SC - Paul Murdaugh & mom Margaret Found Shot To Death - Alex Murdaugh Accused - Islandton #25

[Seattle1]

What's really interesting about this text is that the sender is Michael Gunn. Presumably that's the same Michael Gunn from Forge Consulting who testified earlier in the trial about Alex misusing the 'Forge' name to steal funds.

Hmm, from Gunn's testimony it sure didn't seem like they had the sort of relationship where he would be sending AM pictures of scantily clad women late at night. I doubt this has anything to do with the murders. But it is kind of amusing to see how Gunn spun his association with Alex as, "Oh, we only played golf at industry conferences and had a few business lunches," when it looks like they were really much closer.

This wasn't a personal text to AM but a group text so AM could have been one of 50 recipients. IMO, a guy humor communication.

 

[Iwondertoo]

1:29.00

After his self-interrupted call to 911, Alec does not read the family group text about his father, but does Google a restaurant in Edisto and does open a group text which includes an image of a young woman in a bikini, "she's bringing the heat from Miami." It's so Epsteiny.

With his dead wife and son underfoot.

Takes the C L out of class and to a whole new level of low.

jmo

Megnut, can you narrow down the time AM mentions the restaurant? I heard it live today but can not find it starting at 1:29 or shortly thereafter.

I was shocked to hear it during trial and wondered if I misunderstood. I'd like to hear it again to be sure.

 

[ch_13]

This wasn't a personal text to AM but a group text so AM could have been one of 50 recipients. IMO, a guy humor communication.

If I'm reading the timeline doc correctly, there were only three recipients on that text: AM, Rod Jernigan and A. Harbin. All three are personal injury lawyers. No idea what that text is actually referring to, though.

 

[Kembo]

Woooah, another motive. Paul texted Alex saying Maggie found bags of pills in his computer bag "We need to talk",
No wonder Alex was so angry. Maggie searched green gel pill P30 white pill 30 RP.

ETA: I took the dates out as I think there is a conflict with what is being reported, should be early May I believe.
MOO

I too noticed this conflict. I think they all should have stated May 21 but it looked like a few said May 1. I think the defense may use this idea of AM being a dealer, since he could not have ingested all those pills himself at that cost, to suggest that he owed money to kingpins, who then brutally killed MM and PM in front of AM, and left him holding the bag. I wouldn't believe it, but I believe the defense could try any theory at this point. Also, the discovery of pills is a very weak motive for murder IMO, unless combined with the financial desperation piling on him, which is more reasonable to me.

 

[Luna20]

The white ones are 30 mg Oxycodone, very high dose like a cancer patient would be prescribed. I had rotator cuff surgery and was prescribed 5 mg.

Unlike Percocet which is a combination of Oxycodone and Acetaminophen ( Tylenol) it’s just the one drug - addicts will sometimes crush the “ roxies “ and snort the drug. They call it Hillbilly Heroin.

It would be very desirable on the street and profitable to a dealer.

Moo

Thanks. What is the affect? Does it make you high or is it like speed?

 

[Iwondertoo]

If I'm reading the timeline doc correctly, there were only three recipients on that text: AM, Rod Jernigan and A. Harbin. All three are personal injury lawyers. No idea what that text is actually referring to, though.

My immediate reaction to seeing that text was that her and her friends were coming to town - so get ready to party boys!

Might explain where some of the money went if this was part of the old boys club entertainment. JMO

 

[Megnut]

Megnut, can you narrow down the time AM mentions the restaurant? I heard it live today but can not find it starting at 1:29 or shortly thereafter.

I was shocked to hear it during trial and wondered if I misunderstood. I'd like to hear it again to be sure.

For sure the defense referred to it on cross, blamed Alec's fat fingers.

jmo

 

[Kembo]

Can't imagine how the jury can comprehend and recall all the OnStar and phone data evidence without takingI' notes. Hope jurors aren't shell shocked from all the confusing technical testimony.

You can bet CW will have the whole timeline clearly shown and illustrated for the jury during closing.

 

[Iwondertoo]

For sure the defense referred to it on cross, blamed Alec's fat fingers.

jmo

Thank you! I'll go have a look.

 

[Kembo]

Amidst all these lies, the one consistency I find in AM's interviews is that he sucks at estimating times. One lawyer noted that he never wore a watch, he was constantly late to work, scattered, unorganized desk, more of a people person. This makes sense. Otherwise, he would have been more careful in his alibis as regards to remembering more reasonable times, especially ones that are irrelevant, e.g. how long he was with Paul on the property, when he left work, etc. I honestly don't think he knows much difference between 1 and 2 hours.

 

[HanniBJeter]

I'm relatively new to this forum, but are we expected to always post IMO or MOO? I haven't been simply because I'm assuming these are all opinions.

I don’t know but it seems unnecessary. Also JMO and OMO.
like whose opinion would it be? Lol

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Right-- between the timeline and IMO, the snapchat with AM's voice on it with Paul and Maggie's when he said he was "napping" and then at his moms house, when clearly he was there at the kennels with them right before they were murdered.

IMO--those 2 items are all they need.

And dick's protractor.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

I heard it was an Irish pronunciation

Scottish, not Irish.

 

[geevee]

I too noticed this conflict. I think they all should have stated May 21 but it looked like a few said May 1. I think the defense may use this idea of AM being a dealer, since he could not have ingested all those pills himself at that cost, to suggest that he owed money to kingpins, who then brutally killed MM and PM in front of AM, and left him holding the bag. I wouldn't believe it, but I believe the defense could try any theory at this point. Also, the discovery of pills is a very weak motive for murder IMO, unless combined with the financial desperation piling on him, which is more reasonable to me.

I may be misremembering but I thought it was stated that the text from PM to AM was on May 6, as well as the searches, then the next two lines were the searches being erased on 5/26. The text of it was hard to read but that's what I took from it.

 

[justtrish]

https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/postandcourier.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/2b/62bdba22-aefb-11ed-a88c-538e3291ccb1/63efd9a2ea409.pdf.pdf

@Iwondertoo check out this from today's testimony and about page 39 is the text info.

 

[clearskies1]

Amidst all these lies, the one consistency I find in AM's interviews is that he sucks at estimating times. One lawyer noted that he never wore a watch, he was constantly late to work, scattered, unorganized desk, more of a people person. This makes sense. Otherwise, he would have been more careful in his alibis as regards to remembering more reasonable times, especially ones that are irrelevant, e.g. how long he was with Paul on the property, when he left work, etc. I honestly don't think he knows much difference between 1 and 2 hours.

I think the time he left work and the amount of time he spent riding around with Paul are relevant and that AM was trying to make it appear that he left work early to have a leisurely ride around the property with Paul, when in fact it was not leisurely and he did not leave work early. There was not a lot of time with Paul after Alex summoned him home. JMO.

 

[Luna20]

I’m curious as to what Waters would have rested on if not for the new info? Nothing really compares to it.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Gross from a bunch of middle aged married men. Was that the meaning of the one from Michael Gunn saying “she’s bringing the heat from Miami”?

I took this to mean something related to drugs -- like code. But could also be code for some other illegal activity. OMO.

No matter what it meant, it's despicable that it caught his attention as a priority after he just (still allegedly) murdered his wife and son, and over a text about visiting his dying father.

 

[clearskies1]

I’m curious as to what Waters would have rested on if not for the new info? Nothing really compares to it.

Yes, the late OnStar had a silver lining!

 

[Kembo]

Not sure if anyone has floated this version of the “motive” but I started thinking maybe the immediate Murdaugh family of 4 was starting to fracture into 2 camps - AM&BM versus MM&PM. AM feeling his authority is being encroached on by MM and PM snooping into his pill stash and calling him out. MM is really upset and increasingly worried about the boat case, the community shunning, the possibility of her youngest (always the baby even as an adult) going to prison for a significant portion of his life, and the looming financial exposure of the wrongful death civil cases. The “what’s for dinner” emails between MM and PM really struck and saddened me because it shows at the end of the day Paul just wants to see his mom and have a home cooked meal. Now this is totally speculation, but MM has 2 problems to solve - 1) husband on drugs, more awareness on her part about finances, concern she isn’t in the loop about the real state of affairs financially and 2) AM’s financial and drug distractions are impairing his ability, in her mind, to solve the “what to do about Paul’s” legal situation. Normally she would stay in her lane when it came to legal matters, but she starts to stray into AM’s territory. MM is taking Blanca and her sister into confidence. Maybe MM was on the verge of trying to take over control of the finances and Paul’s legal situation in a very non-Murdaugh fashion - with honesty and possible admissions of guilt, contrition or responsibility. As a mom, you would do anything to protect your child, but AM was acting recklessly. Again speculation- but if MM in the role of more responsible parent is making noise about trying to settle the civil case, liquidating property assets, and maybe thinking about a plea in the criminal case, this threatens the Murdaugh dynasty which is on the brink of being under AM’s “watch” with his dad dying. AM cannot risk MM inserting herself into matters that should be left the men in the succession of the legacy. The pill research and texts show PM and MM were outing him which with AM’s personality type starts to feel very, very threatening; so much so AM is going into self-preservation mode; is there an “intervention” in the works. This is an existential threat that unfortunately calls for drastic measures. His wife is becoming “the enemy” with her prying and the youngest, detective, is enabling her; so those 2 are acting in concert in a very non-Murdaugh manner. MM is acting normal so as not to tip off a confrontation with AM that may be coming. Weighing his options, AM rationalizes that the oldest son has to be the one to survive, so he has to protect Buster at the expense of Paul. And sadly MM is way out of her lane, how dare she, and well, he doesn’t have a choice. The Murdaugh’s are a southern variation of the mob, and killing within one’s family, in the name of loyalty to the dynasty family, is one’s duty in that twisted paradigm.

All speculation - but looking at it as AM & Buster versus MM & Paul kind of struck me today.

Great motive theory, but IYO did he plan the murders between May 21 and June 7, on June 7, or did he just snap at Moselle? I find holes with all of these even with the timelines today.