THE AMERICA ONE NEWS
Jun 24, 2025  |  
0
 | Remer,MN
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge.
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge and Reasoning Support for Fantasy Sports and Betting Enthusiasts.
back  
topic
Fox News
Fox News
6 Mar 2023


On NBC's "Today" show, Williams was asked what solidified the panel's decision, which sent Murdaugh, 54, away for life.

"Well, the witness testimony, it was very believable, and the kennel video definitely played a major part and his testimony," she said.

ALEX MURDAUGH: TIMELINE OF ONCE-POWERFUL SOUTH CAROLINA LAWYER'S SPECTACULAR DOWNFALL

Alex Murdaugh is led out of the Colleton County courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina on Monday, February 27, 2023. It was the 25th day of testimony in Murdaugh’s trial for the double slaying of his son, Paul, and wife, Maggie, in June 2021.

Alex Murdaugh is led out of the Colleton County courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina on Monday, February 27, 2023. It was the 25th day of testimony in Murdaugh’s trial for the double slaying of his son, Paul, and wife, Maggie, in June 2021. (Mark Sims for Fox News Digital)

Murdaugh gunned down his son, Paul, 22, and his wife, Maggie, 52, near the dog kennels of the family's sprawling hunting estate in Islandton, South Carolina, known as Moselle, June 7, 2021.

The disbarred attorney from a once powerful legal dynasty in the Lowcountry repeatedly told investigators that he never went to the kennels the night of the murders.

ALEX MURDAUGH JUROR REVEALS FINAL MOMENBTS DELIBERATING VERDICT, HOW DOG KENNEL VIDEO PROVED KEY TO THE CASE

But Paul had recorded a cellphone video that captured Murdaugh and his wife's voice in the background minutes before prosecutors say he shot them to death. 

Amie Williams arrives to the Today Show studio in New York City, Monday, March 6, 2023. Williams was a juror on the double-murder trial of Alex Murdaugh.

Amie Williams arrives to the Today Show studio in New York City, Monday, March 6, 2023. Williams was a juror on the double-murder trial of Alex Murdaugh. (Jennifer Mitchell for Fox News Digital)

Generette said she was stunned when Murdaugh decided to testify in his own defense and admit for the first time publicly that he was with the victims on the remote 1,700-acre property three minutes before their murders.

LISTEN: THE FOX TRUE CRIME PODCAST WITH EMILY COMPAGNO

"I couldn't believe that he was taking the stand," she said. "And the kennel video, that just kind of sealed the deal."

James McDowell, a  juror in the Alex Murdaugh trial, is interviewed by Rebecca Rosenberg in Walterboro, SC, Friday, March 3, 2023. 

James McDowell, a  juror in the Alex Murdaugh trial, is interviewed by Rebecca Rosenberg in Walterboro, SC, Friday, March 3, 2023.  (Rebecca Rosenberg/Fox News Digital)

All three of the jurors said it was a mistake for Murdaugh to testify. 

"He believes he's so convincing, he felt like that was his last resort," said McDowell, who was selected as a juror even though his brother, a Colleton County deputy, responded to the murder scene and was one of the trial's first witnesses. 

He disclosed the connection to the court, but the defense and prosecution didn't object to seating him.

Alex Murdaugh's most recent mugshot 

Alex Murdaugh's most recent mugshot  (South Carolina Department of Corrections)

Generette added that she didn't believe that Murdaugh's frequent fits of sniffling and sobbing were sincere. "I didn’t think he was crying, he turned it on and off. It wasn't genuine," she said.

ALEX MURDAUGH CONVICTED OF MURDER IN FATAL SHOOTING OF WIFE AND SON

The trial featured weeks of evidence detailing Murdaugh's theft of nearly $9 million from his law firm and his vulnerable clients to fuel a lavish lifestyle. 

Prosecutors argued that he killed his family to delay a financial reckoning that would have ruined his career and reputation.

"We could only consider it as part of the motive," Williams said of the financial crimes evidence. "It helped show he was very convincing and manipulating, and it made sense."

The TV journalists asked the jurors why Murdaugh did it.

"I don't know if we will ever know," Williams replied. "It may have been a combination of things, not just the financial, but everything was weighing heavy on him, I believe." 

Paul, Alex, Maggie and Buster Murdaugh at a sporting event. Alex was convicted of fatally shooting his wife and son.

Paul, Alex, Maggie and Buster Murdaugh at a sporting event. Alex was convicted of fatally shooting his wife and son. (Facebook)

McDowell added that, as prosecutors said, there was an overall storm gathering around him and that clearly contributed. 

The jurors returned to the courtroom the day after reaching their verdict to watch Judge Clifton Newman mete out his punishment. Newman handed Murdaugh the maximum: two life sentences to be served consecutively. 

"It was important for us to go back and see it to the end," McDowell said.

Rebecca Rosenberg is a veteran journalist and book author with a focus on crime and criminal justice. Email tips to rebecca.rosenberg@fox.com and @ReRosenberg.