#MurdaughTrial Witnesses Testify to Complex Web of Criminal Activity

 

The trial of prominent South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh continued on February 27 with the testimony of final witnesses. Murdaugh is facing charges in the murder-for-hire of his former housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, in 2018. He has also been accused of embezzling millions of dollars from his own law firm and conspiring with others to stage his own shooting in September 2021.

One of the final witnesses was Curtis Edward Smith, who has already pleaded guilty to his role in the alleged murder-for-hire plot. Smith testified that Murdaugh had promised him $10,000 to carry out the hit on Satterfield and that he had been surprised when he was only given $3,000. Smith also said that he had been afraid of Murdaugh, who he described as a "very powerful man."

Other witnesses included employees of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, who testified about the forensic evidence collected at the crime scene, as well as a former Murdaugh family employee who said that Murdaugh had asked him to destroy evidence related to the alleged embezzlement.

The trial, which began on February 7, has been closely watched in South Carolina due to the Murdaugh family's prominent position in the state. Murdaugh's father and grandfather were both well-respected attorneys, and the family has a long history of political connections.

Overall, the testimony presented during the trial suggests that Murdaugh may have been involved in a complex web of criminal activity, including embezzlement, conspiracy, and murder-for-hire. The trial is set to continue on March 1.