CNN
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The South Carolina prosecutor’s allegations against Alex Murdeau say that Paul Murdoh sent a Snapchat video to several friends minutes before he was murdered.
In June 2021, Margaret “Maggie” Murdau, 52, and her youngest child, Paul Murdau, 22, were found shot dead on the family property.
Alex Murdau has denied any involvement in their deaths and has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.
Jury selection began on Monday. Lawyers for the defense and prosecution said the trial could last up to three weeks.
Three generations of the Murdow family have represented prosecutors in coastal South Carolina, but a series of deaths and allegations of embezzlement and insurance fraud have shattered the family legacy and brought it to national attention. rice field.
The reference to the video in the filing, obtained by CNN affiliate WCSC, appears to be the first mention of a Snapchat video by prosecutors who intend to use it as evidence in their lawsuit against Murdoh.
Snapchat provided the recording as part of a search warrant, the filing said.
“Above all, important to the case is a video sent to several friends around 7:56 p.m. on the night of the murder,” Filing said.
“The content of this video is important to prove the state’s major case,” read a document written by the state prosecutor.
The document does not state the content of the video, and its significance in the incident is unknown.
In October, CNN reported that a prosecutor in court documents said the mother and son were killed between 8:30 p.m. and 10:06 p.m.The South Carolina Department of Law Enforcement previously reported that the death occurred between 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Prosecutor Clayton Waters said a representative from Snapchat, the social media platform that provided the video, “witnesses firsthand that the video is a true and accurate record kept in the course of ordinary business activities.” I asked.
Judge Clifton Newman ruled in favor of the motion, asking the Los Angeles District Court to have Snapchat representatives present at the Murdoh trial, which begins on the first day of jury selection.