Legal Woes Mount for Alex Murdaugh, Strong South Carolina Law firm Shot in the Head

A popular South Carolina lawyer whose wife and son ended up brutally murdered—and who has considering the fact that been shot in the head, ousted from his company for alleged theft, and put in rehab for drug dependency—has been suspended from practising legislation, the state’s best court docket dominated.

In a ruling issued by the South Carolina Supreme Court docket on Wednesday, Alex Murdaugh, 53, has been placed on interim suspension pending an investigation underneath Rule 17 (b) of the state’s Appellate Court docket. The statute states that “upon receipt of adequate evidence demonstrating that a attorney poses a substantial danger of major hurt to the public or to the administration of justice” the courtroom may suspend an legal professional.

The suspension, which also pointed out that Murdaugh had consented to the decision, is the most current in a dizzying flip of functions for a legal dynasty that has held sway in rural Hampton County for decades.

Randolph Murdaugh IV, the eldest brother in the popular family, claimed in a Wednesday statement to The Day by day Beast that he and the family’s law business, Peters Murdaugh Parker Eltzroth Detrick, were being stunned by his brother’s apparent unraveling.

“I was shocked, just as the rest of my PMPED household, to discover of my brother, Alex’s, drug dependancy and thieving of dollars,” he explained. “I really like my legislation business, relatives, and also enjoy Alex as my brother. When I will help him in his restoration, I do not guidance, condone, or justification his conduct in thieving by manipulating his most trusted interactions.”

The household drama started in early June, when Alex’s 52-year-aged spouse, Margaret, and their 22-calendar year-previous son, Paul, were both of those uncovered fatally shot close to the looking dog kennels in their 1,700-acre estate.

Even though authorities have been restricted-lipped about the murder investigation, Murdaugh found himself at the time again in the countrywide spotlight when he named authorities above the weekend—stating that he had been shot in the head by an unidentified truck driver when modifying a tire on the aspect of a back highway in the Lowcountry.

The Condition Regulation Enforcement Division told The Day by day Beast that Murdaugh only sustained a “superficial” wound and was introduced from the healthcare facility quickly soon after he arrived.

Just hours soon after the incident, Murdaugh issued a shock assertion saying that he experienced quit the law organization his good-grandfather started a century ago and was entering rehab. His legal professional, Jim Griffin, instructed The Point out his shopper entered a drug therapy middle to treatment for his substance abuse. Citing sources, the newspaper said the material was oxycodone.

“The murders of my spouse and son have caused an amazingly tricky time in my lifetime. I have manufactured a large amount of selections that I actually regret,” Murdaugh mentioned in the statement. “I’m resigning from my law firm and coming into rehab just after a long fight that has been exacerbated by these murders.”

“I am immensely sorry to anyone I’ve hurt, like my family, buddies, and colleagues. I check with for prayers as I rehabilitate myself and my relationships,” he additional.

But late Monday evening, Peters Murdaugh Parker Eltzroth Detrick discovered that Murdaugh had truly been compelled out times earlier—on allegations of theft.

“His resignation came after the discovery by PMPED that Alex misappropriated funds in violation of PMPED criteria and procedures,” the organization mentioned in a statement Monday evening. “A forensic accounting agency will be retained to perform a thorough investigation. Law enforcement and the SC Bar have been notified by PMPED. This is disappointing news for all of us. Rest certain that our organization will deal with this in a clear-cut way.”

While the law business declined to comment on how substantially Murdaugh allegedly stole, two persons linked with the South Carolina legal community instructed The Each day Beast that the sum is above a million pounds.

“It’s a great deal of funds, that’s all I know,” one supply mentioned.

After the notification to the South Carolina Bar and other authorized entities in the point out, the main prosecuting company in the area—an company the Murdaughs formerly helmed from 1920 to 2005—announced that Murdaugh would no extended be permitted to prosecute its circumstances as a volunteer.

“Alex Murdaugh is no lengthier authorized to prosecute on behalf of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. A formal letter from Solicitor Duffie Stone revoking that privilege was mailed before right now,” a solicitor spokesperson told The Each day Beast.

Stone, who has ties with the Murdaugh loved ones and has recused himself from the murder investigation, revoked Murdaugh’s volunteer status soon after information of the theft and drug dependency allegations, the spokesperson added.

In South Carolina, any legal professional who is accused of misconduct is investigated and sanctioned by the state’s court docket program. It is not very clear, having said that, if the Commission on Law firm Conduct has opened a case into Murdaugh.

“This [saga] has been a lightning bolt as a result of the Lowcountry,” just one Hampton County resident, who wished to remain nameless for fear of qualified retribution, informed The Each day Beast. “It’s interesting… This is a typical South Carolina tale… of the white privilege and prosperity and electric power safeguarding the Murdaughs.”