Alex Murdaugh trial: Lawyer, 54, to take the stand in his own defense in double homicide of wife and son
WALTERBORO, SOUTH CAROLINA: Disgraced legal scion Alex Murdaugh is planning to take the stand in his own defense in the controversial double murder trial of his wife and son. Murdaugh, 54, is charged with fatally shooting his wife, Margaret, 52, and their youngest son, Paul, 22, on the evening of June 7, 2021, at the family's sprawling hunting lodge.
However, the state argues the double homicide turned into a multifaceted case speculating that Murdaugh killed his family to allegedly cover his financial crimes. Whilst the 54-year-olds' next move, which appalled experts have described as "virtually unheard of," is to take the stand in his own defense.
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Alex Murdaugh plans to take the stand
"It's virtually unheard of to call a defendant to the stand to testify in his own defense because when you do, you open your client up to cross-examination which is basically a publicized interrogation with leading questions," said Lori Murray, a former prosecutor from South Carolina. "Instead, most defense attorneys focus on a lack of evidence against their client or, as in this case, shoddy police work. Remember the burden is on the state to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt," Murray added, reported Daily Mail.
He further added, "The defendant has no burden to prove his own innocence. However, in some cases, like this one, there are some facts that can only be explained by the defendant taking the stand. Alex almost has to take the stand to explain why he lied about his alibi and where his clothes are."
Murdaugh was reportedly returning home after meeting his mother when he found his wife and son dead. Although jurors have heard evidence from a video taken by Paul moments before he died where Murdaugh's voice can be heard in the background along with Maggie's.
'He will be capable of handling himself on the stand'
Murdaugh's attorney claimed he only discovered the pair after they were shot dead. Simultaneously, his housekeeper also testified that Murdaugh's clothes and shoes that he was wearing the tragic evening went missing. Murray said, "The defense also knows the jury will want to hear from him, and it's his chance to talk about his love of his family and to show the emotion that could sway the jury. Hopefully, as an attorney and due to detailed preparation by his attorneys, he will be capable of handling himself on the stand."
Although following his murder trial, Murdaugh will face additional 100 charges ranging from drug trafficking to embezzling millions from clients and other attorneys.