The story of Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina lawyer, is a complex web of murder, fraud, and betrayal that has captivated the nation. From his prominent position in a powerful legal family to his conviction for the double murder of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, Murdaugh's fall from grace has been nothing short of spectacular. Bill Pullman, the actor who portrayed Murdaugh in a Lifetime movie, delved into the intricacies of this character, offering insights into Murdaugh's physical transformation and the layers of deception that defined him.
Bill Pullman's Portrayal of Alex Murdaugh
Bill Pullman, known for his roles in films like Independence Day and While You Were Sleeping, took on the challenge of portraying Alex Murdaugh in a Lifetime movie. Initially unfamiliar with the Murdaugh case, Pullman immersed himself in the details, studying the 911 call, dashcam footage, and courtroom testimony. He dyed his hair the synthetic butterscotch color Murdaugh sported. Pullman was committed to recreating Murdaugh's physical appearance and mannerisms, including his Lowcountry dialect and slight limp.
Pullman observed that Murdaugh's physicality changed significantly in the lead-up to the trial. "It changed when he lost weight," Pullman noted, estimating that Murdaugh lost approximately 60 pounds. He also noticed that Murdaugh seemed more limber during the trial, "almost like an athlete going up to take a penalty shot."
Unraveling the Layers of Deception
Pullman was drawn to the idea of playing someone so "exposed," yet so shrouded in secrets. He appreciated the opportunity to explore the complexities of a compulsive liar who had created so many webs of deceit that he had become a stranger to his own family. Pullman turned off valves for emotions like guilt and anxiety in order to embody Murdaugh. He also recognized the connection between Murdaugh's addiction and his lies. Pullman thought Murdaugh's cycles of addiction and lying were interlinked. "Hearing things and not letting them cause anxiety, it’s kind of freeing," said Pullman.
Pullman also highlighted Murdaugh's ability to shift between emotions, from frantic and traumatized to casual and collected. He noted that Murdaugh would interrupt dramatic questioning by police officers to open a car door and spit chew. Pullman, who spends a lot of time in desolate Montana, stated that "In rural areas, there’s a little bit more humility, and sometimes it’s demonstrative humility that is kind of like a put-on thing. Sometimes it’s genuine, but [you’re] much more likely to see somebody with affectations in those areas,” says Pullman. “I love the South for that.”
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The Murdaugh Murders and Trial
On June 7, 2021, Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were brutally murdered at their family’s Moselle estate. Paul was shot twice with a 12-gauge shotgun, while Maggie was shot five times with a .300 Blackout semiautomatic rifle. Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of the murders and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The prosecution argued that Murdaugh killed his wife and son to distract from his string of alleged scandals and financial crimes that were on the brink of being exposed. Murdaugh's brother, Randy, believes that Alex "is not telling the truth" about the murders, stating, "He knows more than what he’s saying."
Key Figures in the Murdaugh Case
Several key figures played significant roles in the Murdaugh case:
- Dick Harpootlian: One of Murdaugh’s lead defense attorneys, Harpootlian is a veteran South Carolina defense attorney and former state senator.
- Jim Griffin: Murdaugh’s other lead defense attorney, Griffin has a long career focused on working as a defense attorney in white-collar crime cases.
- Creighton Waters: The lead prosecutor in the murder case against Murdaugh, Waters is the chief prosecutor for the state’s grand jury.
- Judge Clifton Newman: The South Carolina Circuit Courts Judge who presided over the high-profile murder trial.
Murdaugh's Financial Crimes
Alex Murdaugh's financial misdeeds played a significant role in his downfall. He allegedly stole nearly $8.5 million from his clients at his law firm over 11 years. Murdaugh allegedly set up Gloria Satterfield's children with his cohort, personal injury attorney Cory Fleming, and directed him to send her death settlement checks to his own bank account and tell her family that no settlement was ever reached. He acknowledged fraud during his testimony.
Russell Laffitte, a former CEO of Palmetto State Bank, was convicted of financial fraud charges for helping Murdaugh steal millions from his law firm clients.
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The Moselle Estate
The Murdaugh's Moselle estate, where the murders took place, was put on the market for $3.9 million. The property consists of 1,772 acres of diverse habitat with varying forest types and age class distribution. A buyer put in an offer in June 2022, but the sale was put on hold when Murdaugh was accused of trying to offload his assets to avoid paying up in a string of lawsuits he is facing, prompting a court to freeze his assets.
The Aftermath and Ongoing Legal Battles
Murdaugh is appealing his conviction, based in large part on accusations of jury tampering by Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill. Hill was arrested and charged with obstructing justice, misconduct in that incident, and perjury.
Newly uncovered text messages between Murdaugh and his alleged drug dealer, Curtis "Eddie" Smith, could have dramatically altered the defense’s trial strategy and possibly prevented a conviction, according to Harpootlian. The text messages show that Smith and Murdaugh conversed in the days leading up to Murdaugh's murder of his wife Maggie and his youngest son, Paul, on June 7, 2021.
Buster Murdaugh's Involvement
Alex Murdaugh’s only surviving son, Buster, has also been embroiled in the legal battles surrounding his father's case. Buster testified in his father's defense. Buster was kicked out of law school for plagiarizing, according to court documents.
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