Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial was suspended, and the courtroom where the case was being heard was evacuated after a bomb threat and authorities resumed testimony on Wednesday.
In a statement, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed that personnel at the Colleton County Courthouse received a bomb threat. Judge Clifton Newman ordered the courtroom to be evacuated a few hours after jurors began hearing testimony. The South Carolina Attorney General's Office also confirmed that the threat was "phoned in."
Alex Murdaugh Trial Rocked by Bomb Threat
Law enforcement authorities noted that the building was evacuated and added that SLED and the Colleton County Sheriff's Office were looking into the threat. The court resumed shortly past 3:00 p.m. after officials cleared the building.
The court was hearing a case for Murdaugh, who is part of a legal dynasty in Hampton County and is currently charged with fatally shooting his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and son, Paul Murdaugh, at their home on June 7, 2021. Once a verdict is reached on these charges, the defendant will stand trial on roughly 100 financial and drug-related charges, as per USA Today.
Following the bomb threat, a Colleton County Sheriff's Office deputy sprinted across the courthouse grounds, yelling for people to clear the area. This prompted attendees to exit the building through the front, sweeping stairs that are not usually used by the public.
The defendant was taken from the courthouse and then driven from the property inside a large black van. Due to the threat of a potential bomb, there were heavy police in the area, and law enforcement authorities set up a perimeter around the courthouse square.
Family members of Murdaugh, including his surviving son, Richard "Buster" Murdaugh Jr., along with several student groups on field trips, were attendees at the courthouse. Before being evacuated due to the bomb threat, Megan Fletcher, a gunshot forensics expert, returned to the stand for cross-examination.
Potential Double Homicide
Murdaugh's case began as an unsolved double homicide but later became wider allegations of financial fraud, a hired hitman plot, and drug addiction. According to NBC News, it also revived questions about other deaths linked to the Murdaughs.
The prosecution and defense have clashed since last week over whether or not the jury in charge of the case should be allowed to hear testimony over Murdaugh's alleged financial misdeeds.
This week, Newman ruled that he would permit it because it also speaks to the alleged motive in the double murder case. Prosecutors allege that the defendant killed his wife and son to gain sympathy and put a stop to the investigations being held by his law firm regarding missing funds.
On the other hand, Fletcher testified that she found gunshot primer residue particles on clothes that Murdaugh was wearing on the night of the shootings. She added that the same residue was on a blue jacket that has drawn increasing attention in the proceedings.
The forensic scientist added that the particles were found on samples taken from the defendant's hands and the shirt and shorts he wore when he allegedly found his wife and son dead, CNN said.
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