The Murdaugh Murders, Money & Mystery | Unsolved South Carolina

Creighton Waters, Savanna Goude, John Meadors and David Fernandez joined S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson to share insights with the Unsolved South Carolina team from their experiences in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial. Podcast host Anne Emerson is joined by legal analyst Charlie Condon, producer Drew Tripp and reporter Tara Jabour to share highlights of this exclusive and intimate interview with the faces of the State's Murdaugh prosecution team.Please be sure to check out Finding Brittanee Drexel, another podcast series from the Unsolved South Carolina team!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you've listened to this podcast and followed the Murdaugh saga, then you likely know the names Tommy Moore and Sandy Smith. ABC News 4 and the Unsolved South Carolina team were privileged to have them accept a joint invitation for an interview last week, and we're sharing highlights of that interview here.READ: Attorney: SLED investigating Stephen Smith's death as a homicideFROM THE ARCHIVES: The Death of Stephen Smith, Part 1 | The Death of Stephen Smith, Part 2Sandy is the mother of Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old young man found dead in the middle of a dark country road in Hampton County in July 2015. Stephen was in college studying nursing when he died. He also happened to be an openly gay man in the conservative, rural South. How Stephen died remains a mystery. Sandy has long suspected he may have been the victim of a hate crime, while the Hampton rumor mill churned with the name "Murdaugh" for years.Meanwhile Tommy Moore is one of the dozens of people to have fallen victim to notorious attorney-turned-thief and convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh. We were the first to share Moore's story with the public in January 2022 after an avalanche of fraud and money laundering charges came pouring down on Murdaugh. The connection between Moore and Sandy Smith and the Murdaughs comes full circle in a bizarre way. Moore recently divulged he helped lead Highway Patrol's investigation into Stephen's 2015 death.READ: Sandy Smith & Tommy Moore agree Stephen Smith didn't die in a hit-and-runMoore and his Highway Patrol colleagues insisted Stephen's death was not related to an automobile hit-and-run based on evidence available at the time; rather, they felt it appeared Smith's body had been dumped in the roadway after being killed elsewhere. However, other law enforcement agencies, death investigators and medical officials seemed disinterested in pursuing a homicide probe into Stephen's death.The case went cold, but Sandy's fight to bring justice and closure for her son never waned. Then, the case gained national attention as part of the broader Murdaugh criminal saga in the summer of 2021. But how are the Murdaugh's connected? Initially, several witnesses interviewed by Highway Patrol back in 2015 and 2016 told Troopers someone in the Murdaugh family was connected to Stephen and may have knowledge of his death. But attempts to track down those rumors led nowhere. It's an allegation never proven, and one which Buster Murdaugh vehemently denies.READ: New details in 2015 Stephen Smith death investigationLittle else was heard about Stephen's case until the summer of 2021 when SLED announced out of the blue it was opening a new investigation into Stephen's death based on evidence and information gathered while concurrently investigating the June 2021 murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. And as of March 21, 2023, SLED confirms to the Smith family's lawyers that they're officially considering Stephen's case a homicide investigation. That's welcome news to both Sandy Smith and Tommy Moore.Listen along as reporters Anne Emerson and Tara Jabour join former S.C. Attorney General Charlie Condon and retired S.C. Highway Patrol Lt. "Trooper Bob" Beres to share highlights of the interview with Sandy and Tommy, and offer insight into the story.READ: Independent autopsy to be performed on Stephen SmithSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Colleton County Sheriff's Detectives Laura Rutland, Daniel Greene and Jason Chapman were among the first on the scene the night of June 7, 2021, after Alex Murdaugh murdered his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. And while it was almost unthinkable in the first few hours after the killings, these detectives said they picked up right away on things that weren't adding up -- primarily focusing on Murdaugh's demeanor, emotions and body language. Plus, the detectives respond to rampant criticism of investigators throughout the trial, saying some of the complaints against them were far from fair or reasonable. Join hosts Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp as they discuss the new details learned from this exclusive interview.Want to hear more from the Colleton County investigators? Check out the links below to the stories Anne Emerson and Tara Jabour have published on the topic.EXCLUSIVE: First CCSO responders to Murdaugh murders talk about the case and trial | WCIV (abcnews4.com)CCSO investigators respond to criticisms by defense in Murdaugh trial | WCIV (abcnews4.com)CCSO deputies dig deeper into Murdaugh's motives for killing wife and son | WCIV (abcnews4.com)You can catch up on all of our Murdaugh coverage, old and new, by visiting the special Murdaugh Murders section on the ABC News 4 website. Charleston Murdaugh Murders | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | WCIV (abcnews4.com)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Murdaugh murder trial recap and Q&A with Unsolved South Carolina podcast hosts Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp .See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Judge Newman offers stunning rebuke of Alex Murdaugh as he gives him two life sentences for the murders of Maggie & Paul. Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon & Drew Tripp recap a stunning final day of the #MurdaughTrial.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After less than three hours of deliberations, a jury found Alex Murdaugh guilty on all counts Thursday evening for the June 7, 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and youngest son, Paul, in a trial that spanned more than five weeks and drew attention from across the nation to rural Colleton County, South Carolina. Murdaugh was found guilty on two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He will be sentenced Friday morning, March 3, by Judge Clifton Newman. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The State ties the loose threads in its closing arguments against Alex Murdaugh as his double murder trial nears a conclusion. Prosecutors implored the jury not to let Murdaugh fool them the way he fooled so many others. Did the message land? Join Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon & Drew Tripp for a full breakdown. #MurdaughTrialSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The State's forensic expert Ken Kinsey headlines a powerful final day of testimony in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial, picking apart the Defense expert's claims about alternative shooting theories. Plus, forensic pathologist Dr. Ellen Riemer stands up to Dick Harpootlian's onslaught of questions criticizing her autopsy. Also in this episode, Murdaugh's former law partner Ronnie Crosby defends his integrity in a heated exchange with Harpootlian, and a forensic cell phone expert spends his weekend doing somewhat less than scientific research into throwing cell phones, and all the hog hunting content you ever (never?) wanted. Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon & Drew Tripp break down the highlights and look ahead to what's next as trial nears its end. #MurdaughTrialSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alex Murdaugh's Defense team uses expert witnesses to question autopsy findings in the Murdaugh murders, while also using a forensic expert's testimony to advance a two-shooter theory. Plus, Alex's brother John Marvin Murdaugh offers emotional testimony about his relationship with Paul Murdaugh. Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp review the highlights. #MurdaughTrialSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Prosecutors zero in on the holes and contradictions in Alex Murdaugh's alibi in a high-pressure day of testimony. Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon & Drew Tripp cover the major moments in depth.#MurdaughTrialSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alex Murdaugh takes the witness stand in his double murder trial. Anne, Charlie and Drew break down the highlights of the testimony, contradictory statements by Alex, and the effectiveness of the State's cross examination from a blockbuster day in court.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alex Murdaugh's defense lawyers went all-in today on their strategy of putting the State's murder investigation under a microscope of intense scrutiny. But the testimony of one key witness, Murdaugh's former law partner and friend Mark Ball, may have backfired on the defense. Other topics: Did the Defense score any points with their forensic experts; Will Alex Murdaugh testify? What does he have to lose if he does?Join Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp as they go through an eventful day.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Attorney Jim Griffin gets his wrist slapped by Judge Newman, Buster Murdaugh takes the stand in defense of his Dad, and the defense calls an expert witness who tries to show Alex Murdaugh couldn't have been the gunman. Do you buy the theory the shooter could've been 5'2" as the defense suggests? Anne, Charlie and Drew go through the highlights from another interesting day in the Murdaugh double murder trial.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The State rests its case with their final timeline of evidence for the night of June 7, 2021. Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp share the highlights.Please be sure to also check out our other Unsolved South Carolina podcast project, Finding Brittanee Drexel. https://art19.com/shows/brittanee-drexel-unsolved-south-carolinaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eddie Smith and the roadside shooting take center stage in the Murdaugh murder trial. Join Anne, Charlie and Drew to break down another revealing day of testimony and answer your questions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Damning alibi inconsistencies were spotlighted and glaring loose ends were tied in a key day of testimony for the prosecution in the murder trial for Alex Murdaugh. However, Murdaugh's defense team fired back with stunning blows against the state's investigation, pointing out numerous missed opportunities, misssteps and outright failures that could've either convicted Murdaugh or exonerated him straightaway. Meantime, the State and Defense continue flirting with the idea of Murdaugh associate Curtis Edward Smith testifying. Only 36 hours ago, it seemed increasingly unlikely. By late morning Wednesday, it was all but guaranteed not to happen, with Judge Newman ordering nobody and nothing from the Labor Day 2021 weekend roadside shooting will be admitted. But by the end of the day, the crazy train had come full circle, with the Defense kicking down the door to "Cousin Eddie" and hinting at a wild new theory of what really happened to Maggie and Paul.Join Anne, Charlie and Drew as they try to make sense of a bizarre, sometimes flabbergasting day of court in the Murdaugh murder trial. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maggie Murdaugh's sister Marian Proctor offers eye-opening testimony into Alex Murdaugh's state of mind after the murders and background on his history of drug abuse as the State continues pushing its theory of motive. Plus, more insight into Alex's finances, enlightening testimony from the caretaker for the dogs, and the latest on what's happening with Eddie Smith. Join Anne Emerson, Charlie Condon and Drew Tripp for the analysis and recap.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Graphic autopsy photos, DNA samples, blood testing, COVID-19, vehicle location data and more dominate a day filled with new revelations in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial. Join Charlie Condon, Anne Emerson and Drew Tripp to break it all down.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An astounding day of testimony from Murdaugh's former housekeeper blows up the defense's insistence there was no strife in the Murdaugh household related to the boat crash and finances in the days ahead of the murders. Plus, a longtime friend of Paul Murdaugh who worked at his father's law firm offers a look at some questionable things happening involving Alex Murdaugh in the months before the killings.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Murdaugh's best friend gives an intimate look at person he thought he knew: a devoted father and loving husband who always put his family first. Was Chris Wilson deceived by a master manipulator and ruthless criminal as the State suggests? Or has the Defense now derailed the prosecution's attempt to portray Murdaugh as a stone-cold killer?Anne, Charlie and Drew talk about this and much more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.