By Andy Ann
On Monday, Jan. 23 the jury selection process began for what has been dubbed, “The trial of the century.” at Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro for Richard Alexander “Alex” Murdaugh. Out of 900 prospects that were summoned, twelve jurors and six alternates will need to be determined. The case is certainly history in the making for the Lowcountry.
Disgraced attorney Murdaugh has been accused of killing his wife, Maggie, and his youngest son, Paul, on the family’s hunting estate Moselle located in Islandton on June 7, 2021. Because of the prominent status of the Murdaugh name and the nature of the crimes that the disbarred attorney has been indicted for, it has garnered attention at an international level.
Murdaugh comes from a long line of men in the family that practiced law or served as circuit judges in Hampton and Colleton Counties. His family legacy of power and position dates back for about 100 years over several generations,
There have been podcasts, documentaries, news reports, and more regarding the Lowcountry murder mystery that has created an almost cult-like following from people from all over the world. In the wake of this horrific tragedy, the county seat located in Walterboro, South Carolina has been thrust into the spotlight for the duration of the trial.
The small town has become the temporary residence for journalists, reporters, and crime show “groupies” as the world awaits to hear the answers to so many questions.
In the early morning hours reporters, cameramen, and law enforcement dotted the landscape around the courthouse building and grounds. Several were reporting live in anticipation of the start of the day’s agenda.
Once the courthouse officially opened its doors, there were seats reserved for representatives from many national media outlets, including Court TV. For the security and protection of the potential jurors, Judge Clifton Newman made the decision that only an audio broadcast would be permitted during the jury selection process.
Through a long series of questions, county residents that had been summoned were either exempted and excused or selected for the pool of potential jurors. At one point, Newman asked the prospects to stand if they knew anything about the defendant and his case. Every single prospective juror stood in one swift motion.
When asked, every possible source of information about the case such as Facebook, local news, newspapers, and podcasts were named. A few potential jurors had indicated that they knew the Murdaugh family in some fashion or were related.
Murdaugh is facing two counts of murder through this trial and his guilt or innocence will be decided by the jurors and judge. He is also indicted for over 100 counts of financial crimes. He has been accused of stealing money from his law partners and clients and the prosecution team is suggesting that Murdaugh’s financial problems may be a motive for murder. If convicted, prosecutors are seeking life without parole.
Outside across the street, the Walterboro Wildlife Center is serving as a media hub for many media outlets to converge as needed for respite away from the courthouse. In the parking lot next to the center, several food service trucks were parked making food selections available to expedite the needs of the many reporters, court personnel, law enforcement, and potential jurors in the immediate area.
To add to the day’s event, a few local residents held a peaceful protest in front of the water fountain at the corner of Jefferies Boulevard and E. Washington Street. The demonstrators hoped to capitalize on the media coverage from the trial to get their message out about their stance against a halfway house that is slated to open within the community.
It is anticipated that the jury selection process will continue for another day or so, followed by pre-trial motions. The next three weeks have been slated for the trial; however, the length of the trial is completely contingent on how proceedings carry on. In the end, it could be a much longer trial than presently expected. Murdaugh has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him and his defense team maintains his innocence.
