House Representative Dick Harpootlian recently stated that newly uncovered text messages between former attorney Alex Murdaugh and his drug dealer may have significantly shifted the defense’s approach during his trial, possibly averting a conviction.
Harpootlian, a seasoned defense lawyer from South Carolina and ex-state senator, shared with Fox News Digital that recent revelations of communications between Murdaugh and Curtis “Eddie” Smith were not provided to the defense team during the trial. He noted that their absence likely influenced the crucial choice not to bring Smith to the stand.
“In a trial like this, deciding who to call as a witness is a major factor,” Harpootlian explained. “We were unaware of these texts, and had we known, it could have impacted our decisions significantly. These messages shed new light on the drug distribution timeline.”
The messages indicate an ongoing conversation between Murdaugh and Smith on June 7, 2021, right before the murders of Murdaugh’s wife, Maggie, and their youngest son, Paul. For instance, Smith texted Murdaugh on June 3, just days before the incident, asking if he needed to collect a check. Murdaugh’s response hinted at some personal issues he had to handle that morning.
Smith, alleged to be Murdaugh’s main drug supplier, has not faced charges, despite evidence suggesting he could be a significant OxyContin distributor in South Carolina.
“Every other person indicted has pled guilty—except for Eddie Smith,” Harpootlian remarked.
On the day before the murders, Murdaugh texted Smith to “Callback,” and on the morning following the tragedy, Smith sent a frantic message asking Murdaugh if what he heard was true. Smith’s string of texts later displayed his growing concern when his messages went unanswered.
“The absence of these texts gives us a better understanding of the distribution timeline, especially concerning the murder week,” Harpootlian noted. “We didn’t know about them, and had we, it could have swayed our decision regarding whether to call Eddie Smith as a witness.” He expressed concern about Smith not being charged for his alleged role in supplying drugs.
The forthcoming retrial might unfold differently, as Murdaugh has already pleaded guilty to a financial crime, which has been factored out, narrowing the focus to forensic evidence. Harpootlian expressed confidence in Murdaugh’s defense, anticipating that stripping the case down to forensic data would effectively demonstrate Murdaugh’s innocence regarding the murders.
As for the next steps, Harpootlian suggested a potential appeal related to errors made during the original trial, noting that significant concerns linger over the conduct of a court clerk who has been charged with obstructing justice in this regard.
South Carolina’s law enforcement and the lead prosecutor, Clayton Waters, did not respond when asked for comments on these developments.
