Disbarred South Carolina attorney Richard “Alex” Murdaugh denied killing his wife and son but admitted to lying to investigators as he testified in his own defense in his double murder trial.

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Murdaugh, 54, is charged with murder in connection with the 2021 shootings of 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh and 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh. He has pleaded not guilty. At the outset of his testimony, Murdaugh vehemently denied shooting Maggie and Paul on June 7, 2021, at the family’s property in Colleton County. “I didn’t shoot my wife or my son anytime, ever,” he said under questioning by his defense team. “I would never intentionally do anything to hurt either one of them. Ever. Ever.”

On Wednesday, defense attorney Jim Griffin asked Judge Clifton Newman if Murdaugh would be able to use his Fifth Amendment protection against incriminating himself in the nearly 100 other financial crimes he is accused of, including stealing from clients, money laundering, tax evasion and insurance fraud. Newman said prosecutors generally get wide latitude in cross examination. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office is seeking life in prison if Murdaugh is convicted.

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