Why did Alex Murdaugh take the stand to testify? What did he say? What’s next in the murder trial?

The “Murdaugh Murders” is a new blockbuster TV docuseries on Netflix that details the slayings of Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh and her 22-year-old son Paul at their home in South Carolina in June 2021. Paul’s father and Maggie Murduagh’s husband, Alex, is the main suspect in their killings.

Alex Murdaugh is a prominent attorney from South Carolina. So far, he has maintained his innocence. This trial is near its end, prosecutors will have their final rest in the coming week. Alex Murduagh testified that he wasn’t in the house when his wife and kid were shot back when first arrested, but has since changed his story. The lawyer contends that the shootings were revenge for Mallory Beach’s 2019 boating accident tragedy, where his son Paul is said to be driving the boat while intoxicated.

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Why did Alex Murdaugh take the stand to testify? And what did he say?

The family’s lawyer Butch Bower said that Mr. Murdaugh wanted to take the stand to tell his side of the story. He was advised not to do it. Usually, judges and juries are not very keen on people taking the stand to defend themselves

While on the stand, Mr. Murdaugh admitted to lying the night he was questioned about the murder of his wife and son. He claims he wasn’t near them, but a video from his son’s phone puts him within minutes of their shooting.

Defense attorney Jim Griffin asked, “Mr. Murdaugh, is that you on the kennel video at 8:44 p.m. on June 7, the night Maggie and Paul were murdered?”

“It is, I did lie to them, I wasn’t thinking clearly, I don’t think I was capable of reason, and I lied about being down there, and I’m so sorry that I did.” So said Alex Murduagh about being close to the kennel of his house with his wife and son minutes before the shooting.

What is next for the Alex Murdaugh trial?

Murdaugh has entered a not-guilty plea to two counts of murder and two charges of weapon possession in connection with the slayings of his wife and son at the family-owned property.

The trial is almost over; the prosecution and defense will rest next week. Then, after they both rest, the trial will be delivered, and it can take a couple of days for a judgement and sentence.