WALTERBORO, S.C. (AP) — As Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial moves toward its conclusion, the intense public attention on the case has only grown.
Investigations stemming from the June 7, 2021, shooting deaths of Murdaugh’s wife and son revealed that the prominent South Carolina lawyer stole millions of dollars from largely poor clients’ settlements and staged an attempt on his life to secure his surviving son a $12 million life insurance payout, according to authorities.
In the process, true crime enthusiasts, concerned onlookers and many others found the latest subject of their fascination in the yearslong unraveling of a mystery that jurors must weigh.
Experts say the small town saga’s transformation into an international point of intrigue highlights insights into the human psyche: People are drawn to events that inform their perceptions of threat. And amid the commotion of the trial, some legal observers have found an important opportunity for education.