House Representative Dick Harpootlian recently stated that a newly surfaced text message between former lawyer Alex Murdaugh and his alleged drug dealer significantly impacted the defense’s trial strategy, potentially preventing a conviction. Harpootlian, an experienced defense attorney and former South Carolina senator, pointed out that these messages, which were not disclosed during the trial, may have influenced the choice not to call Curtis “Eddie” Smith as a witness.
He remarked, “In trials like this, deciding who to call as a witness is crucial. We were unaware of these texts, and had we known, it might have changed our approach. They offer fresh insights into the timeline of drug transactions.”
Smith, dubbed Murdaugh’s main drug supplier, has yet to face charges, despite allegations indicating he could be a major OxyContin distributor in South Carolina. Harpootlian noted, “Everyone else indicted has pleaded guilty except for Eddie Smith.”
The text conversation between Smith and Murdaugh occurred on June 7, 2021, at the Murdaugh family’s hunting lodge, just before the murders of Murdaugh’s wife, Maggie, and their younger son, Paul. In a text from June 3, four days prior to the murders, Smith asked, “Hey brother, do I need to get the check you have with you or will you be there later?” Murdaugh replied later that day, saying, “I had to deal with some bulls this morning.”
On the day before the murders, Murdaugh sent a text urging Smith to “Callback.” After the murders, Smith anxiously reached out to Murdaugh, asking, “Please tell me what I heard is not true” and begging for a response. When there was no reply, he texted, “fishing hole.” His messages grew more frantic, remarking, “My phone won’t go.” Harpootlian emphasized the importance of these texts: “They help outline a timeline for their dealings during murder week. Knowing this could have impacted our decision to call Eddie Smith.” He expressed concern that Smith remains uncharged regarding his involvement in selling drugs to Murdaugh.
Harpootlian also raised an issue regarding court clerk Becky Hill, who has faced allegations of misconduct. Hill was arrested and charged with perjury, reportedly for lying during the appeal process, complicating matters surrounding Murdaugh’s case. Harpootlian believes that these developments could pave the way for a new trial based on claims of judicial errors and Hill’s conduct.
He plans to respond to the state’s appeal as necessary, stating, “We have up to 30 days, and then the Supreme Court will decide whether to hear our case.” Overall, he expressed optimism for a retrial, arguing that the circumstances would shift towards a focus on more critical evidence. “Last time, we spent weeks on financial misconduct. This time, we can concentrate purely on forensic evidence, which we firmly believe will demonstrate that Alex is innocent.” South Carolina’s law enforcement and prosecutors involved in the investigation have not yet commented on these developments.
