The Alex Murdaugh Murder Trial, Explained in Five Minutes | WSJ

Former South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh is set to go on trial, accused of murdering his wife and son in 2021. WSJ’s Valerie Bauerlein explains what you need to know about the case.
Photo Illustration: Ryan Trefes
#Murdaugh #Trial #WSJ

[@jst4horses1]

I thank you for this straight forward description of a case which touches so much of what troubles every state, and our nation, as the need for both a need for FREE justice and also reform of all accused and the issues of allowing anyone to become above the law to create this situation.

[@radvibes]

But this state is an especially weird state...I live in SC. No hate crime laws in place and mucho predjudice is rampant.

[@FLOWER-rl7nh]

IT IS NOT THE STATE...IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WEIRD ,SOME ARE NARCISSISTS WHO THINK THEIR WORD IS FINAL!

[@johnllewlyndavies222]

He was an addict - there's your problem.

[@CS_Sardine]

@@FLOWER-rl7nh IT'S NOT THE PEOPLE, IT'S THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CAPSLOCK KEY!

[@radvibes]

@@FLOWER-rl7nh The people make the state...no?

[@wyattbrowning9989]

I guess the key question is. "Why would he commit a murder too cover up fraud" This is nuts!

[@independentRestorationServices]

Yeah, seems a little crazy but apparently the son was potentially on the hook for killing someone (accidentally). In his father’s eyes that would have essentially rendered his son a disappointment. So at that point it was about protecting his fortune and his legacy which was not possible with his son in the picture.

[@peachylady]

It happens more than you think.

[@gemmag.2988]

Could be Rich. Nothing wd surprise me about the powerful and wealthy. Sad.

[@SS11660]

And Alex was stealing from his clients settlements. He doesn't care about anyone but himself.

[@charlotteroberts4052]

Him and his wife weren't living together she was living on Edisto beach and she hired someone to look at their finances his son was ruining the family name I'm from Walterboro SC colleton county we're the trial is being held same place where kamaya mobley found after being stolen from the hospital at birth 20 years later

[@13bravo562]

I swear to God I had no idea who the Murdock family was until a couple days ago.

[@kaiokenkamikaze21]

Same

[@nuckingfuts3017]

Yep not until this trial

[@bigthunder7002]

You found out a year before I

[@user-zj8dn3vv5z]

are you from se south carolina?

[@katet2696]

This is the best quick description I’ve ever seen. Amazing!

[@dianahill5116]

Interesting and informative. Thank you.

[@anncain2432]

Fantastic look into this family and Alex's thought process. The best I've seen presented and I've watched 15 or so.

[@stoonookw]

This is great reporting!

[@ruthferguson7175]

The judge is said to be a close friend to!

[@peachylady]

I doubt it. It would be a conflict of interest. Source?

[@sanseverything900]

The same family having such influence in the same court for generations just seems so wrong to me. Its like if the position of head surgeon of a hospital was always held by the same family. It just reeks of corruption.

[@jedensnow1084]

This is why I try to live in cities like New York or San Francisco. Pretty difficult for large police departments in dense cities to not be straight.

[@aaronyukon9680]

Exactly, same reason employers ask if the applicant has kin working there. Conflict of interest, favoratism

[@seekittycat]

It also reeks of mental illness, just kids having insane pressure to be the same as their parents. How else can you maintain a string of lawyers for multiple generations? Where the family image is more important then their well being and they're not allowed to seek help. Where academic excellence is everything and cheating/stealing/killing isn't a big deal if you can maintain that family image.

[@JM-ot8ux]

@@aaronyukon9680 There's a Texas sheriff's office that made it plain they would only hire Southern Baptists. One reason why I hate Texas.

[@archangelvvv]

right

[@lucaroy4069]

“Everyone knows the murdaughs” *me sitting here clueless about who they are*

[@jchi9341]

Excellent analysis. I hope the prosecutor is experienced enough.

[@steveyountz9184]

Valerie......Your usual excellent distillation of a very complex scenario. Really miss your reporting of the events here in Columbia, especially now that the circus is back in town.....or is that session.

[@kateskeys]

Really?

[@Dad-979]

I love her bookshelf

[@fray-roe1715]

Alec Murdock? If that's the real pronunciation, you can't blame me if I suck at spelling.

[@FinancialShinanigan]

Looking forward to the Netflix special

[@waynejohnson1786]

Yea it could be one of the best true crime documentaries of all time if done right.

[@brookegodbold7532]

There is lots of misinformation in the Netflix documentary

[@waynejohnson1786]

@@brookegodbold7532 I haven’t watched it yet but almost every time I’m debating someone who thinks he’s guilty, they just tell me to “watch the documentary and you’ll see” so that makes me think it’s pretty biased. I just find it funny because I’ve been watching the actual trial but some people think a documentary will convince me of his guilt despite the fact the prosecution can’t even do so 😂

[@that_goth_bitch3899]

I know this is slightly off topic but I'm just curious How can they be sure the people on the jury are even telling the truth about not knowing or having never heard of him? Like, what do they do to try and make sure?

[@Z3R0US]

Backgrounds areas where they love family friends neighbors they question all

[@BlessednFree]

Take an oath if ever found out that even one juror is a fraud it can be a cause for verdict to be thrown out and retried with new juror I think not sure. Not a legal expert lol

[@titledworld8393]

People don’t really gain anything from lying about that.

[@deviantmoore9744]

​@@BlessednFreeYou're right.

[@sm0kyb0nez]

Walterboro is a VERY crooked town. Lived their for 20 years unfortunately…

[@kateskeys]

Smoky Bonez - love your name. And I hear you. I lived in Chattanooga and Charlotte. Hated them both. Especially Chattanooga. Now I’m flat broke in NYC but I love it here.

[@Redbeardedbadass]

If ANY town is crooked it’s because of people like him. I’m not saying he is guilty though. I actually believe he is innocent

[@drmode]

Ambulance Chaser Lawyers are the worst, and he takes the cake.

[@sayana880]

In this family everyone is a killer . Paul killed the girl on the boat, Maggie kill the housekeeper, Alex kill the son and wife , and the big brother kill the guy on the road.. horrible 😕

[@sonia68ish]

All six of those kids were responsible for the Murder on the boat every one of them had a hand in that they should’ve stopped it they were too busy enjoying the money boat partying

[@rockettcassia]

@@sonia68ish I’m sorry is there more than one steering wheel?? Yes they weren’t supposed to be drinking but they would’ve made it home had Paul not gotten sloppy drunk and tried to manage between driving the boat and arguing & slapping his gf around.

[@karamacmillan4757]

@@rockettcassia Perfectly said.

[@karamacmillan4757]

@@sonia68ish Way wrong answer.

[@larabachamelion]

...that last statement 💔 100 years of hardwork for it all to crumble in 1 day! What a pity!

[@bluejava9397]

It’s the fate of all those old millionaire types. Boo hoo.

[@buzzcultseascnn]

that’s a good thing

[@oscarwarren469]

The original Good Ole Boy Network...imagine all crooked prosecutions.

[@sm0kyb0nez]

I’ve lived in walterboro for 20 years, it’s a VERY crooked town!

[@bobcrip9816]

just what I was looking for! THABK YOU

[@user-ggggguvv6n]

Thank you!

[@megytshorts]

I have a place in South Carolina about an hour away from the town they lived in I wanted some information about this topic ty!

[@jackiebinns6205]

Thank you

[@schanychamemphis1327]

I hope the people that were treated unjustly by this dynasty will get some justice soon. So sorry for the loss of Ms. Satterfield, The young woman on the boat and the young man who was found on side of the road.

[@TheDonNeto]

@Joyful Grace I keep hearing something about a boat I’m unsure of what to look for

[@XPHALCON]

I believe the son was intoxicated boat driver and charged with death of Mallory Beach, from South Carolina.

[@handmadeheartears]

I’ve only just read about this case but found “Murdaugh Murders: a southern scandal” is coming to Netflix Feb 22nd and looks like the trailer covers the whole boat thing. Crazy. This recap was very helpful too. Such a shame there are people like this in this world. RIP to all the victims 🙏🏻

[@handmadeheartears]

@@TheDonNeto sorry meant to tag you above, watch the Netflix trailer! Crazy story

[@TheDonNeto]

@@handmadeheartears thank you sm !!

[@michellesassouni2863]

Anyone think of Tywin Lannister’s speech about legacy here…just me?

[@blindship5792]

this is soo soo sad! Just the doing of ONE person has tarnished the legacy and name of such a high profiled respected family! So devastating! WHY would someone murder their own family! Senseless!

[@FreshGrey-pm4vw]

I never heard of this case- I will serve on the jury.

[@deborahdean8867]

They say he 'confessed ' on that recording. But if so, why didn't they charge him back when it happened? Why wait until fraud charges are brought?

[@arifulislamleeton]

Nice to see you

[@FuzzyStayBuzzin183]

Can't wait to hear from his wife's family think that's going to be very interesting. I still don't understand how that man had no blood on him his son head was literally off and he tried to take his pulse.

[@kellyjones4803]

Maybe he didn’t do it?!?

[@tennesseestephani1353]

@@kellyjones4803 I’ve followed this case for almost 3 yrs & I’m just not convinced he did it.

[@PtolemyJones]

A little disgusted with how cheerful the woman being interviewed is over this whole thing.

[@davidcartagena1272]

Just saw this trial is live on TV so I wanted to see what makes this case so special

[@Snwman_]

A partner in a law firm stealing clients money. POOR clients money. Even the suggestion of this tells you all you need to know about this person's character.

[@NotDecided420]

Thank you. Because I keep catching the court case and I don't really even know what he's done? They're mostly talking about him stealing money atm.

[@Akkebu]

Why do they keep saying "Alec" throughout the video?

[@elishasmith6640]

I’ve been listening to the Murdaugh Murders Podcast with Mandy Matney for years at this point and this seems like a very cut/dry depiction of what I’ve perceive this 2B as well.

[@kringhetto]

Why are neither of his names pronounced correctly?

[@NormaLilia24]

I don’t see the motive making sense. How is being tried for double homicide better than being caught for embezzlement?

[@odinata]

"Family's hunting estate" explains all you need to know. Karma is swift and severe.

[@jybyrd]

Even watching this, I still have no idea who this family is or their history

[@marilyn8700]

His family was murdered as a revenge for what he did to one of his many financial victims .... But he had no financial motive to kill them. They didn't even have life insurance policies. He did not do this.

[@timw8649]

@@MK10022 exhausted the policies? What does that mean?

[@crashburn3292]

Why does it have to be a financial motive for him to be guilty? * Maggie had hired someone to dig into their finances and was about to find out they were highly in debt because of him. * She was also looking into divorce attorneys and not even living with him anymore. * Alex's firm had approached him the day of the murders about his stealing money from clients. Paul was days away from beginning his DUI manslaughter case that would've cost Alex a ton of money. Alex had already set up that botched "murder attempt" at the side of the road, which also made no sense, just like these murders made no sense. * Why did he immediately lie about not being at the kennels when he clearly was? Who finds their family murdered and thinks, "I know, I'll lie to police to help them catch the murderers!" * How is it possible he checked their vital signs and got no blood on his hands or feet? * Why did he immediately lie to police about not being at the kennels just before the murders? * What happened to Maggie's phone? * What happened to the clothes he was wearing at the kennels just before the murders? * What are the odds that the two type of guns used in the murders match the two guns missing from the Murdaugh's home? He didn't do this?

[@gosnooky]

Disposing of the clothes one murdered their family in is Getting Away With Murder 101.

[@golden22h8]

I've never heard of these people In my life 😭 nor have I heard about this case, wow!

[@laurah200]

1:45 saying not guilty whilst nodding his head is alarm ringing

[@LowerYourExpectationsPleb]

Fact check false. It is not evidence.

[@xkI1LeRmInEcRaFtx]

Could’ve used me I ain’t have no idea who this guy was til KZbin recommended it 🤣

[@Scrumtrulescent1]

This guy's last name ain't helpin

[@MrNecho360]

A family basically owning a judicial system, we are beyond done for. They weren’t the only ones.

[@NapoleonBonaparteMAGA]

Is it Alec or Alex? Why does she keep calling him Alec?

[@imcopper]

Alex" short for Alexander" ive noticed the name is different on several sites.. It maybe a southern thang" lol

[@nikitakucherov5028]

Does seem as though he did it all but there isn’t enough evidence to find a guilty verdict for the murders but they definitely will have enough evidence for the endless financial crimes and the state will put him away a long time.

[@abeldelreal9906]

Do l have to live in Carolina to be a juror l don't know the Murdock family. I live in Reno Nevada.

[@golddustwoman4993]

Yes you do

[@auro1986]

or what if he hired professional hitmen from north, east, and west carolina?

[@HeyItsRicki85]

That seems the most likely scenario IF he did kill them. Unfortunately, if that is the case, then he'll get off free simply because he's on trial for murder not soliciting murder.

[@DaniMacYo]

When I see this lady talking I can picture her screaming. KEVIN!!

[@wplants9793]

Do you have to be from the county of the trial to be a juror?

[@karinaz8756]

I believe so yes. Have to be a registered voter /driver in the area. They use drivers license info to randomly pick jurors.

[@takomomo2121]

How could you kill your own son. What a cold person

[@LowerYourExpectationsPleb]

Well blax do the overwhelming majority of murda's

[@thomasclark9517]

Let’s be honest, it’s not a matter of if he did it, or not, just if they can prove it

[@cannibalholocaust3015]

Didn’t Patrick Swayze sort this guy out in Road House?

[@bluejava9397]

The defense says it was a loving family with no possibility of murder….but my guy is willing to steal money 🤔….sounds like somebody’s moral compass is a bit wonky.

[@gvue4396]

So all for money? Usually it's the wife, not the son

[@TheAmazingSpiderman87]

Funny how his son getting away with dui negligent homicide was the catalyst that started it all.

[@Dad-979]

How’s that funny?

[@evanbelisle8464]

@@Dad-979 like this: Hahahahahahahahaha

[@Dad-979]

Alex didn’t do it, I know who did. They’re cold

[@fazecrazy6266]

I have not a single clue of who they are

[@nunyabusiness6744]

Never heard of this guy before

[@ilexevergreen5405]

Why do they say "Alec" but his name is spelled Alex?

[@AshleyTDaylee]

I don't know the mudauch case now curious I don't understand what happened so

[@REEEEDACTED]

that lady is way too happy to be talking about murder

[@user-cm9sf7vs5h]

Probably just her expressive facial features, but I've noticed many people are way too intrigued and happily talk openly on cases like this. It's bizarre how many views killer and especially serial killer documentaries seem to receive.

[@demonatemu]

me, a non south carolinian: who tf is murdouch and why has it been 5+ weeks of coverage like did the rona disappear

[@k21im]

Who is "Ilic"?

[@golddustwoman4993]

He looks like Nick Nolte in Cape Fear

[@TheGothGaming]

I think the law firm did it, with Alex being an accomplice. the only reason the law firm fired him was because his son Paul drew a ton of attention due to the boat accident and reckless behaviour, thus investigators uncovered the frauds and stealing, but im 100% sure the law firm knew and was in, and many more lawyers did and continue to do the same. his wife also hired a private financial expert to investigate the family's finances, an investigation that would most likely uncover Alex's crimes and the law firm's too. so, both of them had to go. either Alex hired the hitman or the law firm did. he also staged his own attack and shot to the head as to make it seem he was also a target and clear him as a suspect. I think the law firm is very corrupt and involved in organized crime and fraud, they need to be investigated. Alex himself is no innocent either he either was an accomplice or hired the hitman himself.

[@rumham7882]

Happy enough to be broke and loved

[@thomas_tk330]

Even the family name sounds like "Murder"

[@davewagner2960]

So I just got in to this Alex murder mystery and sounds like if he didn't murder wife and son, would it be someone about the girl in the boat wreck? And if it was Alex who murdered wife and son who would be the second shooter? The one documentary on this says one was shot with shotgun and the other with a semi-fire like rifle. So where's the second shooter that would help him, or if not him the two that did it? From what I think it was him with shotgun, shotgun that was outside when cops showed up and where's the second shooter with the rifle? One or two more people you're still looking for, right?

[@rbfoster]

Why are they adding a K sound to the end of Murdaugh?

[@Torgomasta]

Same reason this guy’s name is actually Richard, yet goes by Alex, and on top of that insists on being called Alec. It just forces people to arbitrarily memorize all this nonsense. Gives the guy an opportunity to “well actually” people.

[@phish_1]

I’m learning a lot of crimes and violence in the US from social media.

[@queenie.lawyergirl.pittymom]

I don't believe that his guilt was proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Just not convinced that he would shoot his wife and son. Something is off here!

[@ceilconstante640]

Just because he was laughing & joking with his family DOES NOT mean it was a loving family! Narscissist Psychopaths disarm people with a smile.

[@pamelafranklin3452]

He did it

[@mikehunt7888]

So we have motive for the son. Did he kill his wife to spare her the grief or because she would have been a witness?

[@virgoteaze]

She was going to file for divorce

[@RudieObias]

He was just sentenced to two life sentences in prison

[@jeffsolinger5671]

He is so guilty people wake up

[@videorocketzmillar007milla5]

Should have tried this mess in another state. Oh well ...

[@AndrooKimsterrr]

Im the perfect juror for this case. I had no idea who this man was until today.

[@killa123588]

I'm from South Carolina I've never heard of them

[@mediumdoubledouble9012]

This will make a good Netflix series tbh

[@leequinn2733]

I was following this story but now I'm trying to catch up. As I understand it Buster will be testy- lying. So was he given immunity in this case? What about the other case? Buster and Stephen Smith, a 19yr old college student were said to be closerthanthis. Poor Stephen was found dead on a country road from blunt force trauma, god I hate when that happens! It's like spontaneous combustion, it just happens sometimes. Bodies all over the place, at least 5. It's a good thing the elder died suddenly, after receiving all that money, he was so old no questions about his death, right? And the massive fraud part, JEZUZ!! Dominick Dunne would have done a terrific job of relating this story. Love, greed and murder amongst the (ahem) genteel wealthy and influential in the deep fried south. All in an illusory tranquil setting teeming with dogwoods and magnolias. This will make a great movie if done right.

[@tonicalloway7227]

Why don't they use hypnosis?..

[@francisvincentcabalatungan3232]

Thank you for shorten the bs

[@JupiterSun-888]

What’s interesting & ironic is the last name literally could be pronounced “mur-dah” (murder)

[@CUMBICA1970]

Gee... Funny how the news tone changes according to the nature of the victims I guess? 0:20 "Just so captivating to people." Certainly she wouldn't describe the Idaho murders in that way. 4 young college students stabbed to death. So so captivating to people... Well maybe it is. But to say out loud sounds so so wrong.

[@vkrgfan]

I know why they always are trying to humanize these murderous rich people, just because they rich there shouldn’t be a special treatment when they commit crimes.

[@danielhorritz7986]

This family has gotten too powerful

[@isaacflowz1483]

Money=POWER

[@vincentvalle783]

This is not a recap of the trial. This summarizes the history of the case. But where are the details of the actual trial with the twists and turns,?

[@yallmustveforgot]

Anyone who thinks he didn't do it isn't thinking hard enough. Unless you think someone showed up that random night, when Paul and Maggie just happened to be there. Someone just HAPPENED to know they were at the kennels, late afternoon. Showed up without any weapons, just assumed the Murdaughs guns would be laying around readily available, then managed to get BEHIND Paul, in the doorway of the kennel and blow his head off. All within about 3 minutes of Alex being there. The only theory dumber than that is that he paid someone to do it.

[@tdxcorp]

Is it Alex or Alec. Sheesh make up your mind

[@CherylLarson-nf3np]

People will lose faith in our system

[@tr051982]

Is it just me 2 different wepons used at point blank range this sounds more like a message being sent by power people than him mufderinv them

[@juliusfishman7222]

Man's was a Loki Saul Goodman

[@DjDobleU809]

I had no clue who the Murdochs were. People swear they are more important than what they actually are.

[@Alwayscatlike]

Why does she call him Alec instead of Alex? Maybe Alec sounds more refined?

[@butterbeanqueen8148]

That’s how he pronounces his name. The name can be pronounced either way.

[@mohammedhosein5210]

Deborah: She calls him Alec because she is in love with the murderer.

[@butterbeanqueen8148]

@@mohammedhosein5210 she calls him by Aleck because it would be bad manners to say his name incorrectly after she knows how he says it’s pronounced. The name can be pronounced either way. The way it is pronounced is determined by the person it was given to.

[@debrajohnson8120]

Seems like Valerie Bauerlein of the WSJ is showing a lot of bias for the defendant.