Defense attorney Jim Griffin's closing argument in Alex Murdaugh trial

Closing arguments are underway in the double murder trial of disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh. He is charged with killing his wife Maggie and adult son Paul at the family's Moselle estate in rural Colleton County, South Carolina, on June 7, 2021. Murdaugh has steadfastly denied that he killed them but he also admitted to lying to state investigators about his whereabouts on the nights of the killings.

The defense will be making their closing arguments a day after the prosecution had its turn trying to convince the jury that Murdaugh was the sole person responsible for the killings. Prosecutor Creighton Waters spent a total of three hours saying Murdaugh was a habitual liar who didn't tell the truth in his legal practice or when it mattered the most--the night of the murders. Waters reiterated that Murdaugh had been caught lying about when he last saw his wife and son alive, and Waters added he only came clean when he knew he'd be caught.

Defense attorney Jim Griffin, who's known Murdaugh for many years, is expected to be the person speaking to jurors on the defendant's behalf. The presentation is expected to last roughly two hours.

Once he concludes, prosecutors will have a short rebuttal, then the judge will charge the jury. At that point, Murdaugh's fate will be in their hands as they begin deliberations.

Murdaugh, 54, is accused of killing his wife Maggie and son Paul at the family's Moselle estate back in June of 2021. Prosecutors say he's the sole person responsible while the defense says the state never seriously looked for any other potential witnesses.

[guadalupelazar]

Ive been in this country for 48yrs. I never seen like this . Alex is so freaking greedy, power hungry lie, &steal above all he think his above the law he can do whatever he wants please remember Maggie & PAUl brutaly murder its so so sad hope the get some justice

[DavidRothsteinMusic]

I think my credit cards expired during his closing argument.

[annawolff]

This is the most well-spoken he has been in the whole trial. Reasonable presentation. Finally!

[GTRliffe]

When compared-This lawyer isn’t very sharp.

[livejadelive]

Oh man, that closing argument wasn't even half as strong as it needed to be to sway opinions. I think a lot of folks in that court room might have even fallen asleep.

[TedBackus]

when an attorney spends 40% of their closing argument describing the role of a jury, you know their case is GARBAGE. i havent been this sure of someone guilt, since amber turd

[tamimoncrief]

Jim, that was just awful. You put me to sleep, I actually took a nap.

[koningklootzak]

Prosecutor closing B+
Defense closing D-

Alex will be found guilty by the jurors, wait and see.

[johnchaulk]

This argument didn’t age well. Although it was in vain, I think Griffin did the best he could with this soup sandwich of a defense. I’m glad he lost, but he’s one hell of an attorney. Harpootlian was just there for the per diem and free meals.

[michelleodom]

I’m sure Alec is thinking …. oh boy, this is a poor presentation. I expected more out of Attorney Griffin.

[cq]

This started with over the top narrative of how wonderful the Jury system is. If this is the strongest opening for closing they can come up with - Oh Dear. Opening and closing comments are critical. So disappointed overall with this defence team. Mind you, they did not have a Client in AM, where his atrocities were hard to defend.

[betsydooly]

What does that body language at the defence table tell us. They look very uncomfortable of this tirad

[deborahslingsby]

Throughout most the trial he said there uncontrollably shaking his head back n forth n now he is sitting there without rocking his head uncontrollably, he is guilty

[tigerlily]

This one should be shown in law school as “how to kill time when it’s obvious you have a guilty client.”
Jimbo was flailing, but he had to get up there and say something.

[marytaylor]

Listening to this closing argument, I'm amazed that this man is representing anyone on trial for murder. His presentation is like a series of fumbles, none of which gets across the goal line. He struggles with clear explanations, clear speaking for that matter. I suppose one could say he doesn't have a lot to work with but gosh, he sounds like a bumbling fool and it would be a miracle if he made any sense at all to the jury

[DavidRothsteinMusic]

He’s talking down to the jury. Not good.

[karenmorente]

The jury should take notice of this man. What a butter up attempt, but he's so above everyone else that he is unaware that juries aren't always idiots . This defence is SO CONDESCENDING and manipulative. The transparency of that is surely not missed by what I hope is an intelligent jury. This man's blowing out hot-air which is a poor defense. The evidence against Alec is overwhelming. Karen Morente.

[thebsexpress]

After seeing this, I was secretly hoping that Vincent LaGuardia Gambini was the prosecuting attorney, so he could say 'Everything that guy just said is bullshit. Thank you.'

[skittlesrainbow]

He did a horrible job. What a waste of time.

[Mark-vjqo]

No way could a closing be this incompetent. Clearly, Griffen got the memo from AG’s office to ‘take care of it”.