Disbarred lawyer Alex Murdaugh’s defense has started delivering its closing argument today but things are not going as planned. One of his lead defense attorneys, Jim Griffin, was mocked by a number of Twitter users on social media after he appeared his closing argument did not pack as much punch as expected.
For starters, his phone went off and an automatic recording started playing in the middle of the argument causing him to pause and check his phone before continuing. When he did return to his final comments before the jury starts to deliberate, he seems to be lost in his words and fumbled during the statements he makes in court.
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Many Twitter users wondered whether Griffin even has any argument strategy or was simply winging it on Thursday. Here are a few of the reactions on social media as he delivered his final argument before the judge.
Ghosts interrupting Jim’s closing arguments 📲📲 😮😲#AlexMurdaghtrial
— Shannon Mathis Cowen (@momsomeness) March 2, 2023
The best thing that could happen for Jim Griffin about right now is that he'd lose his pollen voice#MurdaughTrial #AlexMurdaghtrial #AlexMurdaugh
— Ginny Johnson (@GinnyFJohnson) March 2, 2023
um.. Jim seems to be winging it 😂#AlexMurdaghtrial
— Derek Bologne (@GodofMerch1) March 2, 2023
Jim, respectfully, what the fuck are you trying to say? #AlexMurdaghtrial
— Crotchety Crocheter 🩷💜💙 🏳️🌈 (@MommaAhimsa) March 2, 2023
The Defense Lawyer for #AlexMurdaghtrial is absolutely confusing AF. If I was a juror I'd be lost. Dude is running verbal gymnastics and talking word salad.
— Girl named Jeremy – U.S. Navy (Ret.) (@NikolaiLantsov3) March 2, 2023
This guy is having a hard time staying awake.#AlexMurdaghtrial pic.twitter.com/IlCZgcrhSK
— Erin Lauzon (@edgarapoerules) March 2, 2023
The defense comes off as not prepared is that a tactic or just how they roll ? #AlexMurdaghtrial #AlexMurdagh
— Stephanie LoCicero (@MrsLo602) March 2, 2023
This is not getting any better. Alex is utterly confused and rethinking his defense team. Can you say "Appeal on Ineffectual Council"…….#AlexMurdaghtrial #AlexMurdaugh #MurdaughTrial pic.twitter.com/9p9MhPe5Bs
— Anne the Queen (@spartan0157) March 2, 2023
“We believe that we’ve shown conclusively that (the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) failed miserably in investigating this case,” attorney Jim Griffin said. “And had they done a competent job, Alex would have been excluded from that circle (of suspects) a year ago or two years ago.”
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He also stressed the lack of evidence that was processed by the authorities, adding that the agency failed to investigate hair found in Murdaugh’s wife’s hand, analyze fingerprint evidence, examine footwear and tire impressions, or test DNA on the victims’ clothes. “They had decided, ‘Unless we find somebody else, it’s going to be Alex,’” he said.
Alex Murdaugh is accused of killing his wife and son, Maggie and Paul, who were fatally shot at the family’s dog kennels in June 2021. Along with two counts of first-degree murder, Murdaugh is also facing 99 charges linked to financial wrongdoing.