Jurors on Wednesday visited the sprawling South Carolina property where prosecutors say disgraced lawyer Alex Murdaugh shot and killed his wife and son, viewing the crime scene before returning to hear closing arguments in a murder trial that has captured global attention.
Vehicles with blacked-out windows drove jurors less than an hour from the courthouse in Walterboro to the Murdaugh estate of Moselle in the low country of Colleton County.
Judge Clifton Newman allowed them to see the area around the dog kennels and the outside of the family’s home.
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Paul, Maggie, Alex and Buster Murdaugh in a still from the Netflix series Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal. Photo: Netflix -
State police opened six separate investigations into Alex Murdaugh and his family after his wife and son were shot to death outside the home. AP -
The Murdaugh family had steered much of the legal world in Hampton, South Carolina, for a century, until recent events. AP -
State police say prominent South Carolina lawyer Mr Murdaugh hired Curtis Edward Smith to arrange his own death so his son would get $10 million in life insurance. Mr Smith is charged with assisted suicide, insurance fraud and several other counts. AP -
Marian Proctor, Maggie Murdaugh's sister, said that she thought it was odd that Mr Murdaugh did not seem scared in the weeks after his son Paul and his wife were killed at their South Carolina home. AP -
Prosecutor John Meadors shows evidence to the jury. AP -
David Grubbs speaks about mobile phone records during Mr Murdaugh's trial, which is proving to be crucial evidence. AP -
Crime scene specialist Kenneth Kinsey, right, shows where he believes a shotgun round entered Paul Murdaugh's skull. AP -
Buster Murdaugh listens to his father Alex's recorded interview, in which he describes a suicide attempt. AP -
John Marvin Murdaugh, brother of Alex, listens to evidence during the double-murder trial. AP -
Tim Palmbach, a forensic scientist, demonstrates the effect of a shotgun blast during the double-murder trial. AP -
From left, Randy Murdaugh; John Marvin Murdaugh; his wife, Liz Murdaugh; Brooklynn White; and Buster Murdaugh leave the courthouse. AP -
Jonathan Eisenstat, a forensic pathology consultant, sketches the difference in shotgun wounds based on distance to the victim. AP -
Mr Murdaugh walks past reporters as he arrives to the Colleton County Courthouse. AP -
Mallory Beach, left, seen here with friend Morgan Doughty, died in a boating accident on a craft reportedly driven by Paul Murdaugh. Photo: Netflix -
Murdaugh brothers Buster and Paul on their watercraft. Photo: Netflix -
Paul's father Alex and grandfather Randolph captured on hospital CCTV speaking with law enforcement, before they would point the finger at Connor Cook. Photo: Netflix
A pool reporter who caught a glimpse of the jurors said one of them stood in the feed room doorway where 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh was killed and glanced up to where witnesses said blood and hair from the victim was found.
Jurors would not have heard evidence during the visit to the property and would only be allowed to ask questions of Mr Newman.
They were joined by several bailiffs, a court reporter and lawyers from both sides, as well as deputies who had given evidence earlier in the trial. They were warned to watch for snakes.
Mr Newman scheduled closing arguments for around 11am on Wednesday.
Upon conclusion, jurors will begin deliberating evidence revealed during a trial that has included more than 75 witnesses and lasted more than six weeks.
Mr Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison if he is convicted of murder. Investigators said his son Paul was shot twice with a shotgun and his 52-year-old wife, Maggie, was shot four or five times with a rifle outside the kennels on June 7, 2021.
Reuters contributed to this report
