Alex Murdaugh’s legal dream team strategizes at luxe South Carolina estate

Walterboro, South Carolina — Alex Murdau’s strong legal team has confirmed that it is renting a gorgeous 500-acre wedding venue in Walterboro, South Carolina during a client’s sensational double-murder trial. Fox News Digital found out.

The property, called Eden at Gracefield, is the temporary home of Murdaugh’s lead attorneys, Dick Harpootlian, Jim Griffin, and their entourage.

The team rented all five homes “surrounded by lakes and quiet woods” about eight miles (8 miles) from the Colton County Courthouse for a little less than the list price of $20,475 a week.

“Since we were staying so long, we got a little discount,” said Laura Walker, who runs the venue with her entrepreneur husband, Paul Walker.

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The third week of Murdoh’s double-murder trial ended on Friday. He was accused of shooting his wife, Maggie Murdow, and his 22-year-old son, Paul Murdow, on June 7, 2021, at a family hunting ground known as the Moselle.

Lead prosecutor Clayton Waters says Murdoh committed a vicious murder to distract attention from his decade-long financial plan, which included embezzling millions of dollars from his law firm and clients. claimed.

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The interior of the manor house, one of five luxury properties Alex Murdau’s legal team rented in Walterboro, South Carolina during his trial. Clockwise from left: kitchen, living room, foyer and dining room, guest bedroom. (Patrick Brickman)

The defense portrays the disqualified lawyer as a loving family man who cannot inflict such horrific wounds on his beloved wife and son.

The Walkers aren’t particularly interested in the details of what has become the largest trial in South Carolina history since Susan Smith was found guilty of drowning her two sons.

Alex Murdau (middle) speaks with Attorney Jim Griffin during Murdau’s double-murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, February 3, 2023. (Sam Wolf/The State, Poole)

“I don’t really care,” said Laura Walker. “Her husband and I are very busy.”

Murdoh’s team wasn’t the only one interested in luxury bargains. “

The other side also called the property,” said Paul Walker.

The front gate of the Eden mansion in Gracefield, Walterboro, South Carolina, Tuesday, February 7, 2023. (Mark Sims of Fox News Digital)

State prosecutors and investigators with the South Carolina Department of Law Enforcement, based about 100 miles (100 miles) north of Columbia, landed on the Hampton Inn and Suites, the nicest hotel in town, renovated nearly five years ago.

Purchased in the 1930s by local property developer Boots Fishburne, the Eden estate is located directly across from where Paul Walker’s grandfather, a poor farmer, owned the land.

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A tree-lined driveway leads to barns and rental homes on a spectacular Eden property in Gracefield, Walterboro, South Carolina, Tuesday, February 7, 2023. (Mark Sims of Fox News Digital)

The Walkers purchased the property several years ago and meticulously refurbished all of the residences and the 8,000-square-foot barn used for wedding receptions from the ground up. The venue has 77 weddings booked for her this year alone.

The property’s grandest home, the Manor House, overlooks a 27-acre lake with a pool and backlit fountain.

The living room of Eden’s tobacco barn home in Gracefield, Walterboro, South Carolina. (Courtesy of Gracefield’s Eden)

The striking Mediterranean-style home features crystal chandeliers, onyx foyers, and a 12-foot kitchen island.

Lonely days for the legal team turn into lavish nights with a live-in cook who prepares three meals a day.

“They probably met at the manor house, which is probably where she does most of the cooking,” Laura Walker said of the chef. “It’s a beautiful kitchen with double ovens and a gas range.”

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The Hampton Inn and Suites in Walterboro, South Carolina, where the prosecution team is staying for the murder trial of Alex Murdau. Chief Prosecutor Clayton Waters. (Rebecca Rosenberg/Joshua Boucher via The State, Poole)

The spread also features a rustic tobacco barn and whimsical fairy lights above the bed in the master bedroom.

“Men like to stay there,” she added of her guests.

Privacy is paramount to Murdoh’s team and we asked that the back door be kept locked during our stay.

Prosecutor Creighton Waters and defense attorney Dick Harpootlian speak after juror immunity in the Alex Murdaugh double homicide trial in Coleton County Courthouse Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. (Joshua Boucher/The State/Pool)

They access the property through a wrought iron gate that opens onto an enchanting pathway lined with live oaks covered in Spanish moss.

It’s unclear how Murdow, who claims to be bankrupt, is paying Democratic state senator Harputorian and Griffin, whose team’s housing tab is already over $60,000.

The state’s experience of about 16 employees is not so glamorous. They share Hampton Inn and Suites with more than 30 of his press outlets, including Fox News Digital.

Alex Murdoh (left) with defense attorney Dick Harputrian (middle) and Jim during Murdau’s double-murder trial at Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina, Monday, February 6, 2023. I’m talking to Griffin. (Jeff Blake/The State/Pool)

Hampton Inns with rooms overlooking Interstate 95 or a parking lot aren’t cheap either. The surge in demand brought the price to about $300 per night.

But if the trial continues until next month, Murdoh’s legal team could soon join the opposition of the two-star hotel.

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They have to vacate Gracefield’s Eden by the end of February for their wedding scheduled for the first week of March.

“They know this. They’re going to have to find another place to stay,” Laura Walker told Fox News Digital. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.”