The jury in the case involving Alex Murdaugh, a disbarred lawyer accused of killing his wife and son, will take a trip to the scene of the crime.
“We believe it would be useful for the jury to visit Moselle, both the area of the kennels and the house, just to get some understanding of the spatial relationships,” attorney Dick Harpootlian said to Judge Clifton Newman before the jury entered the courtroom, as Fox News reported.
Toward the end of the trial, the defense made the request for the jury to visit the 1,700-acre property located in Islandton, South Carolina.
According to the report, Newman approved the defense’s request but did not share when the visit would take place.
Harpootlian also expressed his frustration with the fact that dozens of trespassers recently visited the property “to take selfies in front of the feed room.”
The sheriff reportedly had to be called to get the trespassers off the property.
Harpootlian requested the scene be secured for the visit from the jury, per Fox News.
Murdaugh is suspected of murdering his wife, Maggie, 52, and their son Paul, 22, in June 2021.
He initially told the authorities he discovered their bodies near dog kennels at the family home.
The New York Times noted Murdaugh was home with both his wife and son earlier on the day of the muders.
However, phone records show he left for a visit with his mother around approximately 9 p.m., per the Times.
According to Murdaugh, he discovered their bodies upon his return.
Prosecutors claim he killed Maggie and Paul prior to leaving, and later attempted to establish an alibi.
During the trial, Murdaugh admitted to lying to police about his whereabouts, as IJR reported.
Defense attorney Jim Griffin asked Murdaugh, “Is that you on the kennel video at 8:44 p.m. on June 7, the night Maggie and Paul were murdered?”
He replied, “It is.”
When asked if he lied to authorities about his whereabouts the night of the murders, Murdaugh said, “I did lie to them.”
He explained, “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.”