taxes).

[@IceWataJ3]

Exactly. He’s a wonderful judge

[@samjohns3227]

Me too...

[@lanacmurphy]

I think the judge almost felt that humorous that the defense was trying to order him. Lol

[@Mulcahy22]

How ridiculous of this defence attorney trying to tell the judge how to run his court. This guy needs to retire.

[@Cmss2807]

Exactly….to tell a judge in his court room what to do is a big no, no. I like this judge, very professional.

[@sloan_005]

He’s a Democratic SC Senator, not like he has nothing else to do.

[@PRAYBOEN]

@@sloan_005 State Senator

[@denisesalles7248]

And get off the bottle.

[@AliRadicali]

I think he overstated his case a little, but in most cases, with most judges, you have to be bold and assertive as a trial lawyer. The judge isn't going to do either side's job for them, so if they don't raise an objection the other side gets their way uncontested. The judge sustained plenty of objections from the defense that I found iffy, which just goes to show you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

[@PhillyFan493]

“Bring the Jury”! Love this Judge!!

[@carolsmart238]

Glad to see the Judge stay firm to the proceedings & not allow the defense attorney to run the trial! Love it!🤗

[@runninggreywolf8313]

Love this judge. He takes these cases very seriously and not putting up with much shenanigans from defense.

[@beeebreeezy]

Judge Newman is THE REAL MVP no doubt!!!

[@sapiosexualchick3119]

I love the judge!!!!

[@bgsntn]

Thank Goodness this Judge rules His own Court and not be swayed by fast talking Harpo and his pleas

[@connieo3618]

"HARPO" too funny!

[@rochelles5076]

YES!!!

[@susangowin8763]

Defense does not want prosecutors witnesses to be the last people the jury hears before they begin deliberations.

[@ailleananaithnid2566]

That’s not determined by the defense.

[@mikemartinez2857]

Is it not law the state gets the final say

[@stevehartwell1861]

The defense doesn't want their BS refuted.

[@carlobody8143]

Murdaugh killed his wife and son,if he gets not guilty,then he will still have to live with the horror of what he's done until and beyond his own death

[@tooterooterville]

Defense apparently has already told their expert pathologist that he may leave and go home and stop charging for his services. My personal opinion is that the defense pathologist was a little too obviously biased to suggest there were two shooters because "you just don't bring two guns to a murder". That's got to be biggest pile of B.S. I've ever heard.

[@therose5783]

If the defense wants to speed up the trial, they should stop asking so many questions trying to get answers they want.

[@SS11660]

And harpootlian making speeches all the time

[@rhondasajjadieh7791]

Defense should shut up and sit down! He’s beyond washed up

[@samjohns3227]

and should recommend to the defendant that they don't lie!!!

[@korluwolobah-kuyon5321]

I like this judge! He stays so cool, calm and collected!

[@justthatgirl-ct4jo]

I like this judge. He's a no nonsense, to the point type of person.

[@TheOtherBolynGirl101]

Agreed! He’s wonderful.

[@louisehicks3285]

This judge is a jewel. He is measured and far more intellectual than the majority of attorneys in that room. And he definitely seems to have the defense lawyer's number.

[@jotarogers]

Defense: “We have a right to surrebuttal.” Judge: “A right, sir?” Defense: “At the court’s discretion.” 😂

[@ktimmons50]

The state just said the same thing.

[@CH-mu6kf]

Defense ..He’s a bully

[@thetdchannel]

Defense meant they have the right to reply. The law prevents the State, who has unlimited resources to keep retrying the case-and most certainly without citizens having the full opportunity to defend themselves from the State. If this did not exist, citizens would be powerless against the State.

[@ImaITman]

They do have a right, and for all our sakes you better hope that no more power is given to judges than they already have. A judge literally has the power to end a life both physically and metaphorically (in some states). It's already well beyond what their job was originally supposed to be in the design of this country.

[@theress9063]

Lol

[@mouthymama7032]

Harpo wants to Control everything , his tone of voice towards the judge , UGH

[@ailleananaithnid2566]

Anything less can be malpractice.

[@MellowAlchemist]

​@@ailleananaithnid2566 Malpractice was representing Alex.

[@SS11660]

And Griffin too! Thinks he should get away with everything.

[@robinspicher2924]

Maybe tarpon would just like to become a judge then he can run a shot show if that is what he wants.

[@robinspicher2924]

Should be Harpo but I kind of like tarpon. Lol

[@Loiichi]

Clifton Newman is the judge’s name, he’s not “AM’s judge.” He’s Clifton Newman, the judge overseeing the case.

[@rhondasajjadieh7791]

And this amazing wise judge has seen it all and he knows AM is guilty as sin

[@Loiichi]

@@rhondasajjadieh7791 I agree!

[@melrenaud8512]

This guy is amazing, his calm and know's what is doing. Judge Clifton Newman, that chair fits you good !

[@avejaly8065]

Judge was like " you are not teaching me anything new, man. "

[@ashleyyy1]

This poor judge deserves a nice long vacation after this❤️

[@overit6969]

Right before the trial began, the judge had a son pass away. Maybe this trial is helping him get through that.

[@Frankygoestohull1]

He’s not poor nor is he a victim

[@lindat3607]

Wonder how many experts the defense paid until they found the one that worked with their story? I don't give much credence to paid for experts.

[@sloan_005]

Harpootlian is having a bad, bad day. Maybe he can sit next to Alex and they pretend cry together. Share the dry tissues. 🙄

[@lillyq361]

If he's tired of all this, he shouldn't have taken the case 😆

[@s1m0ne777]

😂😂

[@Virus-xm7qc]

Sounds like he’s AFRAID of the Doctor 😮😮😮

[@shirleyjensen417]

Judge Newman rocks!!!

[@jimw1615]

This is exactly what a jury "loves"; a defense attorney who wants them to have less information to make a decision that is going to affect another person for the rest of their life.

[@alasdairblackmore2592]

I don't believe the defense team is arguing about the witness testimony ... I believe he is complaining because he didn't factor in a 6 week trial when he agreed to take the case for a set fee and imagined it would only take 3 weeks.

[@SS11660]

And probably has another big case waiting

[@alasdairblackmore2592]

@@SS11660 : $3M divided by 3 weeks = $1M per week $3M divided by 6 weeks = $500,000 per week Lawyers are paid a basic salary plus Bonuses.

[@conditionallyunconditional5691]

Defense behaves like defendant has executive privileges. The judge isn't taking any trash.

[@grandma2568]

Love this judge❤

[@PH_1964]

I love this Judge and wish him all the best. He's so strong after losing his son so suddenly.

[@lindahouston5635]

I like this judge! He's not going to be pushed around!

[@christyforester4675]

So where was AM’s runny snot during all of his various interviews before the trial?? Seems like a faucet is turned on when he ACTUALLY cries!!

[@reginaknapp2412]

The defense is grasping at straws. They are demeaning to witnesses, they are arrogant in their requests/demands of the judge. Thankfully, this judge is never rattled, never shows anger, and is always fair-minded. Defense should be ashamed.

[@mthomas3547]

He makes me laugh just watching him. He's thinking, "I see, well, It is still up to me as to how I will proceed, but I'm willing to listen."

[@rhondasajjadieh7791]

They are not ashamed…. They are the good ole boy bullies … it’s the only way they’ve ever won anything !!! Certainly they have zero talent as attorneys

[@Monica_R_M]

The almighty dollar blinds those snakes to shame.

[@MrsCdA1]

Good Ol' boy Harpootlian is just as offensive as Alex. He really does think that his opinion holds far more weight than any one else!

[@MrsBooklover55]

I think they were in on alot of things dishonest together.

[@Hrithmus]

The defense is just worried the state gets the final witnesses. Assume they would be worried the jury will remember this as the last thing said. Assume it’s random who goes first and last at the end? No idea

[@GH-oi2jf]

The prosecution goes last, in questioning witnesses and in closing arguments.

[@SS11660]

This has got to stop??? Who is he to say that to judge !!!! Of course he doesn't want jury to hear rebuttal to his hired experts ridiculous claims.

[@WonderWhatHappened]

This court is preventing Harpootlian from his nap time.

[@lillyq361]

Yeah, it's time for him to retire 😆

[@s1m0ne777]

😂

[@tekkhero9767]

”And with that, I say BRAANG the jury!” Haha 😂

[@bamazing2731]

Looololol

[@ailleananaithnid2566]

It is all about creating a record. It’s counsel’s job to zealously represent a client’s interests. Objections on either side are “use it or lose it.” It’s not counsel’s job to make friends with the witnesses or to stroke the ego of the judge. If I am there representing a party, my SOLE objective is to represent that party. It’s legal malpractice to fail to raise and objection you want to rely on later on appeal. I can’t go back later and raise an issue i didn’t preserve by raising it at trial. These trials involve real people. Their lives are on the line. Their actions might be strange or odd to the observer but a lot of this is just standard procedure. 🤷

[@beeebreeezy]

Cool as a 🥒

[@rhondasajjadieh7791]

Love and much respect for this judge !!!

[@bobe3250]

Your honor that's not allowed in our good ol boys club of lawyers. When a lawyer is on trial we reserve our right to go easy on him. Capeesh?

[@rachelpreston4872]

I don’t have much experience watching trials and I know very little about the process but even I, with my limited understanding, can recognize that this judge is wise and fair in his decision making.

[@randyboisa6367]

Alex called his son "paw paw" Hardened inmate at state pen will be telling Alex "I LOVE IT WHEN YOU CALL ME BIG PAW PAW!"

[@tiffanymaxwell4179]

Wisdom… has spoken! (bring the jury in)💅🏻

[@bbrcummins1984]

The defense drags out every witness

[@timferguson6455]

Defense lawyers are starting to lose money when the case goes on. They are ready for it to be over and get more money on appeals.

[@christyforester4675]

Motive- AM was Maggie’s sole heir!! Had he not been caught, he would’ve inherited her estate.

[@Seashellsbytheseashore21]

He put properties in her name, but she was actually not a very well off person prior to marrying him, and she did not work. He made a million a year and I suspect he put the properties in her name for tax purposes. I did think that the properties were a motive at the beginning, but that theory went out the window for me when it was found out that he actually couldn’t get loans as easily once she was dead.

[@glamrockgoldenfreddy3756]

I hope Alex didn't pay this guy alot cuz he is not doing a good job 😂

[@hannakhan3982]

Sometimes it seems as if he does things deliberately, maybe he wants Alex to go down too.

[@Monica_R_M]

@@hannakhan3982 Good point and I’ll send that “expert” witness a thank you card.

[@lynnhoffman247]

$8M for his defense team

[@hannakhan3982]

@@lynnhoffman247 Really?? Wow

[@lynnhoffman247]

@@hannakhan3982 Yes, I heard today that it’s being paid for out of his IRA funds. Emily D. Baker talked about it this morning or afternoon…can’t remember (I had a long morning topped off with a 4 hour drive and was listening to her KZbin channel while working & then driving.)

[@bellpeppergreen8602]

Alex murdered them good run the bill up on the defense

[@FlyWithMe_666]

1:00 “Right to??” 😂 Attorney like a schoolboy “Oopsy”

[@tesserene]

Kudos to the Judge!

[@lesleywatkins1172]

I like this Judge, I’ve watched a few of his cases!

[@bbrcummins1984]

Judge ain't playing no games with the defenses BS

[@pihalcott7066]

I do believe this judge is of good stature and excellent at what he does. I doubt he would play games with the prosector or the defense. Calm demeanor, speaks thoroughly and looks like he can’t be bought. You are so right it is Defense BS

[@amycoffin826]

This defense attorney is an entitled whiner.

[@theresalafar96]

I wonder if people are as turned off by Harpootian as I am. I find him obnoxious.

[@melodycool9525]

How unsettling though that all of these 'experts' opinions are completely different. Unless it costs upwards of $600 an hour to sell your soul and just say what you're asked to say.

[@truman368]

Yea there’s people who just testify for a living

[@cheesehead4670]

That’s exactly what they do. In my opinion, if you get paid to give your “opinion” at trial but that “option” is given to you by the defense in the form of green paper then you aren’t a credible witness. If that makes sense. 🤣🤣

[@juleswick]

I always thought they hired the “best person” for their case…I can’t recall a time when I’ve seen an expert sit on the stand and blatantly contradict or go against the team they are working for so to speak?

[@rainstorm571]

For $600 an hour, I’ll sell my soul. But all jokes aside people need to be paid a job is a job

[@wendyhenschel.]

That is the name of the game.

[@sopi4]

AM soll einfach nur die Wahrheit sagen.... dann ersparen wir uns den ganzen Prozess.

[@GH-oi2jf]

It was not a contact wound, but whichever it was, it was a fatal wound. That is what matters.

[@sonewhite6778]

This judge is eating every bit of this up!! 😂😂😂

[@HellavaLive]

They are refreshing the jurors ! Good play !

[@misterwallace3479]

This judge KNOWS AM is guilty. Heck, anyone with a brain knows he's guilty.

[@GeistView]

Wonder if Alex if found not guilty will go on a quest to find who killed his family and spare no expense in that quest?

[@catherinemelnyk]

The judge is absolutely right. Never before has there been a case that is so very complicated and covering so very many issues. "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first (or begin) to deceive".

[@rumple7551]

The iron clad defence. Judge we dont need to hear any more testimony from experts showing our last minute evidence is obviously wrong. gosh, how dare they lol

[@user-pv7rv4ob6f]

Love this judge! …and we that “bring the jury” ❤

[@kellysaunooke740]

I really enjoy Judge Newman.He is calm and layed back.He is fair and doesn't placate the defense who are insufferable .

[@r.patriciaashkanani7980]

evil Murdaugh

[@earth0128]

The judge runs a tight ship, respect 👍

[@sabineliebehenz4492]

I love this judge.

[@rollbamaroll6518]

Harpootlian knew what his PAID “expert” was going to testify to in regards to the INDEPENDENT pathologist. He could have asked her about skin tags etc. he didn’t bc he wanted to sneak that by and thought the prosecution wouldn’t have a rebuttal witness to explain the paid lies away.

[@jeanthornell5001]

Know your place when you are in court room and the judge is a honest and non committed person of the Murdaugh clan. Don’t try bending rules to fit your own narrative or beliefs. Get a grip and take it as it goes. Murdaugh family has no hold over judge. T G 🙏🙏🙏💕.

[@lexiaaforever437]

I Love how he’s calm but he’s a No Nonsense Man! That’s right Judge Clifton🙌🏽 You said you have the “RIGHT?” 😂

[@manfredseidler1531]

I'm a retired maintenance man and it seems to me that the law can have precedence over truth. Can a murderer go free if the procedure in the courtroom was botched?

[@martinsmith6049]

Innocents gett life too... one defence lawyer got threatened by a cartel and a little Indian guy is serving life after the toad dl offered no defence.

[@GH-oi2jf]

US trial procedure is a good system, but imperfect.

[@dr.g3860]

If the appellate court finds that the trial judge made a mistake, the defendant gets a new trial but doesn’t go free.

[@AquariumAficionado]

For example in my case the cops pulled me over but cannot convict me with the felony charges they claim. As their only evidence was gained from a falsified traffic stop. There’s tons of ways to botch a trial once you’re in court. Some legal mishaps. Some illegal tactics.

[@manfredseidler1531]

@@AnotherOpinionatedIdiot Thanks for your and others who responded. I came from Germany and have served in the US Navy... our system does try to be without fault and I believe that our system is far better than anything else I've seen in my travels. The ultimate test we all face is when we stand before God

[@scottboys4js]

I mean you opened the door for the rebuttals

[@thevictorianedge5465]

Love Judge Newman!!!!!!!

[@mattw5840]

This judge is soo coool

[@faylestock4086]

Harputtlian: there were one shooter: Alex is the one who did it! GUILTY!

[@Jean-qu1qw]

There were not 2 shooters he set it up to look that way...

[@Seashellsbytheseashore21]

Okay. How do you think he killed them so fast / cleaned up so fast then? 4 min. Genuinely I just don’t see it

[@MrsBooklover55]

@r d because he's lying about how long the ride was, dinner was and everything else he said they did. He killed them earlier probably, as it was said exact time of death couldn't really be determined.

[@joantinker1693]

He couldn't have killed them earlier. They were both alive on the kennel video at about 8:45.

[@MrsBooklover55]

@Joan Tinker true. But he still had more time to get prepared to kill.

[@evajelliffe1154]

Love this Judge

[@d.gjochimsen9725]

Quit your whining. It's not going to fly.. if your case is so great you would not care if it's 2 or 7 witnesses. Get them on the stand and get it over.

[@bryanrussell6679]

This is one of the things that I hate about our legal system. Arguing about how much information the jury can hear. The jury should know the whole story.

[@LULU-wn4ng]

Sooo happy to see this judge was not already bought by AM 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@bellpeppergreen8602]

Keep this going

[@j.d.-alawyerexplains5064]

Jeez, Senator. Sit your butt down. You're not doing your client any favors.

[@joycewilliams1755]

I love you judge. Shut the bulldog down and brangggg the jury!

[@jay4you853]

The jury is entitled to as much information as possible to make the right decision. The defense is just eager to wrap up...weird.

[@teaberrywmn]

The length of the trial should have nothing to do with this case. The motives of both the defense and the state are obvious. The state has to reveal all the evils AM is capable of, whether regarding to addiction, stealing money from innocent clients, or murderous intent. The defense has to create reasonable doubt. IMO the state has a bigger mountain to climb than the defense and should be allowed all the time they need. A murderer cannot be let off no matter how long it takes.

[@frankiebailey5749]

i love this judge

[@mthomas3547]

Boy, just watching this Defense, I've learned a lot! As long as you can attempt to prevent truth, and as long as you are willing to punch holes in it, you might have a case.

[@ninaappelt9001]

Alex and his merry little band of lawyers get taken down every time.

[@aportman58]

I know I have stated it multiple times but I love this Judge!!!

[@eloiselamons1454]

Guilty, Guilty , Guilty.

[@roxannemccoy4329]

The defense team should donate their fees to Alex's victims. More money wasted on this disgraced lawyers trial

[@theress9063]

Love this judge

[@mjweaver2764]

This judge has let the prosecution do whatever they want. None of the financial information should have been let in. Now he's going to let them enter a second case after the defense has rested.

[@Lucienne-zz1sw]

Thanks for your comment. Coming from the UK, this is the clear intimation, that there is favouritism to the prosecution. The police and law enforcement clearly did a very inadequate investigation, omitting major testing issues, so it is not evident why the accused was arrested at all. In England, it would be most irregular and inappropriate to let the case include consideration of AM's alleged financial misconduct in what is supposed to be a double murder case, and before any of the cases relating to alleged financial misconduct have even been tried. Truly shocking. It has also drawn the case out far too long and will have served to confuse and probably seriously annoy the jury, the members of which will be able to see through the prosecution's unconvincing motive argument. I was a juror some years ago on a serious case in England, at a crown court (one of the highest courts). The prosecution wasted about two days or over blathering on about an issue that should have been covered in fifteen minutes, thereby wasting extensive court time, and that was inappropriate. The jurors were very annoyed by this manipulative approach that did not help the case at all.

[@joantinker1693]

Actually, the Financials weren't going to be allowed but the defense opened the door for them to be admitted as evidence. That's why this case won't be overturned on appeal based on the admission of this evidence.