Disbarred attorney Richard “Alex” Murdaugh told a South Carolina judge Thursday he will testify in his own defense in the double murder trial over the death of his wife and son.

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Murdaugh is charged with murder in connection with the 2021 fatal shootings of 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh and 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh. He has pleaded not guilty. “I am going to testify,” Murdaugh said in court Thursday, before another witness for the defense was called to the stand.

Defense attorney Jim Griffin asked Judge Clifton Newman Wednesday if Murdaugh would be able to use his Fifth Amendment rights against incriminating himself in the nearly 100 other allegations he faces including stealing from clients, money laundering, tax evasion and insurance fraud. Newman said prosecutors generally get wide latitude in cross examination.

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