South Carolina attorneyAlex Murdaughattempted to arrange his own shooting death in order for his son to receive millions in life insurance, according to police.
Curtis Edward Smith.Uncredited/AP/Shutterstock
From left, Buster Murdaugh, Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh, Paul Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh.Maggie Murdaugh/Facebook
Alex Murdaugh.Facebook
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Smith was also charged with distribution of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana, according to SLED. He is currently being held at the Colleton County Detention Center.
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No charges against Murdaugh have been announced. Law enforcement states that additional charges involving the case are expected to come as the investigation continues. As of now it is unclear if Smith has obtained legal representation. Attorneys for Murdaugh have not yet responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
SLED is alsoinvestigating allegationsthat Murdaugh stole funds from the prestigious law firm his great-grandfather started more than 100 years ago. Prior to his shooting, members of the Hampton law firm, Peters Murdaugh Parker Eltzroth & Detrick, confronted Murdaugh about missing money, which could exceed $1 million, before notifying law enforcement and the South Carolina Bar Association.
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Murdaugh’s attorney Jim Griffin told PEOPLE in a statement at the time that “Alex resigned from the firm after being accused of diverting lawyer fees. These allegations prompted him to confront his dependency and he voluntarily checked into an in-patient substance abuse rehab facility after being discharged from the hospital Monday.”
Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.Maggie Murdaugh Facebook
Murdaugh’s shooting also came less than three months after his wife Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh and son Paul Murdaugh weremurderedon the grounds of the family’s 1,770-acre hunting lodge.
source: people.com
