"Murdaugh" Episode Fourteen | Clean Clothes Create Questions

0:11 Hey everyone, and welcome back to Exposed Scandalous Files of the Elite. I am your host, Jim Chapman, and this is the fourteenth episode in our Murdall series. We're back with Murdall. And before I get into it, I got a Patreon Global celebrity to shout out today, and that is Miss Jeannette Grimes. And Jeanette is from Melbourne, Florida. And Melbourne, y'all, is southeast of Orlando, Florida. And if you're a fan of art, that is what Melbourne is known for. There are some amazing art galleries there and it's also home to the beautiful Indian River Lagoon. Welcome to the Patreon, Miss Jeanette, and thank you. Thank you for supporting for those interested in early commercial free episodes, bonus episodes, and incidentally, we have a great one coming Friday just for Patreon celebrities.

1:11 On Casey Afflex Lost to lawsuit. You get that a ton of other benefits you can get also on the Patreon site. Check us out patreon dot com slash Exposed podcast Files. So let's get into it. And the last time we left you, we were in the first day of testimony in the murder All trial, and I played some of that testimony for you and we discussed it as I went through. So there's going to be a similar format today. But I'm not going to play all seventy witnesses in this trial during this series. It's just too much to cover, and some of these witnesses it's not really key stuff. So I'm just going to cover the ones that made a big impact and I'm going to summarize the rest of them. So also testing on day one was to Niche Bryson Smith. She was the Hampton County nine one one dispatcher that talked to Murdall initially when he called nine one one and actually rited his call through to Captain Angela Stallings, who also testified.

2:18 That was the Collington County nine one one dispatcher. Also testifying on day one, fire Chief Barry McRoy. He responded to the scene and what he did created a little bit of controversy. He covered those bodies with sheets. Now, the reason he did this obviously, you had family arriving on the scene, not only Murdal but his brother arrived on the scene, and it was out of respect really, and he didn't want these people to see these bodies like this, But it created a problem because detectives hadn't arrived yet to do their whole CSI thing on all this, and when you cover the body with a sheet before that happens, you take a risk of contaminating DNA. So after the fire chief testified that he did indeed cover the bodies with sheets, Captain Jason Chapman took the stand.

3:13 He was with the Collington County Sheriff's Office, and the defense did a good job of kind of pushing him to say that he didn't want those bodies covered with sheets for obvious reasons that I just explained. So they recessed for the day. In the next day, which was Friday, January twenty seventh of twenty twenty three, they had three more witnesses. This is day two of the trial. First up was SLED Agent Melinda Warley. She was a criminologist and she was the one that actually created the crime scene diagram and presented what is known as the SLED report.

3:53 They talked to SLED agent Delia Cicirion and she transported Maggie's but she didn't put it in once known as a Faraday bag, which is like an evidence protection bag, and that was a problem that came out in day two of the trial. But what stuck out to me the most after day two, and what we're going to focus on today, was the testimony of Detective Laura Rutland of the Collington County Sheriff's Office. And you may remember way back when in one of the very first episodes, I covered Alex Murdock getting questioned on the scene inside that vehicle and there was a female detective there with the male detective. And that female detective was indeed Detective Lord Rutland. So we're going to focus on her testimony today.

4:47 And Lord Rutland was a detective with the Collington County Sheriff's Office who was not only as sharp as they come, but she was also a true crime podcast fan, which is pretty awesome. It actually he came up during the questioning and you'll hear that so much so that it's what led her to become a detective. Now, in her questioning, the assistant prosecutor led the questioning and his name was John Metter, and in addition to having that Southern charm that you would picture of a Southern lawyer, he is also the most experienced prosecutor in the entire state of South Carolina as it relates to murder trials. So let's look into the crime scene from Detective Rutland's eyes, and I'll give you my thoughts on this after this line of questioning wraps up. But here's the prosecution questioning Laura Rutland.

5:46 This time the State of South Carolina calls Detective Laura Rutland. It was your right hand, left hand by you from the test of wing about the just recording this child. I'll be the truth to help you buy I do. If you take a seat on the witness stand, state your name again, spell your last name. My name is Laura Rutland. Are U T L A N D. Good morning, Good morning. Are you nervous? Yes, nobody's watching.

6:32 You. Are Laura Rutland. I am. Please tell the ladies and gentlemen of this jury about Laura Rutland. Where you're from, UH, where you were born, where you lived, and a little bit. Of your bright background leading up to law enforcement. Please, ma'am, Good morning everybody. I was born in uh Charleston in South Carolina. When I was about six months old, my family moved back to England, where where we're d originally from. Lived there until I was about three or four years old, came back to the United States. Grew up in Somerville, South Carolina. Graduated from Somerville High School. After I graduated, I was working as a dog groomer, met my would be my husband. We moved to Port Royal, South Carolina. He was in the Marine Corps stationed at Paris Island at the time. Then we moved to Bluffton.

7:28 We had decided I decided to pursue law enforcement. I've always been a true crime NERD into mysteries and things like that, so I decided to pursue law enforcement. I graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Justice Academy in twenty ten and was working at the Blufton Police Department, where I held various roles. Started on patrol, became a detective. Then I was promoted to a supervisor where I supervise a patrol shift and then eventually supervise the detective unit at bluft And PD. My husband and I decided we wanted a lot of kids, so after I had my third baby, I decided to try my civilian job get out of law enforcement for a little bit with a better schedule. So I briefly worked on Paris Island as a sexual assault victim advocate for the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Program. Realized I missed law enforcement so wanted to get back, so especially investigations. I first tried Bufort Police Department, but it would take several years for them to have an opening in criminal investigations. So then I came to the Coleton County Sheriff's Office where they were seeking experience detectives, and so I joined Collington County Sheriff's Office in September twenty twenty and February twenty twenty one, I was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division where I currently am. Now my main focus is child crimes, which

9:01 means children of sexual and physical abuse. Those are the cases that I predominantly work as well as I'm a South Carolina i CAAC task Force member, and what that means is it's uh Internet crimes against children and that's a task force that's partnership with the Attorney General's Office and we basically battle online child predators, child pornography, those types of cases. We do rotate homicides in the detective division among nine of us. At some point, did you work at Paris Island? I did, yes, sir, Tell these folks what you did then? I was a sexual assault victim advocate for civilians on the base.

9:43 And your training and law enforcement's been what detective? It's been various things. It's it's been basic training to advance training, you name it. I've attended several advanced trainings hosted by other law enforcement agencies, state and federal. How many children do you have now? We have four? Okay? And does your husband work? He does? Does he work at hall? He does? So you started full time with Collington in one year twenty twenty okay? And what was your role when you first started with Collington County shares schad. I started on patrol to familiarize myself with the county.

10:23 Then did you work yourself or not? For God? But you become a detective? I did? Okay? When was that February twenty twenty one. On June seventh of twenty twenty one, Well, let me ask before you get there, what. Are you not to pray? Don't want the world to know, but to go into Where do you live? I live in Ridgeland. Now on June seventh, for twenty twenty one, it was a wrong call. I was, okay, how far is it from Ridgeland to Hear. Forty five minutes to an hour depending on traffic, and what college in county I'm going to? Did you receive a call to respond to a double homicide?

11:06 I did? And where was that? Where were you stressed to respond. Initially to the scene of forty seven Moselle Road, But due to my long commute, it was better that I stopped at the sheriff's office first and I'd be the one to prepare the search warrant for the property. And who were you coordinating with during that? I mean who was your boss? That's Captain Jason Chapman. And after you'd received the call, did you confer with Captain Chapman? I did? And a result of as a result of that, what did you do? I went to the Sheriff's office, prepared the search warrant, was finally able to track down a magistrate. I had to wake him up out of his bed to sign the warrant, and I was able to secure a search warrant for the property.

11:52 Okay, and for forty one seven Mozilla, Yes, sir, what did you do after you got. The search want I notified everybody over the radio that I had the search warrant signed because I wasn't sure the SLED crime scene unit was waiting on me and it was still gonna take some time to get out there. And then I made my way to forty one forty seven Moselle Road with the warrant. Had you been out there before to forty one forty seven Mozille Never? When you went out there, did you know what your role was gonna be as you were going out there? I did not. When you got to the scene, tell us what happened. So when I pulled up, I noticed there were several SLED agents as well as Colleton County deputies at the scene.

12:38 I was basically the last one there, and I met with my supervisor, Captain Jason Chapman, and presented them with the search warrant as well as SLED. He asked me if I knew the Murdoch family, to which I applied. I did not. They then asked me if I was familiar with it a boat accident that happened in Beaufort, and my reply was I've heard of it, but I don't know the details. So with that information, they said, okay, you're going to be assigned as the liaison with the lead SLED agent on the case, who was identified as Senior Special Agent David Owen, and that my task was going to be to assist him with anything he may need that evening at the scene and throughout the investigation.

13:25 And I think we're for a prior testability, but the case was turned over to SLED for because of a potential conflict. That's incorrect. That was one of the things my captain advised me when I arrived at the search warrant. He advised me that SLED was going to be the lead agency on the case. And did you know special Agent David Owens prior for that night? I did not, But see, did you get to know him and actually. Get to work with and so I did, Yes, sir, And let's. Start out with that job. When you first got the forty one forty seven and you've got your instructions to who we're gonna work with, what were your observations? Tell these folks what you So the first thing as I approached the I'm sure you've all heard of the kennels, was the overwhelming smell and a lot of water on the ground by the kennels. And then the first body that I approached was the deceased male. He was laying face down at an angle with his feet inside the plane of the door. There was obvious trauma to the top of his head. He was covered with a sheet, but I could still see the top of his head from underneath the sheet. Obvious trauma. There was brain, blood, hair, skull matter all within the feed room and the ceiling.

14:41 There was a deceased female approximately thirty feet across from where his body was, and she was covered as well, but I had been told that they both had gunshot wounds to their heads. And then from there we UH located the nine one one caller, mister Alec Myrnall. Now, did you know if I was refer him to as Paul and Maggie? Did you know Paul Murdall and or Maggie Murdain? I did not. Had you ever seen him before you saw him laying dead on the ground. No, at that point, did you walk any of the rest of the scene.

15:25 Not. At that point we'll tell the folks what you did. Did. After that, we located UH, mister Murda Alec standing at the back of the there was his suburban and then there was I believe his brother Randy had arrived at the scene at that point and they were standing behind Randy's truck. Oh, so they couldn't see the scene anymore. So we approached him and asked if he would speak with us. He introduced the man standing next to him as his personal attorney, Danny Henderson, and he agreed to speak with us. By this point it had started to rain, so we utilized Agent Owen vehicle to do the interview.

16:08 Now, before we. Get to that that you had you made any other observations about bullet holes or shellcasings? Pried from that. Yes, there were shellcasings in front of Maggie's head area in front and to the left on the ground in between there was like a gravel area in between the two buildings. Had you seen what's been referred to as the feed room? And yes, okay, what did you observe in there? For you? Things inside the feed room. I did observe body matter that had been on the ceiling as well as covered in items. Inside the feed room. There was a shotgun wadding on the on the floor, inside the feed room, as well as droplets of blood on the concrete.

16:52 Could you see the holes in the window? Yeah, there was a window to the back of the feed room that had several holes in it. I will skip it. I want to skip the state before second art. After you took the statement, now we're gonna get into that. Did you go back and looky to see with either Captain Chapman, I say the she seen the shelters, the dog kennels. Did you end or Captain Chapman or anybody else have an opportunity to. Go back and look I did. Okay, tell the. Ladies and gentlemen, first of all, why do you did that? And what were your observations? Please? Man. Well, it was such a large scene. I decided to canvas the outer part of the scene. And while I was doing that, and keep in mind it was it was late at night, it was dark, so we had flashlights.

17:41 So while I was doing that, I noted some what appeared to me to be fresh shoe impressions in a sandy part of the shed on the left side of the hangar what we're describing as the hangar in between some tractors in the wall of the shed. There was ever rule fresh shoe impressions. And when you say fresh shoe impression kind of obvious. But what does that mean? It it means that they have been left fairly recently. What did they appear to you to be? They looked like a flat sandal flip flop type shoe, not particularly large in size. Yes, flat.

18:21 Were they one set of footprints or two? Based on your observation. It was one set of prints that looked like it went down one direction and possibly came. Back, No doubt about that in your mind, no doubt about it. So if you watched me, now, what was it like one set of prints going this way? Yes? And then it looked like one set of prints coming back this way? Yes, because they did overlap each other a little bit. And uh, did you? And who was with you when you were looking at this? I was by myself initially, and then I found my supervisor, Captain Chapman, and and showed him what I found. M Where were y'all wa walking when you were looking at the prints?

19:05 We'd made the decision at that point due to the type of incident that it was, and we didn't really know what we had yet to follow the footprints and see if there was any other additional evidence and find out where that person may have been trying to go. So what we did as we stayed to the left side of the shoe prints, closest to the tractors and and followed the the prints down, noted that they stopped at the end of the building, turned around and came back. And I'm gonna show you what's entered the State's one ninety four. Is that what you're just referring to? No, okay, what does this depict.

19:45 That depicts several what appeared to be brut bootprints on as well. Is this the same path y'all walked? Yes, okay, well let me show you Stage one ninety five. Do you recognize this? Yeah? Those are the the flat the flat n just the flat ones impressions. Promp shack tie this year we start them now. Please, we'll show what's mark State's twenty two. Do you recognize this and does it relate to your testimony?

20:58 Yes? It does? You dont understan without objection? Okay, some admit it? Are we all object. Let me go back to what's just been entered to States twenty two. You said you recognize that what is that detection. That's in front of the hanger the building, so Maggie would be to the right, and the shoe impressions I'm referring to would be on. The left and getting a little closer to you on states.

21:46 Yes, that's the left side of the hanger. Can you show in this picture the prints you were talking. About in the footprints? Yes? And then can you come down hangers to this permission? Her grief? These flat ones. Hard to see. There's a big flat. Ones, okay, and let me put the in states five two protecting. Yeah, these these flat impressions, these flat ones we'll see.

22:30 Were those foot impressions you saw that, not the flat ones? Yes? Okay? Were there any other foot impressions beside the flat ones that you saw? No, okay, on evening of June seventh, early morning June eighth or twenty twenty one. That's right, you're positive, positively, I think that's offers. And again, when you and the captain walked, how far were you from the. Sandals a foot to the left. Don't take this any bad way, but did some of those other princevie yours are the captain's. First, you know, a possible Okah.

23:17 Now you were a and and I'm gonna do this without putting it up. This is one of those pictures that we've uncovered, but I'm gonna. Show you States seven. You're a lady, yes, sir? Do you know what women's shoes look like? Yes? Sir? Did you go and look at Maggie's shoes she was wearing? I did? Why'd you do that? To see if they matched the flat impressions I had seen? And were they similar to you? Very similarities? And States two hundred do you recognize those? Yes? And what are those? Those are the sandals Ms. Murdle had on?

24:00 And did they f appear to be similar to the footprints you saw? Yes, fairy. Now did Mr Harputin or one of the investigators content you about these footprints? He did? Where was that a few weeks ago? And did they send you a picture. Of they did? Okay? Was the pictures we just put up? It was? And did you tell them that? Well? What did you tell them when they sent you down. That those were not my impressions? That those weren't you of impressions? In correct, volunteer and talk to him.

24:42 I did sent you a picture of the shoes yep, and you told him those weren't mine. Correct. Alright, let's get back to uh finch he said, uh. On the defendant, Richard Alexander Murdall. The defendant had said, introduced you to who before you started the interview? Danny Henderson said he was his personal attorney. His personal attorney. Yes. Did he want his attorney in the car with you? He did? Okay? And uh I believe he said it, rad Yes, sir, okay.

25:24 So what did y'all do to get out of the elements? We sat inside Asian Owens with sled inside his vehicle, and. Please tell the lady and gentlemen this year specifically where everybody was sitting. Asian Owen was in the driver's seat, Alec Murdall was in the front passenger's seat. I sat directly behind him, and then mister Henderson sat to my left. Please listen to me. M first time was that the first time you met alex Murdall? It was did he appear to you to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other intoxicant. When you saw him? He did not?

26:05 Did he appear to you to understand your questions? And s uh? Special Agent David Owen's questions when y'all were talking to. Him, he did. Were his. Answers to either you or Agent Owens timely? Yes? Were they subject matter appropriate? Yes? It were. Did you have any trouble understanding the defendant when you were talking to him? I did not. Did he appear to have any trouble understanding you and responding to your questions? He did not. He may have asked twice to repeat a question, but he was understanding what was being discussed. And on the nine one one tape, how long had Alex Murdoff told the nine to one operator had been to see Maggie Murdoff.

26:54 He's estimated one and a half to two hours to. Two hours one and a half to and on this take your interview? What had he said about singing Maggie? Who was the last time he had seen Maggie Maryland? Hm? Did she about two hours? Did he say he took a nap? He took a nap. Did he say where he went after that? To check on his uh mother with Alzheimer's in Hampton? Okay? Did you find that un youth? I did? Wow? Just the time of night? Whow with her h U being Alzheimer's patient. They tend to be worse at night, so I seemed it was strange to go visit.

27:44 In your interview. In Agent Owen's interview, did uh the defendant Alex Murdall tell you he tried to turn Paul over? He did? And did he say whether or not he had tried to check Paul's polps. And or Maggie's mourks? He stated he tried to check both. What what did mister Murdoff out the defeated that at Murdall said about the phone, if anything that was in Paul's possession. He stated his phone popped out of his pocket when when he tried to check his pulse. Did he try to turn him over? That's what he said.

28:25 I got a transcript here, But at the end of the media. Toward the end of the interview, did mister Murdoff say again he tried to. Turn over his son Paul Murdall? He did? Did he tried to check him? That's what he said. And I know I asked you at first, but I may not have done it too eloquently. Did he first tell you he tried to turn him up her? Yes, he did, and I figured it out, Yes, and his cell phone popped. Out of his park pocket.

29:07 That's correct, and and and everybody heard it, but then something with it, thinking maybe, then I put it back down really quickly. Then I went and it's you can't really understand the rest of 'em. Yes, m m oh, have you ever moved dead weight? I have? And before I get to it, the de t defended everything he'd been down to the kennels that night in this interview. No, after snap, where'd you say you went? Went to check on his mother in Hampton?

29:47 The court's permission? I and liked her. Detective come down, please judge, Yes. To tech. Now I'm gonna get well you he won't block and I won't block her. Did he shot? I gonna get backed over here? Yeah. Did the defendant tell you he tried to get the poets of. His son pal Murner? He did. Did he tell you where he tried to get the poles?

30:29 He didn't? Not, just that he tried to turn him? Say that last he tried to turn him? And he told you he tried to turn him more than once? Did he? Yes? He did? How many time? Did he tell you tried to turn him? Tw uh twice? Think you've testified, you've tried to live dead wife an I have? Can you describe what's around pal. Murner blood and brain matter? Okay? And if you were to wear. His hands underneath his body. If you were to check the pulse of his hands, how would you do it?

31:10 You would have to try to lift him up and get his arms out from under him underneath correct? Enrolling? Correct? By the way, where's his fun. Slaying on the back side of his shorts right there? Popped down? He said? Yes? Is that his brain? That is this tarpoutin said, blown out of his head? Correct? If you tried to. Take the take the pulse at the neck, how would you do it? You would have to try to lift his shoulder to get access his neck. This way correct, Whether you're this way?

31:53 Aren't this way? Well? Correct? He's the underneath up the head? Is that right? Yes? Does that? Yes? I'm sorry you have to go. Yeah, when you saw Alex Murdall when you first came up to you, I'm not fred. As she got to sit down at after a time. Why why are you questions or not? That chair? Well? I make sure we're something yet, Jose, apologize that question? I s I said, you just go back and sit down. Thank you.

32:40 When you. First saw Alex murdall. You have to call on. Did you observed, why just to make mental notes what he was wearing and how he looked. What were your matal that he was que. Say that again? So he was clean. When you were in the car with it, you were behind him, I was. Did you observe his hands I did.

33:21 Did you see his arms? I did? And when you were out on the side of the road beforehand, did you see his shirt? I did? His pants? Yes, his shoes yes. Now when you were at the scene, when you first got there, did you see any footprints in the book? No? Did you see the neat prints in the book? No? Anywhere around about? No?

34:02 Did you look at his shoes? I did? Okay, what kind of shoe? How much mass Murdof's shoes? What kind of shoes were? They were like an athletic tennis shoe. Did you see anything that appeared to be blood on his shoe? I did not. I want you to look at the lazies, gentlemen, this shirt. Did you see what appeared to be blood on Alex Murdolf's. Hands, I did not? On his arms? No, on his shirt, none, on his shorts, No, on his shoes? I did not. How long was this after the nine one one cough? Two hours? Thir two to three hours? All this fresh in is mine? Yes?

34:43 How would you describe the defendant's hands when you saw when you were interviewing you? How would you describe his hands? They were clean? Clean? How would you describe his arms? They were clean? How would you describe his t shirt clean? How would you describe his shorts clean? How would you describe his shoes? They were clean? Now, if you just listen to my questions, Uncle Lee, just just want to ask you one final question. Is the individual in this courtroom. Who told you he tried to take the pulse of Maggie and Paul? Is the individual in this courtroom he told you he tried to turn Paul over, told you that once twice.

35:28 Is the individual in this courtroom that you took that statement from that we saw on this video in this courtroom? And is the individual you described as clean from head to toe in this courtroom? Yes, he is. Please point him out for the jury. He's sitting at the defense table wearing a grayish brown jacket and a white shirt. John and we'd like to rector to reflect that she has pointed out the defendant, Richard Alexander murdauca and does thank youness on it. Now, this guy, he is the real life version of Mattlock, right, just phenomenal job here of hammering down really the one fact he wanted to display in all of this questioning, and that was how clean Murdall was. Look, y'all, you got two dead bodies, you got brain matter all over the place, ceilings, walls, floor, you got blood everywhere. And if you're Alex Murdall, you've made this claim that you turned your dead son over or attempted to turn him over, and that's how his cell phone fell out of his pocket and all those sorts of things, which, if you'll remember, Matter did do a great job of describing how hard it would be to turn someone over that is deceased.

36:53 He referred to it as dead weight. But he also made that comment. His shoes are clean, hands are clean, his shirt is clean, No blood anywhere on him, and y'all, that's not only strange, it's impossible, in my view. So the defense they got their work cut out for him, and here they are trying to unravel the prosecution's examination checked across. Good morning, Good morning. My name is Jim Griffin. Land. My name is Jim Griffin. Never the Ellen Murdoch. You had testified on direct examination a moment ago that that it was you believe someone unusual for mister Murdoch to go visit his mother as late as uh nine oh six on a Monday evening. You're called testifying.

37:55 I do. And and you were sitting in the car when he was being interviewed, and and you recall him saying that his father, mister Randolph Murdott, had just been put in the hospital that very day. That's correct, and that it was an unusual day because mister Randolph Murdoch was not with Mss Libby Randolph, and she gets anxious when that occurs. You remember that, I remember him saying something along those lines. And in that context, it's you don't criticize a son who goes to visit his mother who has early onset dementia on the very day, in the afternoon that the father is admitted to the hospital. You're not here to criticize him.

38:44 For that, are you. No. I didn't criticize I just made a mental note that that was interesting. And and you. You walked the crun scene when you arrived, and you made some mental notes and observations that you subsequently recorded in a report. Did you not? I did. And one of the things that you mentally noted and then subsequently reported was that there was a tremendous amount of blood spattered in the feed room area and around where. Paul was murdered. Is that correct? That's correct? And there was brain matter and organic matter all about the place where Paul was murdered.

39:32 Correct, that's correct. And I think you even described that there was matter that blood that went up to the ceiling and through the door and spatter everywhere. Right, it's correct. And you also told the jury that Alec was clean and you referred to his shirt was. Clean, correct, correct, his shorts were clean, correct, correct, And you have mister Matters shorts, shirts, shoes were clean. Correct, that's correct. He was clean. Correct. To my visual eye, he was clean, yes, And. To your visual eye it did not look like he had just blown his son's head off and the confines of a feed room were splatters everywhere.

40:19 Didn't that correct? I didn't say that. Well, let me ask you in your. Mind's eye that night on June seventh, did he look like someone had just blown his son's head off? Spatter going everywhere? Again, I can't say that for sure. A lot of things would come into play to affect that distance. It's one of them. Well, certainly, if he appeared that way on the night of June the seventh, you had sworn law enforcement officer, you would have initiated process to take him into custody. I suspect, wouldn't you. No, that was not my role that evening. I was just assisting. Well, one of the things you did that evening, Miss Rutland, was you obtained a search warrant?

41:01 Did you not? I did? And that was your first. Official duty in connection with this double homicide investigation. Right, That's correct, And. I'm gonna show you Exhibit three, your honor. I've shared it with mister Matters during the bread and absoluteness to identify it. You recognize the Exhibit three I do. This is the search warrant I got that night. You're on we'd move Exhibit three in the evidence this time, I believe, without objection, no objection, sending it in habit. So tellijury, please, Bob Exhibit three is well, first, let's just talk about a search warrant. What is a search warrant?

41:49 It grants us the right to search a certain item that may be potential evidence in a case. And this search warrant was for what proper. Forty one Mozelle Road and Islington, County of Caliton, State of South Carolina. And it and it covers the old roughly seventeen hundred acre for the whole property, does it not? That is correct? And it covers the house, the the residents where you went into the four yer right, correct, It covers all the outbuildings correct, correct, And it. Covers and it gives you the right to seize any type of evidence. Correct, that is correct.

42:35 I'm'a see if I can get mister Elmore to work, then you turn it on, please, And I've got to turn sun winnings alright, ship we could bring that ducket is there like internals? That's much better? And can we assume it? All? Right? Okay? Got it? So? And this is the search mark, right, yes it is. And it says description of premises to be searched. And here it's forty one forty seven Moselle Rhode Islington. And then there's a pen numbers what's the PIN number.

43:28 That's a property identification number that's assigned to every parcels of real property within the county. It's set by the tax office. And it says the property to be searched or any residences, vehicles, out buildings, kennels or sheds. Right, that is correct. And then it says the description of the property to search and to be seized, and that's under the description of property rank correct. And you prepared this document for the magistrates to sign. I did. And here. Says evidence that may be used or taken during the commission of a crime of homicide to include, but not limited any item tool, clothing, gloves, masks, hats, hoodies, shoes, boots, jewelry, firearms, ammunition, shellcasing, gunshot residue, weapons, identification documents, any paperwork, et cetera. It says any evidence inside vehicles, building property, any even is found on in outbuildings or sheds, any tire, shoe impressions, any and all of DNA, to include, but not limited to, fingerprints, touch DNA, et cetera. Any drugs, narcotics, drugs, paraphernalia, any and all selling your phones, phone records to include incoming outcoming calls, text messages, voice messages, et cetera. And then goes on to talk about photographs and whatnot. It's all encompassing,

44:59 isn't it. It is? And this is basically as broad as a search warrant that you draft because it's a homicide investigation and it gives you carte blanche on the property of the crime scene. Right, That's correct. And with the search warrant, you had to the authority to go in the house and look for unclean, dirty clothes. Did you not? That was I wasn't in that capacity that evening I was assisting. Well, the search warrant provided that authority to law enforcements. Did not It would have, yes, And you mentioned that you. Got into the law enforcement business because you're CSI TV junkie of swords.

45:39 Did I understand you to say that? Yeah? I was okay. And and you've seen CSI shows where they go and they look in the drains of showers of sinks and to see if blood residue had been recently flushed through there. That's possible, is it not? It could be And that's just not on. T I mean that's that's skills that Sleds Crime team has available to them. Correct. I don't know what they have available, but that would be a crime scene unit question the. And and actually there were the cleaning clothes that Alec Murdoch was wearing that night. They were seas were they not?

46:29 Yes? Okay? And the clean shoes were seized correct? Yes? And the clean shirt was seized, was it not? Yes? It was? And but that you were in the house when that happened, but you didn't collect the clothes. Right, I did not collect anything. I stood by in the foyer. And who did the collection? Do you recall, special Agent Owen? And when was he assisted by anybody? I was just standing by. Uh. They went to a back bedroom and I was in the foyer area. It was like an open floor plan. And and do you recall how that.

47:13 You recall what mister Owen Detective Owen, special Agent Owen apologize pet Owen? Uh? Special Agent Owen? Did uh you uh? Uh observe what he collected the clothes in? I did not did it? W would do he collect all the clothes and put him in one paperback? I don't recall. Now the jury heard. The complete video audio of the interview with Alec Murdoch on the evening of early morning hours of June the eighth.

48:00 And yet you were asked to repeat some of the things that he said. And and I want I want to, I mean, the tape speaks for herself. I don't want anyone to mis construe your testimony. So I just want to ask you, are you saying that mister Murdoch tried to turn his son over two times on that tape, or that on two occasions he described one incident that he tried to turn. His son over, the latter that he explained twice two different times. So so in answer to your questions, if anyone would. Walked away thinking that that Alan Murdoch told you that he tried to turn him over two times, that would just be mistaken. And we've now clarified it right.

48:49 Correct now, you never asked. Or special Agent Owen never asked mister Murdoch how he tried to turn his son over. Correct, That's what correct. And so see mister Matters crawling around on the floor down here as trying to reenact something. But that night he never was asked specifically, what did you do to try to turn your son. Over correct, that's correct. We did not ask now, and that night he was. Not asked specifically how the phone popped out of his pocket while you were trying to turn him over correct?

49:34 Correct? And that night he was not asked specifically how far were you able to move Paul, if at all, when you tried to flip him over correct correct? And in fact, did he really even say that I was trying to flipping over to check his pulse. I'd have to check the transcript. But if he said something along those lines, what did he tell. You where he tried to check Paul's pulse? He did not, So we don't know from your interview or Special Agent Owen's interview.

50:17 How he tried to turn him over, how the phone popped out, at least how Alix describes it, because he wasn't asked. And where on Paul's body he attempted to check his pulse? Right? Correct? And you were asked questions about whether there were knee prints and foot prints by Paul's body next to his body.

50:58 Right, yeah, someone's asked that. And and did you do such a forensic analysis investigation to see if there are bootprints or footprints around Paul's body. I looked with my eyes. And were you aware that before you got there? Well? Let me what time did you get there? Can I check my notes? Sure? Okay, you can take this down through mister Helmut. I think cat for them.

51:40 Twelve twenty two am. I was on scene, okay, twelve twenty two am, and and Paul's body and maggie bodies were covered up with a sheep but still present. Correct? Correct? So when you you. Were looking at Paul's body, just observing whether their footprints near him, you couldn't see right next to his body because of the sheet? Could you? The sheet was mostly on his body, not on the cement on the ground next to the body. Was it a fitted sheet? No, but it wasn't a queen sheet either?

52:22 Okay, then, curious seen photos of the sheet. Were you aware that Captain Chapman and others went around Paul's body and lifted the sheet up to see if there was a gun underneath him? Not at the time I was at the scene, though, Well take it. You did not observe their footprints anywhere in the area either, then, right? Not that I recall? And you said that.

53:03 Alex's pants were clean. I remember saying that. I remember saying that what color pants did he have on? Khaki? All right? And are you aware of any forensic testing that had been done to the pants to see whether there was blood. On the pants that night? Subsequently, No, there was nothing done that night forensically. That night, nothing was done forensically. Not before I interviewed him, now right, You just. Did not observe any blood on his pants or in his pocket. No, just simply speaking with him like this, looking him up and down, I did not see any blood on him.

53:47 And he didn't look like someone who had just been within feet of blowing Paul's head off. Right again, I can't say that. There's so many different factors that you have to take you into account. Now, you did a lot more, I believe that night after you left. Well, let's go back. When you got to the scene, you partnered up with.

54:32 Agan Ohen correct, that is correct? And and and you saw inside the shed, and you observe there was wadding on the floor near his feet, Paul's feet, And we say wadding. What do you talk about the internal components of a shotgun shell? And then you saw in the rear window of the shed there were several holes. Right, that's correct. And you describing your report that you saw large amounts of blood spatter and brain skull matter were on the door to the sheadow items within the storage building. You saw that, right, that's correct.

55:16 And then you went and examined Maggie this body, did you not? I wouldn't say examined. I would just say I looked. At her and well, one of the things that you noticed when you were looking at Maggie's body, I believe you said you noticed there are a few clumps. Of her hair and a broken earring were located near a UTV tire. Right, that is correct? And what's UTV tire?

55:56 I'm sorry, what do you mean by UTV. All terrain vehicle click? A four wheeler side by side? You mentioned that that you told investigators that were for me and mister Hart Poutley, and that that the boot prints were not yours in these photos. Right, that is correct. But now you told the jury that the boot prints are yours. That's incorrect. Those are not my boot prints. Whose bootprints are I don't know? Oh okay, that's why I get to do this. So jection these comments. Here's let's both questions.

56:40 So you don't know whose bootprints those are. No. Now, one thing about the search warrant that I asked you about earlier, it was do you have it up there? I couldn't remember I gave it back to. You or no, I don't think you did. It was ever executed? Was it? I handed this off to SLED agents once I was at the scene? Thank you? You said you handed the search warn't off the SLED agency. I did, But to your knowledge, was it ever executed?

57:23 Yes? It was? Oh you think it was executing? It was? And why do you say that? Because the SLED crime scene unit I was present while they were processing the scene and executing the search warrant. And so there are two ways that law enforcement can get access to property. One is the search warrant and one's by consent. Isn't that right? That's correct? Now? Are you aware that mister Murdock gave SLED Colliden County any law enforcement FBI carte blanche consent to search his property? That wasn't really to me. I was asked tasked with getting a search warrant, so I did, okay.

58:05 And once a search warrant it's executed, a return is filed with the matter who issued it? Right, that's correct? And you never filed return on that search warrant? Right, do you have it? Like I said, it was given to sled so so we'll. Find out more about that. But to your knowledge, I mean, you didn't file a return, That's all you. Can say, right, I don't recall. I have to check my notes. You heard on the tape. You heard mister Murdock say you can you can do anything looking for anything. Do you remember him just giving consent to whatever you.

58:51 Need as far as speaking with him, Yes, I remember him saying that. And and you walked back through the crime scene one last time before you cleared the area on the morning. Of the eighth. Is that right? You could say that we were I mean we were walking around the whole night and staying out of the way of the crime scene unit. Was it? Were you there after the crimson unit left? No, I was not. They were still processing when I left. Do you know whether or not the crime scene unit left shotgun pellets I have behind the in the fever.

59:38 I have no knowledge of any of that. Twenty thirty even more shotgun pellets left behind the feeding Were you aware of that? That you end up actually objection, it's the same. On Thursday June tent two days, three days. Thursday June of the tent, you went with SLED, A number of SLED agents in law enforcement agents went to meet with mister Murdoch, Miss Murdoch's brothers Randy and John Marmon, mister Murdoch's son, and they all agreed to to meet and you know, found a location in my outside of Barnbull.

1:00:38 I believe you remember doing that. I do, I remember doing that, and that was. During that I I believe you. And then a SLED agent interviewed mister Randy Murdock. Correct, that's correct, and. Mister Randy Murdoch agreed to allow. To download of his cell phone. Correct, that's correct, and gave consent, right he did. And mister Alec Murdoch, to your knowledge, gave consents to download. His cell phone right to my knowledgies. And mister John Martin Murdock did the same, correct, correct, And mister Buster Murdoch did the same.

1:01:20 Correct he did, And. Everyone gave a voluntary interview that day to your knowledge, right they did. And then a little bit later on the Wednesday, June sixteenth, you assisted sled when they went out to the Moseille property and went diving searching for Well, let me ask you when you assisted sled dive team. Well did you assist sled dive team on June sixteenth, twenty twenty one, and with a search the Moseille property focusing on waterways, ponds of Salcahatchie River access points for evidence from the crime?

1:02:10 Right, that's correct? Were you looking for the firearms that were used the murder Maggie and. Paul, We were looking for anything that could have been linked to their murders. And then you utilize ATVs and canvas the entire seventeen hundred acres plant. I did. That was my assignment that day, and. Once again that was done with consent by mister murder. Right, that is correct. And then went back the next day and dove another pond on the property. You remember doing that. I didn't dive, but I was standing by you. You were there, yes, and again that was with consent, right, correct?

1:02:55 And then you were given consent and you did a search of a F two fifty pickup that Paul normally drove. Right, that is correct. And while you were there, mister Davis shows up and mister Davis, you understood to be the caretaker for the. Dogs, right, Yes, that's what he explained. His job title was at Mozelle. And that did you observe him doing his work that day? I did? Did you watch him wash down the dog runs? I don't remember that part, but you were.

1:03:37 Able to look at his tire marks and making assessment as to whether they appeared to Max the tire marks that were seen under the shed portion next to the old airplane anger. Right, that's correct. He parks under the canopy next to the UTV. And then on Friday, June the eighteenth, you had a meeting and you looked at some photos I believe crime scene photos and autopsy photos that sled correct, I did.

1:04:20 And you made a metal note and you put it in your record that you noticed a few strands of what appeared to be brown hair, unable to determine the link from the photo in Maggie's hands and fingers, right, that is correct, and you thought that that possibly was indication of a struggle that Maggie had grabbed someone had their hair in her hands. Right. I didn't say that in my report, now, so why did you note it in your report because it was an observation. Well, you also noticed in your report that there were some injuries would appear to be to Paul's face, that like he had been some type of struggle, right.

1:05:00 I noted what to me could have been scratches or a bruise on his cheek. And we heard some. Testimony yesterday about a bolo on the lookout for a white pickup that Paul normally drives. I mean that pickup was found the next. Morning, correctly, that's correct. It was broken down. Yeah, and you learned through your investigation that Paul had switched vehicles with his uncle, John Marvin, and John Marvin was rushing to Moselle when he got the phone call in Paul's truck and it broke down the side of the road. Yeah, that's correct, it was mister. I believe mister Randolph struggled to get in and out of the truck.

1:05:50 Did collage. The County Sheriff's office put out a statement to the press. On the morning of June the eighth that there's no need to public to be alarm. I don't believe that came from our office. It did not come through CID for approval. I never seen that press release. So let was Alec Mardatt, your assistant, sled night of June the seventh morning, June the eighth with Alec. Mardat a suspect that night, everybody was a suspect, everybody?

1:06:38 Can you be more specific? Who else were suspects? Besides well, there was reasons we were asking certain questions. Who is best friend is? Who you know? Their their routine each day? There were so many different scenarios that could have been that night. So in my view, everybody was a suspect at that point, including al including Alec. Can you see that? Ms Rutherland? I can, yes, sir, Okay, well let's just stop right there. You see how far that sheet is on either side of Paul's body there. At this point in time? Yes, I see how it looks is Is. That how roughly how far it was across Paul's body when you got there?

1:07:20 No, because I could still I could see the top of his head. I love talking about, uh, the the width of his body? Was it that far across? I don't recall how it was cause I could s I could see parts of his body, but it was still on him. Okay, did you. Notice any foot thrips of the agent there inside the count. No. I believe he's standing on the in the food root in the feed room right. No, but. It was starting to rain, was the ad?

1:08:00 How far across the sheet was when you observed Paul's body? I don't remember, Like I said, when I got there, there was SLED agents as well as deputies standing around the scene, and I wasn't sure what had happened before I got there. I don't recall how the sheet was. What was the sheet on Paul's body the entire time you were walking the crump scene? No, Eventually it was removed when the crime scene unit was ready to process his body and. The uh. I just want to clear up when you said Alex was wearing khakis. Were you referring to shorts or long pants? Shorts?

1:08:41 Those are shorts he was wear? Yes? Were those khakis are green? Khaki style? Green? Okay? All right, that's all you can take it. Then. That's all the questions we have on. Mr Griffin asked you about some things you did after your interview the following days he did and you had mentioned a search warrant was executed. Were you working with SLED. After June A he's asked you about him and did you work with them in executing search warks. I did specifically on June nine, and you were who.

1:09:30 Were you working with, specially agent Owen, And I think this gri did. Miss Griffin asked you the the truck on the side of the road and went back to a brother, John Marvin. That's correct. So that was the white truck. Yeah, it was on the side of the road. Yes, and it belonged who did it belonged to John Marvin? Okay, and that was off the property of the celle. That's correct. So that's has nothing to do with this case as far as suspect than this killing does. No, it did not. You process to rule it out. Was that last thing we process and to rule it out. And he asked you about meeting with these folks and then talking to you. You were working with Sled doing that work. I was Sled was investigating this case.

1:10:11 Yes, m. Getting swaps, getting swabs from folks in general, getting swabs. I was present when swabs were taken. Yes, I'm not trying to say if you took them. I'm just following up on that's correct. Yeah, when you present when interviews were taken I was present? Yes? And who was leading those interviews? SLED? Who was in charge SLED? Were they investigating? They were investigating? Did you assist SLED with the initial timeline on phone calls? I did?

1:10:58 On June twelve? Did you assist and removing an internal computer black box of a Chevy Suburban? I did by standing by. On June fourteenth? Did you assist SLID in obtaining a search warrant for Maggie Murdall's Mercedes? I did? And was a lieutenant did in charge of that? He wasn't? Was SLED investigating? SLED was investigating? Was that what's referred to as the blue. Box black box?

1:11:38 Blieve Let's story about it? Were you with SLIDS when Maggie Murdall's Mercedes was tod? I was? Did y'all have a search warrant for that? We did? I think he asked him, did you were you with SLED when ponds were searched in the air? I was? That's its June sixteenth. Would you dispute that twenty twenty one? No, that's correct, And. I think mister Griffin asked you about a truck that if mister Davis was driving out of the shed.

1:12:21 Were you able to confirm that the tire tracks in the shed were his? I did by looking at them, by looking at 'em. Yes, m And I thinkster Griffin ask you did. Mister Davis said he was in and out of there a couple of times a day, twice a day. Yes, so those tracks inside the shelter were. Who's the the dog caretaker, mister Davis? And I think he asked you about water. Just remind you the night you were there, did you see water around the bodies? I did? He asked you about some injuries. I think that you had not his needy report. How did Paul fall face down at a name outside the feed room? On his hands and arms?

1:13:03 Okay, but his face hit what the gravel? Mister Griffin asked you about how many times the defended Richard Alexander Murdall had mentioned to turn his son Paul's body on Fake's two of the transcript or toward the front. Actually, I think I tried to turn Paul over first. You remember him saying that, Yes, you know, I tried to turn him over, and I don't know I figured it out.

1:13:47 Yes, and his cellphone popped out, correct, And I tried to do something. M M, thinking maybe, but then I put it back down. Correct were his words. I think I tried to turn him over, Yes, and later on I tried to turn him and then I tried to check it correct. I tried to turn him correct. He asked you about the sheet on the body. Did you see the front of the top of banish? Paul said, I did, And he asked you about the sheet over that body. I want to ask you about she When you saw Richard Alexander Murdopher, did he have a sheet over him?

1:14:30 And he did not? Could you see his face, his hands, his body, his pants and his shirt? I could? Did those are clothes appear to be fresh? They didn't like they just come out of the lawn tree. It could be. So that guy there, I'm sure, y'all he's a fine lawyer, but I was not impressed with him at all, and really through out this whole trial, I wasn't impressed with him. He totally got smoked by the prosecution with this witness. I mean, all he did with this was confirmed that laurd Rutland investigated the case. He tried to make a run at, accusing her of locking in to alex Murdall as a suspect right from the start, I guess, but in my opinion, he failed miserably. So the death knell in the coffin for this exchange, for sure, was the fact that Murdall was squeaky clean after claiming he checked for pulses, etc. On that very bloody crime scene. It just couldn't happen, in my opinion, and they did a great job of painting that picture to the jury. But that doesn't mean the defense doesn't have some wins in all of this, and as we go through the trial, we're going to cover some of those. Now we're going to speed this one up like we did today. Going forward,

1:16:01 as I said, I'm going to note all the witness testimony, but just give a brief insight into those that maybe were not as pertinent to the case. I'll only provide the deep dives into those that had really a major impact on the outcome of the case going forward. I want to thank all of you for listening, supporting, sharing. I can't tell you how much it helps and how much I love each and every one of you for doing that. And it's getting close to Christmas, so I hope everybody's enjoying the holiday times with family and friends.

1:16:54 I will be releasing some episodes next week. Look for those, and until next time for exposed scandalous files of the elite. I'm your host, Jim Chapman. Much you love