Jurors to visit crime scene in Alex Murdoff’s trial
Judge Alex Murdoff Trial of murder The shooting death of his wife and son must visit the South Carolina home where the killings occurred before they can begin discussions, a judge ruled Monday.
Lawyers for the disgraced South Carolina attorney asked for a tour of the Colleton County property called Moselle so the jury could see. Dog kennels near where the bodies of 52-year-old Maggie Murdoff were found and the storage room where 22-year-old Paul Murdoff was killed on June 7, 2021.
Alex Murdoff, 54, faces two number of murders On the death of his wife and son. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. Before the jury visit issue came up, both sides suggested that closing statements and deliberations could begin this week.
Defense attorney Dick Harputlian said Monday that it’s important for jurors to visit Murdagh House See “how small the feed room is” and “where the feed room compares to Maggie’s body.”
“You can’t really appreciate the spatial issues without really looking at them,” he said.
Prosecutors told the judge they didn’t want the jury to see it because it happened 20 months after the murder And it looks different.
Prosecutor Creighton Waters said the trees planted between the Murdoff home and the kennel shortly before the murders had grown tall and dense, and a key argument for the state was that Murdoff, who testified That he was inside the house 1,100 feet (335 m) away when investigators believe the murders occurred, should have heard rifle shots or shogun explosions. He said he didn’t.
“If anything, it will require additional testimony because the scenario is different,” Waters said on the 25th day of the trial.
Judge Clifton Newman agreed to schedule the visits, saying he usually allows them if both parties request them. Only jurors, judges, lawyers and police and security personnel can be there.
The date of the visit has not been fixed.
The judge agreed to Harputlian’s request that Colleton County deputies provide additional security at the property, which is currently in place. Under contract With a buyer for $3.9 million.
The defense lawyer said several intruders were seen taking selfies outside over the weekend Feed room Where Paul Murdoff died.
“It’s the most disturbing thing we’ve ever seen,” Harputlian said.
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