Murdaugh’s attorney: Revealed texts with drug dealer could have altered case

New uncovered SMS stories between the cessed former lawyer Alex Murdaaugh and his alleged drug seller might have drastically modified the protection’s check technique and presumably had prevented a conviction, in line with major protection lawyer Dick Harpootlian.

Harpootlian, an skilled lawyer in South Carolina and former Senator of the State, advised Fox Information Digital that the texts between Murdaaugh and Curtis “Eddie” Smith, not too long ago unveiled by Fitsnews” weren’t offered for protection through the trial. Their absence, he stated, could have contributed to an necessary resolution to not name Smith on De Standaard.

“One of many huge selections in each course of like that is who you name as witnesses,” defined Harpootlian. “We weren’t conscious of those texts. If we had been, it might need made a distinction in our resolution. These messages provide new perception into the timeline of drug divisions, some who happen the week of the murders.”

Alex Murdaaugh sits within the Colleton County courthouse along with his authorized staff, together with Dick Harpootlian, Center, and Jim Griffin, whereas his attorneys are discussing actions for Choose Clifton Newman in a listening to of December 2022. (Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune Information Service)

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Smith, who is claimed to have been the first drug provider of Murdaaugh, was not prosecuted, regardless of what Harpootlian described as proof that he might need been one of many largest Oxycontin distributors within the state of Palmetto.

“Everybody who was charged argued responsible – besides Eddie Smith,” he stated.

The SMS stories present that Smith and Murdaugh within the days previous to Murdah’s homicide of his spouse Maggie and his youngest son, Paul, on 7 June 2021, on 7 June 2021, performed on the looking property of their household in Colleton County, South Carolina.

“Hey brother, I’ve to come back and get the Thech (sic), you will have one with you otherwise you go in later,” SMS “Smith Murdaaugh on June 3, 4 days earlier than the murders.

Murdaugh replied that he could be again that afternoon and that he “needed to do with some bulls this morning.”

Conviction of assassin Alex Murdaugh speaks along with his lawyer, Dick Harpootlian, Friday, November 17, 2023, in Beaufort, South Carolina. (James Pollard/ AP photograph)

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“Okay brother, simply give me a shout,” textual content smith, later including, “leaving the home now.”

The day earlier than the murders, Murdah Smith textual content: “Name me again.”

Inside two minutes the morning after the homicide smith Murdaaugh: “Inform me what I heard is just not true”, and “please me please.”

These lyrics didn’t return, and round 6.30 pm, and Smith SMS’TE Cryptic Murdaaugh, ‘In Fishing Gap’.

After that message was not returned both, he texted: “803 *** ** 13 It will not proceed on my cellphone.”

“These texts that we do not have point out somewhat extra of the timeline of these distributions, and a few of them are the week of the homicide,” stated Harpootlian. “And we weren’t conscious right here. If we had been conscious of this, it would make a distinction in our resolution to not name Eddie Smith on the usual.”

He additionally expressed his concern that Smith had not been prosecuted for his alleged function in promoting medication to Murdaugh.

Alex Murdaaugh, convicted of killing his spouse, Maggie, and youthful son, Paul, in June 2021, is throughout a listening to a couple of movement for a brand new trial, Tuesday January 16, 2024, within the Richland County Judicial Middle in Columbia, South Carolina.

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“And he was not prosecuted. [He’s] I would hear from the state by means of the streets, and we’re perplex why Eddie Smith acquired this preferential remedy as soon as Alex was convicted, there was no motive to not proceed and proceed him, “stated Harpootlian.” Everybody has responsible. All others who had been sued has responsible besides Eddie Smith. Now these texts would have given us extra data that we consider, and I’ve spoken [co-counsel] Jim Griffin. It might have made the distinction that we referred to as him to the stand or not name him to the stands. So sure, they’re necessary. “

Murdaugh is already interesting to his conviction, largely primarily based on accusations of jury tampered by Colleton County Clerk from Courtroom Becky Hill. She was arrested and accused of obstructing justice and misconduct in that incident.

She was additionally accused of Meineed in Richland County in reference to the case, after she reportedly lied to the Supreme Courtroom of the State of Justice Jean Toal through the 2024 enchantment process.

“We now have an enchantment primarily based on errors of the decide through the trial, and naturally the try by – or maybe she made the efforts of the clerk, Becky Smith, to resolve the jury. And that could be a big downside,” stated Harpootlian. “Lots of the folks now we have seemed on the attraction consider that now we have a considerable likelihood of getting a brand new course of, solely on the idea of the jury tampering.”

Clerk of Courtroom Becky Hill is accused of messing with the jury within the double homicide strategy of Alex Murdaaugh. (Fox Nation)

He stated that if they don’t win a brand new course of, there’s a chance that they’ll submit a Habeas Petition that desires to go away the conviction on the identical grounds.

“The state’s task in regards to the underlying enchantment is August 8,” he stated. “We now have a most of 30 days to reply. Then the Supreme Courtroom or the argument will need to have, whether or not it ought to be admitted, whether or not it may be refused, and that may take months,” he stated, including that if the career is granted, Murdaaugh will get a brand new course of.

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Harpootlian says he expects the Supreme Courtroom of the State to decide on the finish of subsequent yr in regards to the enchantment.

“And once more, there are every kind of debates in regards to the proof and the way the decide decide was allowed and whether or not it ought to have been excluded or allowed. And they’re definitely necessary. And we predict there would give us a brand new monitor,” he stated.

“However much more necessary is a decide, former supreme decide of the Supreme Courtroom, had a proof in regards to the conduct of Becky Hill during which she discovered: a) Becky Hill was not credible and b) that Becky Hill tried to affect jury members to sentence Alex Murdoch. So I feel we must always hear a brand new yr.”

Alex Murdaaugh and defender Dick Harpootlian decide proof throughout his trial for homicide within the Colleton County courthouse on Tuesday 31 January 2023. (Joshua Boucher/The State/Pool)

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A brand new course of would in all probability look very totally different, stated Harpootlian. As a result of Murdaugh has already been responsible of economic crimes, that facet could be excluded, decreasing the scope to forensic and factual proof.

The primary lawyer believes that Murdaugh has a powerful protection.

“We had a six -week check final time due to the monetary misconduct. That will not occur anymore,” stated Harpootlian. “And in case you solely have a look at forensic proof, I consider it proves that Alex has not killed Paul and Maggie.”

The South Carolina Regulation Enforcement Division, which led the investigation, and public prosecutor Creighton Waters has not returned any remark requests.