Murders and attempted murders

South Carolina Attorney Indicted For Murder

JUL 13 2022·Updated AUG 2 2022

#Murders and attempted murders

South Carolina Attorney Indicted For Murder

Story

Image credit: AP [via The Guardian]

The Facts

On Thurs., a grand jury indicted disbarred South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh on charges of murdering his wife Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22.
USA Today
His wife and son were found shot dead last June. Murdaugh has maintained his innocence, claiming he was visiting his father in the hospital at the time of the murders.
wsj
However, police allegedly have cellphone video that contradicts his alibi.
NBC
He was indicted on two counts of murder and two counts of possessing a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. If convicted of murder, he could face 30 years in prison without parole and possibly the death penalty.
USA Today
The murder accusations led to other investigations that saw Murdaugh faced with more than 80 other criminal charges.
FOX News
Murdaugh reportedly admitted to a series of crimes - including stealing millions and faking his own murder - and was disbarred on Tuesday.
New York Post

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

We shouldn't jump to conclusions: just because Murdaugh has admitted to other crimes doesn't mean he killed his wife and son. The legal process hasn't fully played out yet, and he should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Greenville News

Narrative B

This case isn't just the indictment of one man, but rather a test of South Carolina's entire justice system. The Murdaugh family has played a central and powerful role in the state's legal community for decades, and this indictment is a step in the right direction to holding those in positions of power accountable.