The trial of Alex Murdaugh, a prominent South Carolina lawyer accused of arranging his own shooting last year to collect a $10 million insurance payout, continues with the final witnesses taking the stand. The trial is being closely followed in the state due to the prominence of the Murdaugh family, which has a long history of political power and influence.
On Friday, the prosecution called to the stand several key witnesses, including a forensic expert who testified that the bullet that struck Murdaugh in the head was fired from a gun found in the trunk of a car owned by one of the defendants. The expert also confirmed that the gunshot wound was not self-inflicted.
The defense, meanwhile, called on several witnesses to challenge the credibility of the prosecution’s case, including a former police officer who testified that he had heard rumors that the shooting was a setup. The defense also attempted to cast doubt on the prosecution’s forensic evidence, arguing that it was not reliable.
The trial is expected to continue next week, with the defense expected to call additional witnesses. Murdaugh has pleaded not guilty to charges of insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
