The Murdaugh murder trial ended in March with a guilty verdict delivered from the jury. Our team at Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC, followed the South Carolina case closely, tracking the strategies of the defense and prosecution.
The Law Offices of M.J. Snyder’s Brianna Shaw discussed the Murdaugh trial verdict on CTV during International Women’s History Month, sharing her insights into the case on international news. You can review the information she shared right here.
Find out more about your options if you’re facing criminal charges by calling or filling out our online contact form.
What Crime Led to the Murdaugh Trial?
Richard Alexander (Alex) Murdaugh faced accusations that he murdered his wife (Maggie Murdaugh) and his adult son (Paul Murdaugh) on June 7, 2021. The crime occurred in South Carolina, so all charges associated with the case were handled in that state.
Alex Murdaugh had worked as a lawyer in the area. His case went through the fourteenth circuit of the South Carolina Circuit Court system. The case began on January 25th, 2023, and ended on March 2nd, 2023, when the jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts.
In the aftermath of the verdict, CTV asked Ms. Shaw for an interview on one of their international stations, drawing on her experience and the knowledge she’s gained from working as a defense lawyer.
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Why Did the Murdaugh Case Draw International Attention?
The Murdaugh case drew attention as the trial of the century for South Carolina due to its high profile and the sensationalism associated with the matter. In addition, the death of a mother and her 22-year-old son drew attention from national and international news sources, including CTV.
The CTV Television Network, commonly referred to as CTV, is one of the largest television networks in Canada. The network provides English-language news and more to the country, with over 20 stations servicing the area.
The network began operating in 1961 and has provided coverage of local and international subjects since then, recently calling on our Ms. Shaw for a more detailed look at the outcome of the Murdaugh trial during International Women’s History Month.
Our Team Is Proud of Ms. Shaw’s Accomplishments and Legal Knowledge
Our team provided professional answers to questions posed by CTV after the Murdaugh trial. Ms. Shaw represented our firm on the news, providing answers on behalf of our woman-owned firm.
Ms. Shaw spends much of her time working as a criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia, PA. However, along with the rest of our team, she followed the Murdaugh case, allowing her to answer legal questions about the judge’s actions, the odds of a mistrial, and the verdict.
In addition to her experience as a working defense attorney, Ms. Shaw drew on her education from Rutgers and the Temple University Beasley School of Law during her International Women’s History Month interview.
Did the Jury Work Quickly in the Murdaugh Case?
The newscaster handling the CTV interview had many questions about the Murdaugh case, including curiosity about how quickly the jury deliberated and returned their verdict. The process began after closing arguments, and the jury reached an agreement in only a few hours.
Ms. Shaw felt some surprise at the speed of their decision, as they did not even stop for dinner before returning a verdict. She pointed to limited direct evidence around the charges as a factor that she believed could have led to longer deliberations.
However, Ms. Shaw pointed to video evidence presented in the case and the significant circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution, which allowed the jury to act swiftly.
What Were the Odds of a Mistrial in the Murdaugh Case?
The CTV interview also touched on the possibility of a mistrial, considering the speed with which the jury came to a decision. Ms. Shaw confidently answered the questions, sharing her belief that there would not be a mistrial.
She pointed to the prosecution’s ability to show that Mr. Murdaugh had the means, motive, and opportunity as one reason she didn’t expect a mistrial. However, the prosecution also provided significant evidence after the fact that influenced the jury’s decision.
How Did the Judge Behave in the Murdaugh Case?
The CTV anchor also asked Ms. Shaw about the judge’s behavior in the Murdaugh case. Judge Clifton Newman handled the case in the Colleton County Courthouse, listening to the case presented by defense attorneys Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian and prosecutor Creighton Waters.
Ms. Shaw mentioned Judge Newman’s even tone and appropriate demeanor during the case. The judge – and the rest of the court – dealt with a bomb threat and the removal of three jurors, adding a layer of complication to the proceedings.
What Sentence Came Down in the Murdaugh Trial?
By the time of Ms. Shaw’s interview during International Women’s History Month, the court had already decided to take the death penalty off the table for the Murdaugh trial. However, the question about the possible severity of sentencing still arose.
Ms. Shaw told the CTV anchor that she believed the defense would focus on humanizing Mr. Murdaugh to mitigate the severity of the penalties.
After the interview, the court finished the sentencing process. Mr. Murdaugh faces multiple life sentences with no opportunity for parole. However, his legal team plans to appeal the court’s decision.
Reach Out to Us to Learn More About Your Legal Needs
Our team at the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC, can step in to answer your questions about any criminal charges you may face in Philadelphia, PA. As a criminal defense firm, we’re proud that Brianna Shaw discussed the Murdaugh trial verdict on CTV during International Women’s History Month.
Learn more about our firm and the services we can provide by calling or filling out our online contact form.
