The Colleton County Courthouse where the trial of Alex Murdaugh was underway had to be evacuated after a bomb threat was called in. People were allowed to return 2-1/2 hours later, with explosive testimony following.
Bomb threat interrupts Alex Murdaugh trial
At the trial of Alex Murdock, a bomb threat was called in and forced an evacuation of the entire Colleton County Courthouse.
The packed courtroom was cleared, as attorneys, the defendant, the judge, the jury, family members, and spectators were rushed out just before a witness was about to take the stand, BuzzFeed reported.
According to NBC, Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman calmly told the courtroom shortly before 12:30 PM: “We have to evacuate the building at this time. We’ll be in recess until we discover what’s going on.”
The televised trial got some additional drama as the courtroom was cleared. Authorities hurried Murdaugh out the back door of the court, while members of his family were also quickly escorted out.
“Alex was taken by the police, but they grabbed the family and rushed them out ahead of us,” according to a spectator in the courtroom. “And then we all evacuated the building and scattered around.”
Caller not identified
The bomb threat was received by Colleton County Courthouse personnel, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, who are investigating the incident, along with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office.
Law enforcement brought in police dogs to sweep the courthouse.
Authorities have not yet identified the caller, only revealing that the person had a “male-sounding voice.”
After the building was cleared, Court staff and attorneys were allowed back inside the court first, beginning around 2:30 PM.
Case has captured national attention
Alex Murdaugh, 54, a once-powerful attorney from a well-connected legal family, is accused of fatally shooting his wife, Margaret, 52, and their youngest son, Paul, 22, on the evening of June 7, 2021. Murdaugh alleges their murders are the result of a boat accident involving his son that killed a 19-year-old girl and claims Paul was getting death threats over the incident, CNN reported.
Explosive testimony forthcoming after judge makes pivotal decision
Two days prior to the bomb threat, Judge Newman decided to allow the jury to hear evidence about Murdaugh’s alleged financial crimes. The judge agreed with prosecutors that this evidence could be seen as a possible motive.
Typically, such evidence would not be permitted during the trial if it were only being used to show a defendant had a bad character or a propensity for crime.
The judge’s decision will bring several witnesses back to the court to testify once more in front of the jury, including the CEO of a law firm where Murdock had been fired for stealing funds.
