Crime scene expert Tim Palmbach testified on Monday in the double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, a disgraced South Carolina attorney, that he believes two different shooters killed Murdaugh’s wife and son. The theory had been circulating since the murders were committed on June 7, 2021, as two different weapons were used and no evidence has been presented suggesting either victim tried to defend themselves. Defense Expert Testifies to Two Shooters in Murdaugh Trial as Jury Prepares to View Crime Scene.
Defense Expert Testifies to Two Shooters in Murdaugh Trial as Jury Prepares
Palmbach’s testimony is the first to suggest the two-killer theory in the trial. He testified that the likelihood of two shooters was mostly common sense. All evidence so far has indicated that the two people killed were shot close to the same time. They stopped using their cell phones within seconds of each other. Both victims appeared to be surprised, with their hands down, and no evidence either of them tried to come to the other’s aid or was running away.
Maggie Murdaugh, 52, was shot four or five times with a rifle, while Paul Murdaugh, 22, was killed by two shotgun blasts near kennels on the family’s sprawling Colleton County property. The second, fatal shotgun blast to Paul Murdaugh’s head was at close range, meaning blood, skull fragments, other matter, and possibly pellets would have been launched back at the shooter, Palmbach said.
In addition to Palmbach’s testimony, one of Murdaugh’s brothers ended the defense’s case by promising his nephew that he would find his killer and has not yet done so. Murdaugh, 54, is charged with murder in the deaths of his wife and son and faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted.
The trial has garnered national attention due to the Murdaugh family’s status as prominent lawyers in the state and their connections to other high-profile cases. The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks, with both the prosecution and defense presenting their closing arguments in the coming days.
Crime scene expert Tim Palmbach testified on Monday in the double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, a disgraced South Carolina attorney, that he believes two different shooters killed Murdaugh’s wife and son. Palmbach’s testimony suggested that the second, fatal shotgun blast to Paul Murdaugh’s head was at close range, meaning blood, skull fragments, other matter, and possibly pellets would have been launched back at the shooter. “That shooter ‘minimally was stunned — probably blood and material in his eyes and maybe have been injured and would have taken some degree of time to recover,” Palmbach said. He also noted that carrying two long guns would have been cumbersome and awkward given that the rifle used to kill Maggie Murdaugh could have had a clip carrying 20 to 30 bullets. “You can’t handle and shoot both of them,” he said.
The defense used Palmbach’s testimony to argue that investigators failed to thoroughly collect crime scene evidence and to sow doubt about expert testimony for the prosecution stating that authorities did everything possible to find the killer. The defense also pointed out that neither weapon used in the shootings has been found, that state agents at the scene didn’t look for footprints or fingerprints, and that no evidence of blood, brain matter, or other material from the killings was found on Alex Murdaugh or his clothes. Palmbach added that the shooter “would have been literally covered in all that material.”
In cross-examination, prosecutors focused on Palmbach’s analysis that the fatal shotgun blast was fired from above Paul Murdaugh’s head, even though hair, blood, and other material were found on the ceiling above in a storage closet the family called the feed room. Palmbach said the force of gases from the shotgun blast was like a bomb inside the enclosed skull, sending particles out of the same hole the shot created.
Alex Murdaugh cried several times during the graphic testimony. Monitors in the courtroom audience were covered as they have been whenever crime scene and autopsy photos are shown.
An important part of Alex Murdaugh’s defense is to show that investigators failed to thoroughly collect crime scene evidence and to sow doubt about expert testimony for the prosecution stating that authorities did everything possible to find the killer. The trial has garnered national attention due to the Murdaugh family’s status as prominent lawyers in the state and their connections to other high-profile cases. The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks, with both the prosecution and defense presenting their closing arguments in the coming days.
The defense in the Alex Murdaugh trial continued on Monday, with witnesses testifying about the crime scene and investigation. One witness, forensic pathologist Dr. Thomas Palmbach, suggested that there were likely two shooters involved in the killings of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. He argued that one of the shooters was likely injured and would have needed time to recover before fleeing the scene. Palmbach also claimed that carrying two long guns would have been too cumbersome and that the shooter would have been covered in blood and other materials.
The defense also sought to cast doubt on the investigation, highlighting the fact that the weapons used in the killings have not been found and that investigators did not thoroughly collect crime scene evidence. They also challenged the prosecution’s expert testimony, suggesting that authorities did not do enough to find the real killer.
John Marvin Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh’s brother, was the final defense witness. He testified that state agents had told him they had a shirt covered in blood that proved his brother was the killer, but that evidence has not been presented at trial. He also spoke about his experience at the crime scene, saying he saw blood, brains, and a piece of Paul Murdaugh’s skull, and felt compelled to clean up the scene.
The judge in the case, Clifton Newman, agreed to let the jury visit the family property and see the crime scene, despite objections from prosecutors. The defense argued that it was important for the jury to see the small size of the feed room where Paul Murdaugh was killed and its proximity to Maggie Murdaugh’s body. The visit was scheduled for after prosecutors finish their reply case, likely on Wednesday. The judge agreed to additional security measures for the property, which is under contract to be sold for $3.9 million.
Overall, the defense strategy has been to raise doubts about the investigation and prosecution’s case against Alex Murdaugh, while suggesting that there may have been other parties involved in the killings. The trial is set to continue with the prosecution’s reply case and the jury’s visit to the crime scene.