PAUL & MAGGIE MURDAUGH: South Carolina vs. Alex Murdaugh for Double Homicide of wife & son *GUILTY*

This case is being kept pretty quiet, no major details released to speak of (other than it does say there were two different guns used), but no info regarding who found them, who called 911, very little else.

Of interest, the grandfather died just a few days after these murders and it sounds as if he was ill from various articles so probably not unexpected. I think of the typical motives, did grandpa have a big estate? How big in the overall family of grandpa's on down? They sound like a pretty well known family and a powerful one in their state, more on that in the article.

Questions abound in SC Murdaugh killing. Among them: Should prosecutor step aside?

Several days after two members of a prominent Hampton County family were fatally shot, questions about what happened still vastly outnumber answers.

www.postandcourier.com

 

[Guess Who]

I don't see how killing his wife and youngest son would solve these financial problems. Could someone elaborate how that would work? He is still going to have those 99 charges and 15 indictments, isn't he, so how will they go away?

Nobody said it would solve the financial problems. Drug addled brains do not make good decisions and IF he was using that many pills a day, he surely wasn't in his right mind to make good decisions and I think he just snapped after getting the news that he was caught in his stealing AND the boat trail coming up in a few days and this was his drug addled brain's decision of how to fix it. All it would do is delay and garner sympathy and that happened. It did quash the charges on Paul, but not for the financial end he was being held to. His drug addled brain probably thought it would though - possibly.

I'm not even sure if I believe him on his drug problem. I AM sure he made sure he had it in his system when he admitted himself into rehab. He was a prosecutor so he knows how that works and has probably heard all kinds of stories of how defendants use it to their advantage and hide under HIPAA regulations. His records can not be found out unless by court order...which they did do and it has came out that he did have it in his system, but I didn't hear the info if they have released what and how much. IF he was using that much on a daily basis, his levels would be sky high, but WE haven't heard what they were

 

[Tresir]

Absolutely! From watching him testify his demeanor about financial misdeeds appears easier for him to admit guilt. Maybe in his mind those are easier to forgive than murder.

Well they are aren't they? Murder is the very worst crime of all.

I have been researching cost of oxycontin and have some links. They can be $40 per pill. So a box of pills could have maybe 500 say so that would be $20,000 per box. See the illicit use price in this link. These prices are from more than 20 years ago, so goodness knows what they cost now.

Abuse - OxyContin Diversion and Abuse

www.justice.gov

From the link

OxyContin and heroin have similar effects; therefore, both drugs are attractive to the same abuser population. OxyContin is sometimes referred to as "poor man's heroin," despite the high price it commands at the street level. A 40 mg tablet of OxyContin by prescription costs approximately $4 or $400 for a 100-tablet bottle in a retail pharmacy. Street prices vary depending on geographic location, but generally OxyContin sells for between 50 cents and $1 per milligram. Thus, the same 100-tablet bottle purchased for $400 at a retail pharmacy can sell for $2,000 to $4,000 illegally.

OxyContin is, however, relatively inexpensive for those covered by health insurance, since the insurance provider covers most costs associated with doctor visits and the prescription. Unfortunately, many OxyContin abusers whose health insurance will no longer pay for prescriptions and who cannot afford the high street-level prices are attracted to heroin. For example, in West Virginia the availability of lower cost heroin is attracting many OxyContin abusers who have never used heroin.​

Strength​	Licit Retail​	Illicit Retail​
Price per tablet​	Price per tablet​
10 mg​	$1.25​	$5 to $10​
20 mg​	$2.30​	$10 to $20​
40 mg​	$4.00​	$25 to $40​
80 mg​	$6.00​	$65 to $80​
160 mg​	$14.00​	unknown​

Source: Cincinnati Police Department Pharmaceutical Diversion Squad, November 2000​

 

[Tresir]

Nobody said it would solve the financial problems. Drug addled brains do not make good decisions and IF he was using that many pills a day, he surely wasn't in his right mind to make good decisions and I think he just snapped after getting the news that he was caught in his stealing AND the boat trail coming up in a few days and this was his drug addled brain's decision of how to fix it. All it would do is delay and garner sympathy and that happened. It did quash the charges on Paul, but not for the financial end he was being held to. His drug addled brain probably thought it would though - possibly.

I'm not even sure if I believe him on his drug problem. I AM sure he made sure he had it in his system when he admitted himself into rehab. He was a prosecutor so he knows how that works and has probably heard all kinds of stories of how defendants use it to their advantage and hide under HIPAA regulations. His records can not be found out unless by court order...which they did do and it has came out that he did have it in his system, but I didn't hear the info if they have released what and how much. IF he was using that much on a daily basis, his levels would be sky high, but WE haven't heard what they were

If it doesn't solve his financial problems, how can it be the motive for the murders then? I just don't follow what his motive is supposed to be?

 

[Guess Who]

If it doesn't solve his financial problems, how can it be the motive for the murders then? I just don't follow what his motive is supposed to be?

he lost it. He just plain lost it and who knows the reasoning behind a dude that supposedly takes that much oxy each and every day...according to him. Why does there need to be a specific motive other than it's just what his brain thought was a good idea at the time? We see it all the time in cases. The only thing that leads me to believe it might have been premeditated is that he lied about telling Maggie to be there but her texts to her sister says she didn't want to go because of renovations at the house she was at and it would leave the house open but Alex said he needed her to be there and her sister told her to go, too because she felt that she needed to support Alex. Why would he lie about that also? Why would he NEED her to be there knowing she had plans elsewhere and the liability of leaving contractors in his house unattended and unlocked? Why couldn't he have gone to where she was instead? IF he hadn't done it, why lie about himself being there to start with and why lie about the reason why Maggie was even there? These lies would have remained if not for the prosecutions investigation. He was sticking to the story until proven otherwise.

 

[Tresir]

he lost it. He just plain lost it and who knows the reasoning behind a dude that supposedly takes that much oxy each and every day...according to him. Why does there need to be a specific motive other than it's just what his brain thought was a good idea at the time? We see it all the time in cases. The only thing that leads me to believe it might have been premeditated is that he lied about telling Maggie to be there but her texts to her sister says she didn't want to go because of renovations at the house she was at and it would leave the house open but Alex said he needed her to be there and her sister told her to go, too because she felt that she needed to support Alex. Why would he lie about that also? Why would he NEED her to be there knowing she had plans elsewhere and the liability of leaving contractors in his house unattended and unlocked? Why couldn't he have gone to where she was instead? IF he hadn't done it, why lie about himself being there to start with and why lie about the reason why Maggie was even there? These lies would have remained if not for the prosecutions investigation. He was sticking to the story until proven otherwise.

So there was no motive? He just wanted them there on his property to kill them both, after riding around looking over the property with Paul. Why bother having dinner at all if he got them there to kill them? Why use two different guns? None of it makes sense with him as the murderer.

 

[kdg411]

So what does the badge actually say and what is it supposed to be for? Is it a Colleton County badge?

Here's the actual badge that admitted into evidence. The badge is for the elected solicitor which Alex was not. His Dad gave him his. The badge gives the solicitor/prosecutor access to crime scenes to help ascertain whether there is a need for prosecution.

 

[kdg411]

If it doesn't solve his financial problems, how can it be the motive for the murders then? I just don't follow what his motive is supposed to be?

That is a very good & honest question which I'm waiting to hear come out in trial.

 

[kdg411]

Well they are aren't they? Murder is the very worst crime of all.

I have been researching cost of oxycontin and have some links. They can be $40 per pill. So a box of pills could have maybe 500 say so that would be $20,000 per box. See the illicit use price in this link. These prices are from more than 20 years ago, so goodness knows what they cost now.

Abuse - OxyContin Diversion and Abuse

www.justice.gov

From the link

OxyContin and heroin have similar effects; therefore, both drugs are attractive to the same abuser population. OxyContin is sometimes referred to as "poor man's heroin," despite the high price it commands at the street level. A 40 mg tablet of OxyContin by prescription costs approximately $4 or $400 for a 100-tablet bottle in a retail pharmacy. Street prices vary depending on geographic location, but generally OxyContin sells for between 50 cents and $1 per milligram. Thus, the same 100-tablet bottle purchased for $400 at a retail pharmacy can sell for $2,000 to $4,000 illegally.

OxyContin is, however, relatively inexpensive for those covered by health insurance, since the insurance provider covers most costs associated with doctor visits and the prescription. Unfortunately, many OxyContin abusers whose health insurance will no longer pay for prescriptions and who cannot afford the high street-level prices are attracted to heroin. For example, in West Virginia the availability of lower cost heroin is attracting many OxyContin abusers who have never used heroin.​

​

Strength​	Licit Retail​	Illicit Retail​
Price per tablet​	Price per tablet​
10 mg​	$1.25​	$5 to $10​
20 mg​	$2.30​	$10 to $20​
40 mg​	$4.00​	$25 to $40​
80 mg​	$6.00​	$65 to $80​
160 mg​	$14.00​	unknown​

There's a lot more about AM and drugs that hasn't made MSM.

State Grand Jury Indicts Richard Alexander Murdaugh and Curtis Edward Smith for Criminal Conspiracy and Narcotics; Curtis Edward Smith also Indicted for Money Laundering, Forgery, and Trafficking Methamphetamine - South Carolina Attorney General

 

[Cousin Dupree]

So there was no motive? He just wanted them there on his property to kill them both, after riding around looking over the property with Paul. Why bother having dinner at all if he got them there to kill them? Why use two different guns? None of it makes sense with him as the murderer.

Paul's trial for the boating accident was coming up, it's been rumored Maggie wanted a divorce. Paul's trial for the boating accident would be really embarrassing after he was outed as stealing from old people and teenagers who were injured. He also would have had to answer questions in court about his use of his badge.

The prosecution is really effing up this trial. I, too, am seeing him being let off or at most a hung jury.

 

[Tresir]

Here's the actual badge that admitted into evidence. The badge is for the elected solicitor which Alex was not. His Dad gave him his. The badge gives the solicitor/prosecutor access to crime scenes to help ascertain whether there is a need for prosecution.

Thankyou for posting.

 

[Tresir]

There's a lot more about AM and drugs that hasn't made MSM.

State Grand Jury Indicts Richard Alexander Murdaugh and Curtis Edward Smith for Criminal Conspiracy and Narcotics; Curtis Edward Smith also Indicted for Money Laundering, Forgery, and Trafficking Methamphetamine - South Carolina Attorney General

Ok, so this is June 2022, a year after the murders, he was indicted for criminal conspiracy and narcotics. Smith was additionally indicted for laundering, forgery and trafficking methamphetamine. (No mention of oxycodone.)

 

[Guess Who]

.

Here's the actual badge that admitted into evidence. The badge is for the elected solicitor which Alex was not. His Dad gave him his. The badge gives the solicitor/prosecutor access to crime scenes to help ascertain whether there is a need for prosecution.

He also received one from his friend that also lost his job and I think he lost his job from dealings with AM.

You also don't "accidentally" hang them out of your pocket as he did in the hospital footage. They clasp onto with part inside your pocket. Some have a metal clip that is between the layers so it hangs and others I have seen have a magnet between the layers to hold it like that. The small part with the actual badge on it rides on the outside of the pocket and the larger part goes inside the pocket. The clips/magnets are so it stays secure and in view and not get knocked off or slip off.

 

[Guess Who]

Ok, so this is June 2022, a year after the murders, he was indicted for criminal conspiracy and narcotics. Smith was additionally indicted for laundering, forgery and trafficking methamphetamine. (No mention of oxycodone.)

Again, AM is a lying liar that lies and Smith was found out by that phone call. Who knows what AM was actually taking and IF he was ever actually taking anything. He might have just found somebody else to throw under the bus for no reason at all but to save his own azz for something. He was willing for somebody that he called his very good friend to get set up with attempted murder charges, conspiracy to commit AND drug charges with that plot and phone call all by itself. Why would he be willing to do that?

 

[Guess Who]

So there was no motive? He just wanted them there on his property to kill them both, after riding around looking over the property with Paul. Why bother having dinner at all if he got them there to kill them? Why use two different guns? None of it makes sense with him as the murderer.

It sure makes him guilty of conspiracy to commit and in many states here, that is just as guilty and gets as much time as committing actual murder. I just am not sure if SC has that rule. In my state, and many more, if you are involved in ANY part of the happenings in the commission of a felony, you are just as guilty of murder - from planning it to just being a get away driver to being the actual person that did the actual killings/theft, etc. I am 100% convinced he had all to do with it happening. I am just not convinced if he was the ONLY one involved.

 

[Guess Who]

Ok, so this is June 2022, a year after the murders, he was indicted for criminal conspiracy and narcotics. Smith was additionally indicted for laundering, forgery and trafficking methamphetamine. (No mention of oxycodone.)

That is when the indictment was handed down.

 

[Guess Who]

Ok, so this is June 2022, a year after the murders, he was indicted for criminal conspiracy and narcotics. Smith was additionally indicted for laundering, forgery and trafficking methamphetamine. (No mention of oxycodone.)

that article DOES mention indictments for oxy

per article:
In Indictment 2022-GS-47-10, venued in Colleton County, the State Grand Jury alleges a Criminal Conspiracy regarding approximately 437 checks totaling approximately $2.4 million that went from Murdaugh to Smith from October 7, 2013 through February 28, 2021. The two were also indicted in an alleged conspiracy regarding the distribution and purchase of Oxycodone. Smith is indicted for four counts of Money Laundering over $100,000 regarding the alleged disposition of the checks. The State Grand Jury also charged Smith with Forgery for allegedly forging endorsements on some of the checks. Smith is also indicted for three other drug offenses, including allegedly trafficking over ten grams of methamphetamine.

 

[Tresir]

that article DOES mention indictments for oxy

per article:
In Indictment 2022-GS-47-10, venued in Colleton County, the State Grand Jury alleges a Criminal Conspiracy regarding approximately 437 checks totaling approximately $2.4 million that went from Murdaugh to Smith from October 7, 2013 through February 28, 2021. The two were also indicted in an alleged conspiracy regarding the distribution and purchase of Oxycodone. Smith is indicted for four counts of Money Laundering over $100,000 regarding the alleged disposition of the checks. The State Grand Jury also charged Smith with Forgery for allegedly forging endorsements on some of the checks. Smith is also indicted for three other drug offenses, including allegedly trafficking over ten grams of methamphetamine.

$2.4 million over 7.5 years is an average of $320k pa/$6.13k pw. About $3k each a week hardly seems worth it. That would be turnover too, not profit.

 

[Guess Who]

$2.4 million over 7.5 years is an average of $320k pa/$6.13k pw. About $3k each a week hardly seems worth it. That would be turnover too, not profit.

That's just what they were caught with, too. AM "claims" he was giving Smith over $50k/week for quite some time. That's over $2 million in a year and that's only AM for a customer.

 

[kdg411]

He also received one from his friend that also lost his job and I think he lost his job from dealings with AM.

You also don't "accidentally" hang them out of your pocket as he did in the hospital footage. They clasp onto with part inside your pocket. Some have a metal clip that is between the layers so it hangs and others I have seen have a magnet between the layers to hold it like that. The small part with the actual badge on it rides on the outside of the pocket and the larger part goes inside the pocket. The clips/magnets are so it stays secure and in view and not get knocked off or slip off.

Correct. His 'friend' Cory Fleming gave him a 2nd badge. This friend was with Alex in the 3rd voluntary SLED interview on August 11th, 2021. Also, this is the friend who was indicted for helping Alex steal the insurance settlement from Gloria Satterfields death.

State Grand Jury indicts Cory Fleming; Richard Alexander Murdaugh indicted for new charges - South Carolina Attorney General

Ugh! I think I've learned too many things about this family and there's probably a lot more I hope to not ever hear.

 

[kdg411]

$2.4 million over 7.5 years is an average of $320k pa/$6.13k pw. About $3k each a week hardly seems worth it. That would be turnover too, not profit.

Very true! However, Alex also stole over $9million from clients over the years. Where is that money and how does that equate to murder? See why this hard to figure out? It doesn't make sense based on the evidence provided in the trial which is frustrating.