Murdaugh defence seeks dismissal citing agent misconduct

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 21:38 · Archive

Alex Murdaugh's legal team is asking that murder charges against him be dismissed, claiming the lead agent lied under oath.

Alex Murdaugh's legal team filed a motion to dismiss all murder charges relating to the deaths of his wife Maggie and son Paul, arguing that SLED Senior Special Agent David Owen, the lead case agent, gave false testimony under oath. The motion alleges that Owen testified to blood spatter evidence on Murdaugh's white T-shirt despite the state's laboratory confirming eleven months before his testimony that there was no human blood on the garment.

The defence's 235-page filing also claims that Owen presented false forensic evidence to the grand jury, testifying that shotguns of similar make and load were found on Murdaugh's property but later admitting at trial that he knew this statement was false. According to the defence, Owen stated he was permitted to use 'trickery' during suspect interviews.

Murdaugh was convicted of the murders in March 2023 but was granted a new trial by the South Carolina Supreme Court this year after the court ruled that jury tampering by former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill had affected the trial's outcome. The defence's filing includes 31 exhibits supporting its claims of prosecutorial misconduct and evidence mishandling.

How it is being reported

• Murdaugh defense accuses the state, SLED investigators of misconductAlex Murdaugh’s defense team filed a 235-page compendium requesting the judge dismiss his murder incitements due to alleged misconduct from the prosecution.WISTV · 2 Nov, 21:01
• Murdaugh’s legal team asks for murder charge dismissal, claims lead agent lied on standAlex Murdaugh’s legal team is asking that all criminal charges against him relating to the night his wife and son were killed be dismissed, saying the lead agent on the case allegedly lied on the stand.Live5News · 2 Nov, 17:42

In this story: Alex Murdaugh · David Owen · Maggie Murdaugh · Paul Murdaugh · Becky Hill · SLED · Colleton County · South Carolina Supreme Court

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