Paul was awaiting trial in connection to a 2019 boat crash that left a 19-year-old woman dead, police said. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. III. Previously, judge Clifton Newman ruled that the alleged plot was inadmissible, but now said that Alex's lawyers had "opened the door" to allowing the testimony. [3] The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule if the declarant is unavailable as a witness: A statement not specifically covered by any of the foregoing exceptions but having equivalent circumstantial guarantees of trustworthiness, if the court determines that (A) the statement is offered as evidence of a material fact; (B) the statement is more probative on the point for which it is offered than any other evidence which the proponent can procure through reasonable efforts; and (C) the general purposes of these rules and the interests of justice will best be served by admission of the statement into evidence. You're all set! "This is disappointing news for all of us," PMPED said in a statement obtained by the Island Packet, noting that the firm had cut all ties with Alex. R. Kelly has received . Of course, the list of murders doesnt end anywhere near the above few; there have been several famous murders in Georgia (or should we say infamous), including: 3. The district court found defendant competent and ordered him to stand trial. Forsyth County News accounts from that time show that the Reids loved horses and the outdoors and that Kathy Reid enjoyed baking. A woman's voice can also be heard on the call speculating that Horsford might have fallen from the balcony. He contends the absence of a blood trail is evidence someone else (the actual murderer or murderers) removed his jeans from him after he was shot in the head. In May 2019, Paul pleaded not guilty. After the murders, E.H. Reid began calling his children and adult grandchildren early every morning to make sure they were OK. He calls me every morning about 6:30, said Danny Reid, Tony Reid's brother. In response to Smith's claims, Alex released medical records that show he was, in fact, shot in the back of the head but just peripherally. Defendant was married to Jolene Forsyth. Most of the partygoers had gone to bed at that time, and she was on the deck alone. His wife was raped, killed, and found in a wooded area days later. Amid Alex's legal troubles, a new twist entered the case. [5] The family's attorney also stated that lack of evidence, types of injuries discovered, and mismatched witness accounts strongly suggested homicide. This guy is just one of many reasons. "He had no motive to kill them," Griffin told the station. These allegations prompted him to confront his dependency and he voluntarily checked into an in-patient substance abuse rehab facility after being discharged from the hospital Monday.". The absence of a blood trail between the bed and the jeans is consistent with defendant's removal of his jeans prior to his infliction of the head wound. On Sept. 8, Alex's law license was temporarily suspended by the South Carolina Supreme Court. A potential subject handled the body as well as the evidence prior to law enforcement arriving. [5] According to the GBI medical examiners report, Horsford sustained severe injuries to her head, neck, and torso. Sept. 15, 2021: Authorities reveal Alex Murdaugh arranged his own shooting, Sept. 15, 2021: Alex Murdaugh arrested in his own shooting, Hampton County Detention Center/AP/Shutterstock, Sept. 15, 2021: The 2018 death of housekeeper Gloria Satterfield is investigated, Sept. 16, 2021: Alex Murdaugh appears in court, Oct. 13, 2021: Alex Murdaugh is revealed to be a person of interest in murders of his wife and son, Oct. 14, 2021: Alex Murdaugh is arrested on new charges, Oct. 14, 2021: Medical records disprove Alex Murdaugh was struck by bullet, Facebook; Colleton County Sheriff's Office/AP/Shutterstock, Nov. 18, 2021: Grand jury charges Alex Murdaugh with 27 counts of financial misconduct, Jan. 21, 2022: Alex Murdaugh faces more charges, June 29, 2022: Alex Murdaugh indicted on money laundering charges, July 14, 2022: Alex Murdaugh indicted for murders of wife and son, July 15, 2022: PEOPLE reports Alex Murdaugh allegedly lured wife to cabin on night she was killed, Jan. 25, 2023: Prosecutors detail how Alex Murdaugh's son's cell phone placed him at murder scene, Feb. 1, 2023: Alex Murdaugh's last text to wife revealed in court, Grace Beahm Alford/The Post And Courier via AP, Feb. 2, 2023: Prosecutors show video of Alex Murdaugh wearing 2 different shirts on night of murders, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (2), Feb. 6, 2023: Alex's mother's caregiver testifies at trial, Feb. 8, 2023: The trial is interrupted by a bomb threat, Feb. 15, 2023: Murdaugh's sister-in-law testifies, Feb. 21, 2023: Buster Murdaugh testifies about murders of mother and brother, Feb. 23, 2023: Alex Murdaugh Takes the Stand in His Own Defense. Dr. Souza testified he had performed a psychiatric evaluation of defendant and found defendant was aware of his legal circumstances and had the ability to comprehend his current legal situation. Today, he knows that's not true. FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. A father and daughter were killed in what deputies believe to be a murder-suicide Sunday. Upon discovering the bodies of his family members, Kenneth Kunz realized that his mother, Helen, was nowhere to be found. You can explore additional available newsletters here. Id. Defendant was able to impressively confront nearly every aspect of the State's case. For example, defendant gives considerable weight to the fact no blood was apparently found on Jessica's hair. Discuss it in the comments we love hearing your thoughts! The GBI toxicology screening found a blood alcohol level of .238 and traces of THC and Alprazolam (an anxiety drug) at the time of her death. She said the county was different in 1989 and that most people didnt lock their doors. He and the Reids have stayed in touch over the years. There was no question there was a bond its not hard to like people like that.. Defendant had told his wife's first dissolution attorney a divorce would not happen and he would do whatever he could to stop it from happening. [2] In its ruling, the district court found defendant was suffering from amnesia with respect to the events of June 13 through June 15, and the amnesia was probably permanent in nature. at 38. Robertson, who at one time had worked for Tony Reid, was tried separately from Avery and Brady. Reid put up billboards and passed out fliers to anyone that would take one in the hopes of catching those responsible. Evidence was disposed of and no inquiry followed. A lifelong county resident, Tony Reid was an auctioneer and owned a used car business. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office closed the case on Feb. 20, 2019, calling it an accidental death. [3] Hundreds of people shared the hashtag #tamlahorsford, questioning different angles of the case and calling for justice. On Sunday night, Mark Napodano left the girls with Forsyth and her three children, ages 7 to 18, while he went on a trip. Any unresolved aspects of the evidence (such as the location of the pen used to write the suicide notes or the location of the key to defendant's rented room) are not sufficient to overcome the overwhelming evidence of defendant's guilt. Testimony established defendant had engaged in stalking-type conduct from at least early 1992 through Saturday, June 12, 1993, when defendant followed his family and the Napodanos as they went to Des Moines for dinner. In March 1993, Jolene's brother John overheard defendant tell Jolene "[y]ou are bringing this all on yourself. She said he could sell you anything, whether you needed it or not.. The State argues records kept by a client pursuant to her attorney's direction are trustworthy and reliable. He has pledged not guilty to two counts of murder and two weapon charges in the killings of his wife Margaret "Maggie . Id. at 37-38. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office is working with . SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) spokesperson Tommy Crosby added to PEOPLE, "agents are actively investigating the incident," and local authorities classified it as an "attempted murder.". The next day, Alex was shot, and members of his law firm went to the scene to report details of the missing money to authorities. A Norwalk police officer testified the gun looked like defendant's gun which the Norwalk police department had taken into custody during part of 1991. He said the revolver used was found in the house. Shortly after his arrest, Alex appeared in the Hampton County magistrate court in Varnville, S.C., for his arraignment and bond hearing. Where most of the State's evidence is physical in nature, and defendant had access to the State's files, a defendant's amnesia does not necessarily render him incompetent to stand trial. Amanda is a Georgia native, GSU Panther, and blogger. Alec Murdaugh's murder trial began on Monday, January 23. . The next morning, Clarence Kunz (76), Irene Kunz (81), Marie . The next morning, Kenny Kunz discovered his family'sbodiesthroughout the house. true crime. Prior to the murders, Forsyth had had extensive contact with psychological professionals. Defendant contends the journals were inherently untrustworthy as they were prepared in anticipation of litigation (the parties' divorce) and Jolene would have had a motive to lie about defendant's conduct in order to further her interests in the dissolution proceedings. The bodies were found in two bedrooms and there were no signs of a struggle, Richardson said. Less than one week later, on Sept. 13, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division announced that it opened an investigation into allegations that Alex stole funds from his law firm. Jolene and Brian had been shot to death. On Sept. 4, 2021, news broke that Alex had been shot Hampton County, S.C. "He was shot in the head while he was changing a tire," Alex's attorney Jim Griffin confirmed to PEOPLE. State v. Martens, 521 N.W.2d 768, 770 (Iowa App.1994). E.H. Reid, Tony Reids father, said it took authorities about three years and four months to catch the three men responsible for their deaths, but he never gave up. Sidney police investigators have arrested 51-year-old Lyndsee Colette Brewer of Forsyth, Montana and charged her with the murder of Christoper A. Wetzstein. The brutal murder of their mother by Jasmiyah and Tasmiyah Whitehead. Numerous times a day defendant would drive by and/or sit outside Jolene's home and observe her activities. Exclusion of Evidence. The next morning, Clarence Kunz (76), Irene Kunz (81), Marie Kunz (72), and Randy Kunz (30) were found with .22-caliber bullet holes in their heads. Two days later, Alex whose wounds were "superficial," the SLED told PEOPLE released a statement saying he was leaving his job at Peters Murdaugh Parker Eltzroth & Detrick and entering treatment once he left the hospital. If they hadnt have stayed with it, more than likely (the men responsible) would have never been caught.. On the night of Maggie's murder, she received a text from Alex that read, "Call me, babe." On Frid "He deeply regrets that his actions have distracted from the efforts to solve their murders.". The case took another turn on Sept. 7, 2021, when PEOPLE reported that members of Alex's law firm had confronted him about missing money on Sept. 3 before notifying law enforcement and the South Carolina Bar Association, The Island Packet reported. I said, Dont tell me that.'. Their two young children were left alive inside their northern. "Rest assured that our firm will deal with this in a straightforward manner. [1] We always wondered how they were doing., Ronda Ostrander, another neighbor, said she often saw Forsyth visiting his younger daughter. "[7] He had interviewed 30 people, including family, friends, and other partygoers.[11]. Later on Sept. 15, Alex's lawyers released a statement claiming Smith exploited Alex's drug addiction and mental illness. He brought attention to a small cut on her wrist, suggesting that it may be self-inflicted. A law enforcement source close to the investigation told PEOPLE that on the night of the murders, Alex allegedly reached out to Maggie, asking her to meet him at the family's 1,770-acre estate. "He said, 'Well, you've got to do it.' The burden to prove incompetency rests with the accused. SLED officials stated that a coroner had found inconsistencies surrounding Satterfield's death. 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