Alex Murdaugh’s defense found focus group had ‘a really hard time’ believing state’s claim that disgraced legal heir murdered his wife and son to distract from ‘money trouble’, says former state attorney general
- Charlie Condon said that undermining the motivation put forward by the prosecution turned up ‘the top’ result for the defense when carrying out tests
- The State argues Murdaugh shot Maggie, 52, and Paul, 22, at their hunting lodge to divert attention away from the millions he was embezzling from his law firm
- But Condon said the defense found ‘a lot of people have problems believing that’
Alex Murdaugh‘s defense team found a focus group had ‘a really hard time believing’ the prosecution’s claim the legal scion murdered Maggie and Paul to distract from his financial crimes, a former South Carolina attorney general has revealed.
Charlie Condon said that undermining the motivation of ‘money trouble’ put forward by the prosecution turned up ‘the top’ result for the defense when carrying out tests ahead of trial.
The State argues Murdaugh shot Maggie, 52, and Paul, 22, at their hunting lodge in Islandton, South Carolina, to divert attention away from the millions he was embezzling from his law firm.
But Condon said he knew from ‘a very reliable source’ on the defense team that ‘a lot of people have problems believing that’.
Charlie Condon said that undermining this aspect of the prosecution case turned up ‘the top’ result for the defense when carrying out tests ahead of the trial
lSouth Carolina attorney general Alan Wilson is seen talking with John Marvin Murdaugh and Former South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon at the double murder trial on Monday. Murdaugh and his attorney Jim Griffin are seen in the foreground
Speaking to ABC News 4, Condon said: ‘The reason they’re using it is because they know through the focus group that people have a really hard time believing that someone that has money trouble would be motivated then to kill his wife and son.’
Murdaugh’s defense attorney Dick Harpootlian has frequently branded the State’s alleged motivation ‘ludicrous.’
Condon added: ‘Notice how Judge Newman shot down the “ludicrous” argument because he’s probably tired of hearing it.’
Condon added: ‘The state’s theory is it’s the white collar turning into blood red collar because of the financial crimes – turning into horrible violent crimes, horrible murders. A lot of people do have problems believing that.’
The former Republican AG was spotted in court last week appearing to have a friendly conversation with Alex’s brother, John Marvin and the current South Carolina AG Alan Wilson.
The trial is taking place at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, a sleepy, rural town 50 miles west of Charleston in a low-lying region of South Carolina over which the Murdaugh family has wielded immense judicial and political power.
Murdaugh’s lawyer, Harpootlian, who is a Democrat state senator, kicked off the trial by stating it was his ‘honor’ to be representing the alleged killer.
Indeed, in the courtroom where Murdaugh faces judgment, a portrait of his late grandfather – legendary longtime 14th Circuit Solicitor Buster Murdaugh Jr. – had hung on the wall before it was removed ahead of the trial.
Prosecutors have said Murdaugh killed his wife and child to generate sympathy and distract from his financial crimes, an alleged motive that Murdaugh’s lawyers have argued doesn’t make sense.
But he has adamantly insisted from the moment he found the bodies of his wife and youngest son shot multiple times that he was not the killer.
Former Attorney General Charlie Condon sits during jury selection at the trail of Alex Murdaugh at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on Tuesday
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson listens in court during the double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh at the Colleton County Courthouse on Wednesday, February 1
Following the murder trial, Murdaugh will have to face more than 100 additional criminal charges, ranging from drug trafficking to allegations that he stole nearly $9million from clients and other attorneys.
Prosecutors say Murdaugh lured his wife and son to their 1,700-acre hunting lodge and shot them dead.
The state also claims that his life was spiraling out of control amid years of opioid addiction and ballooning debts.
Murdaugh pleaded not guilty in June, and the blockbuster trial is expected to include wild allegations of dark family secrets, financial ruin and hedonistic excess.
In total, over 220 people could testify against Murdaugh in the trial.
