Attorneys for accused killer Alex Murdaugh want the power to issue subpoenas in connection with their defense of the notorious South Carolina ex-lawyer – who is facing a litany of charges (including two murder raps) tied to his central role in the still-unspooling ‘Murdaugh Murders’ crime and corruption saga.
In a motion filed on Friday in Colleton County, attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin – who have been keeping a low profile since receiving the state’s evidence against their client three weeks ago – asked S.C. circuit court judge Clifton Newman to allow them to issue subpoenas for “the production of documents relating to the defense of Alex Murdaugh in advance of trial.”
According to the motion (.pdf), the attorneys are seeking “evidentiary and relevant” documents and other materials to aid them in preparing for Murdaugh’s trial – tentatively scheduled for January 2023.
Murdaugh has been charged with two counts of murder and two counts of possessing a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in connection with the graphic June 7, 2021 slayings of his wife, 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh, and younger son, 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh.
@fitsnews Breaking News in the Murdaugh murder trial #murdaughfamily #murdaugh #murdaughmurder #southcarolina #crime #law #court ? original sound – FITSNews
In addition to the two murder charges, Murdaugh is also staring down a multitude of alleged financial crimes as well as drug charges and allegations of obstruction of justice tied to a fatal 2019 boat crash involving his late son. Additionally, he is facing fraud charges tied to a bizarre, botched suicide attempt last Labor Day in Hampton County.
Finally, Murdaugh is a codefendant in multiple civil cases, including a high-profile wrongful death lawsuit tied to the same boat crash.
Oh, and these are just the legal battles taking place at the state level … a federal investigation is also underway and has already produced indictments against one of Murdaugh’s alleged co-conspirators.
Murdaugh, 54, is a fourth generation member of the “House of Murdaugh” – a crumbling legal dynasty which has enjoyed near-dictatorial power over a five-county region in the southernmost tip of South Carolina for decades. Three generations of Murdaughs – including Alex’s late father, Randolph Murdaugh III – held the post of S.C. fourteenth circuit solicitor between 1920-2006.
Alex Murdaugh was a badge-carrying assistant solicitor at the time his wife and son were murdered.
According to Harpootlian and Griffin’s motion, they want authority from the court to “issue subpoenas for documents to be produced in advance of trial to avoid unnecessary delay.”
Harpootlian affirmed in an interview on Friday the subpoena request is not, to quote the court filing, “a fishing expedition.”
“We are focused on the simple question of innocence or guilt,” Harpootlian told me.
Harpootlian declined to speculate as to who might be on the list of possible subpoena targets – assuming Newman grants his request.
According to the filing, granting the motion and permitting defense attorneys to subpoena documents would “level the playing field with the state.”
“Defense counsel has been advised and is informed that the state continues to obtain search warrants and issue grand jury subpoenas for documents and other materials for use in the investigation and prosecution of the defendant at the upcoming trial,” the filing noted.
***
Indeed, the criminal investigation into the double homicide is still ongoing – and the office of S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson is still utilizing the grand jury to obtain information related to the case. Accordingly, I have no real issue with Newman granting this motion – in fact, he should probably permit such discovery to proceed to minimize potential grounds for appeal in this case.
However, I object to Harpootlian and Griffin seeking a blanket order allowing them to issue subpoenas without accompanying public filings.
The defense attorneys claim such public filings would “unnecessarily expose the defense’s trial strategy and subject the recipient of any subpoena to extensive media attention.”
Sorry, but “them’s the brakes,” counselors …
***
THE MOTION …
(Via: S.C. Fourteenth Judicial Circuit)
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
(Via: FITSNews)
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children. And yes, he has many hats – including that San Jose Giants’ Pacific Coast League 75th Anniversary lid pictured above.
***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to proactively address? We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.
