South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh, who told a former client to shoot him fatally, turned himself in Thursday on charges related to an insurance fraud scheme, according to a new report.
Murdaugh, 53, was booked Thursday on charges of insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, and filing a false police report at the Hampton County Detention Center, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said. Murdaugh’s wife and son were also killed unexpectedly in June while on their family’s hunting property, and the attorney is expected to appear in court Thursday, CNN reported.
“I can assure you that SLED agents will continue working to bring justice to anyone involved with any criminal act associated with these ongoing investigations,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “The arrests in this case are only the first step in that process.”
An affidavit released by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division showed that Murdaugh admitted on Monday to having 61-year-old Curtis Edward Smith shoot him in order for his son Buster to collect a life insurance policy, with the insurance plan valued at an estimated $10 million. The affidavit named Murdaugh as a “co-defendant.”
SOUTH CAROLINA LAWYER TOLD FORMER CLIENT TO KILL HIM, POLICE SAY
The shooting happened on Sept. 4 and resulted in only a bullet grazing Murdaugh, when it was intended to be a fatal shot.
A judge set bail for Smith at $55,000, according to a local outlet WCSC. Smith faces multiple charges, including assisted suicide, assault and battery of a highly aggravated nature, pointing and presenting a firearm, insurance fraud, and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. He also faces charges of distribution of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Murdaugh’s attorney, Dick Harpootlian, claimed his client had fallen into depression after his wife, Maggie, and his son Paul were found shot and killed on their family hunting property in June this year.
