The True Crime Librarian

03/03/2023

Richard Alexander Murdaugh was sentenced to Life in Prison one for Maggie and one for Paul. As it stands he will never see the light of day in the free world again. Judge Newman addressed Alex before handing down his sentence and asked when will the lies stop? And Alex just stared back maintaining his innocence. By the time that Judge Newman banged the gavel, Buster Murdaugh had left the court house. We can expect appeals coming through as Alex will fight his conviction but what to come of it... time will only tell

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LIVE: SC v. Alex Murdaugh | Sentencing - Disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh, 54, has been guilty on all counts for fatally shooting Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and Pa...

03/03/2023

This trial was one for the record books, there were highs and lows during the last 28 days. We watched testimony of 75 witnesses for both the prosecution and defense all tell us what they knew that pertained to the murder of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh. I would say that so much of this case was built on the pending financial charges- the very motive as to why the once loving husband and father would do what Alex has now been convicted of.
We watched Alex smooth talk his way on the stand, something highly anticipated and expected. Alex knew that he could get up there and help his case; there was so much controversy over Crieghton Waters and his line of questioning. Alex willfully admitted to stealing the millions he's accused of taking, but he would never commit such a heinous murder on the son who was the apple of his eye or his college sweetheart. Yet the digital foot prints left behind gave us suck a detailed look into what happened that night from the time that Paul took the infamous snapchat video where Alex Murdaugh can be heard clearly talking in the background to the point that his company issued Suburban turned on and that was the final nail in this verdict, in my personal opinion. If you were unable to listen to the testimony regarding that company vehicle please follow the link below. At 8:44 pm Paul Murdaugh recorded the snapchat video at 9:07 after Alex took 283 steps his company Suburban leaves 4147 Moselle and we watch as OnStar takes snapshots of the drive from Moselle to Almeda leaving such a narrow window of time for someone (or 2 someones per the defense) to come on to the property, find weapons owned by the Murdaugh family and brutally murder Paul and Maggie.
Depending on where your mindset was at the start of the trial the surprise of it all, with the exception of Alex testifying, is GM handing the prosecution their information that would give us an exact look at Alex's movements that night narrowing Alex's window dramatically and showing us a distinct difference in his driving that day to and from work to driving at speeds nearing 80 mph down a road many say would be reckless due to the wildlife.
Tomorrow morning at 8:30 CST we will sit down with the Honorable Judge Newman, the prosecution and defense and start the sentencing phase as both sides were prepared....
3 hours is all it took for a jury of Alex Murdaugh's peers to hand down a GUILTY verdict on all counts...

I want to apologize to you all as I promised to try and do daily summaries with this trial but due to it's length I faced obstacles I didn't expect and was not able to watch every moment and with me going back to watch testimonies that I missed pilled up. But don't you worry because yours truly will be coming to you soon with TTCL's coverage of the Murdaugh's: a Good Ol' Boy System

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-The True Crime Library

: A South Carolina jury finds GUILTY of murdering his wife and son.

03/02/2023

Day 5 or Testimonies
Today was a huge day for the prosecution and you could feel the shift in the air with this one. So there was some ubfub about this Snapchat video and whether or not it would be admissible but that wasn’t the most damning video, another video taken by Paul intended for Rogan Gibson (a life long friend of Paul’s) or Gibson’s dog’s tail and in the back ground you hear Paul talking, you have Maggie talking, and finally you hear Alex’s voice. Alex Murdaugh has a unique pitch and twang to his voice making him easily identifiable to anyone who knows Alex. Gibson testifies that is Mr. Alex in the background, he went on to state he was 100% sure. This video puts Alex at the kennels 3 minutes from when investigators and the coroner say Paul and Maggie were killed…. not up at the house napping like he had claimed.
This was massive for the prosecution- they are putting him so close with a very narrow window of time; impossible to walk back to the house and miss someone being on the property. Another video, he Snapchat video, shows Alex in a completely different outfit earlier in the day. This one is not as damning as the recorded video in the kennels. Yes, Alex has on a different outfit but if you look closely you can see he’s either drenched in sweat or from the rain. Which makes it perfectly understandable as to why he changed, instead of changing after the murders as the prosecution claims. However I’m from the south, considerably different from the low country, and most people who are drenched like that and know they will be down at the kennels later, would wait to change clothing until they are completely finished with working outside as to not waste water or add the Landry pile. But who knows.

I apologize for the day late, dollar-short recap especially on a day where we could see the prosecution’s case come together with absolutely shocking testimonies!
Stick with me here as we sum up the trial day, each day from Southern South Carolina court room!

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01/02/2023

Day 4 of witness testimonies

Today was the day that the prosecution started tying their evidence to their theory of what happened that night. I personally was shocked that Alex’s own cousin took the stand for the state.m, John Bedingfield was the person in which Alex purchased the 3 Blackout rifles, one of which is unaccounted for and another was supposedly lost by Paul. This was a big point in this case, in order for these rifles to shoot .300 Blackout ammo,that the crime scene is littered with, you have to bore out the barrel so that the ammo can be fired without catching in the barrel. We also know that this particular ammunition can cause some serious damage.
Initially these weapons were purchased as Christmas gifts so that Buster and Paul could have rifles powerful enough to take down hogs. Now if you’ve ever been hog hunting or know someone who has you know these animals have touch skin, muscle, and fat for the bullet to pass through far enough to be catastrophic.

If you heard yesterday we find out that Maggie had stippling on her skin where the entrance wounds were for the back of the head-exaction style fatal shots. Maggie may have been running when she was first shot at.
Now here’s a theory that me and mom have chewed over during Recess for lunch which is: Alex was to shoot and kill Paul, then go to his parents house. Once Maggie arrived at Mossel she was to be the one to find Paul instead she shows up before Alex can clean up from their son murder, putting her in the devils path and which ultimately lead to her death. Alex had to think quick and from Worley’s life testimony yesterday we know that blood (human or animal) was wiped out of the SUV but we all know just making it visibly clean doesn’t mean it’s clean to forensics.
Back to these cell phones, Maggie’s was easy to open as they obtained her pass code and what we find on there is multiple steps were placed in the minutes leading to her death. We also find that her face recognition block was up and denied access around the time of the killings. These cell phone records will have Harpootlian standing and sitting like he’s at Christmas Mass. it’s going to be interesting tomorrow when we learn more about these records and what they tell us.
But the event taking social media by storm is an audio clip of Alex with investigators, he emotional and crying then we hear this
“It’s just so bad, _ did him so bad”. That blank is where people are split and no doubt have the jurors perplexed at this stage because what Senior Special SLED Agent Jeff Croft testified in court today that he had heard I but the defense is saying no he say they… I or they? Tell me below what you hear I or They?
I will say I’m starting to out these pieces together and the events that happened the night of June 7, 2021 are 100% completely horrifying and what Paul and Maggie both went through is the very definition of overkill here. Paul had time to reach, raising his arm which is why he has entrance wounds to his chest and exit wounds in his arm pit. Paul staggered some while blood was dripping from him, Alex knowing for his peace of mind with the financial crimes threatening to come to the light but at the same time he never intended for Paul to die is such a violent way and this may have helped us out with his short clip of I or they.
How do you feel the state is doing at presenting their case this far. We have many many more days to go of this trial, securing a conviction here will change the way the world looks at the Good Ole’ Boy system. And that no matter the legacy, you are not invincible.

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31/01/2023

Day 3 of testimonies
Going into day 3 of the Murdaugh Trial there were a lot of hopes that Prosecution would start putting pieces together from last weeks testimonies. And boy was today a day for both sides. Harpootlian grabbed on to the SLED forensic analyst who was on stand Friday evening and Dick sunk his teeth into the processing of this scene. There were moments that I just face palmed thinking how was this over looked or that not done right but in retrospect SLED did phenomenal job; the reasons I’m commending them after saying it look like the defense was in the process of unraveling is this. There was so much going on at this crime scene from the moment Paul was shot the first time and we start to learn a lot about what happened that night. Paul was shot once in the chest neck area where somewounds were around th ancillary area (arm pit) this shows Paul, unfortunately, seen Alex coming and was able to process the intentions in the moment before his death. Then Paul walked around the kennels staggering from the first blast when the second blast hit him in his head. Now this is where Dick, who let’s face it is a dog with a bone here, attacks with one thing in mind, dismantle the credibility of the crime scene process. We find out that an officers boot print was found in Paul’s blood, then Dick attacks the process in which the analyst measured and determined each shot’s trajectory. All of which we were sitting back waiting and watching what would come from this and then comes our next witness. Senior SpecialAgent Jeff Croft. This is where we start to see the thought process of those analyzing the scene. And we go through this long-drawn out process with him unsealing this firearm ceased from Mossel. Know why do this, why waste time? This is Prsecution is showing the courts that “yeah we had a slip up here and there but that was due to us making sure every I was dotted and ever T crossed. So, so many people were on scene at Mossel, this is a prominent family in the low country and now someone has gunned down two of their members, there was no way that anyone in law enforcement was going to miss things they shouldn’t have. In turn we had those who arrived on scene first flagging casing and other pieces of evidence so that it was not only seen to be processed but so that it was not disturbed with everyone walking around. It’s at this point I had to leave my home to pick up my daughter from school we are having winter weather here in Texas and the road conditions changed dramatically within a few hours. By the time I was back Judge Clifton recessed for lunch. So I talked with my mom and we chewed over how we thought the trial was going (thanks mom for filling in on what I missed)
Now I should point out that the weapon that was painstakingly unwrapped was NOT the murder weapon. However we noticed a trend with each weapon unwrapped, the Murdaugh’s have a specific taste in fi****ms- owning several that were similar to the weapons used to kill Maggie and Paul. But one thing I kept looking for was body language within Alex as this information started flowing and we were sitting back hearing testimony on texts and calls with Paul and his friend. And Alex was visibly anxious chewing on his lip, what look to be shock in his eyes as, what I’m saying is, the unraveling of his story to how the events of June 7, 2021 happened. We have investigators talking with the Murdaugh local gun guy, and we learn he had prepared two semiautomatic rifles for the Murdaugh’s. One for Paul and one for Buster- Buster’s be account for, Paul’s? Currently unaccounted for. And for them owning this crap ton of hunting land, being Americans exercising their right to own fi****ms, and have been around fi****ms their whole life you would think a gun missing would raise more questions than answers with Alex especially given what he was hiding with his financial crimes. What I do want to make note of from today’s testimonies is this… as much as Harpootlian believes or is trying to prove how the state doesn’t have anything to implicate Alex, but what we are seeing as this story unfolds is the state had far more than we thought. In all fairness this investigation was tight-lipped from the start and that’s because Alex was way to clean on a night he tried to move his son and wife after they had been shot and the damage was extensive. Harpootlian says they never looked away from Alex and with good reason, as we hear in his own words backtracking and overly excused explanations to what he did and said on the night of the murders versus three days later.
We also hear Alex creating small talk while casually dropping how he knows so and so- this was Alex’s way of throwing the weight of his name around much like Paul did the night of the boating accident where his first call was to his grandfather, Handsome because he knew he was in trouble. Alex knew he was in trouble that night too but him being frantic caused him to say too much and be slipping in the deaths of his wife and son.

Court will be in session tomorrow morning on CourtTV and you can download the app and watch as this trial continues to engross the country. This case could go along way in this day and age when it comes to small towns and the Good Ole’ Boy system that many are tan by.
Please if you watched the trail or listened in and you’d like to add feel free to do so in the comments!! I love getting y’all’s feedback and theories, and this is what many are calling the trial of the century!
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28/01/2023

Day 2 of Testimony and the prosecution countinued laying ground work for their case we watched a lot of exhibits get entered into the courts as evidence for the prosecution case. But let’s start back to this morning where we we’re listening as Alex spoke with investigators (a clip of which was release later in the day and as soon as I can get my hands on a clip of it I will be sharing for everyone to see) and the female investigator who took the stand from Colleton County spoke of her observations during speaking with Alex and although we couldn’t see the tape we could hear the audio and at one point when questioned about Alex and his appearance she noted that he was very clean in appearance but as you listen to Alex recount what happened when am he arrived home he states that he tried to roll Paul twice. Now the day before from Alex’s Defense team we get this gruesome detail of Paul’s murder and Harpootlian states ”his head essentially exploded” so had the injuries been to the level of Harpootlian’s description had Alex tried to roll Paul why wasn’t there transference of Paul’s blood on Alex? Now I did have to step away but at lunch I do believe they state that Alex had tried to even roll Maggie but didn’t. That’s two people who are covered in DNA and somehow Alex’s appearance is clean. Oh and it was raining and very little out by the kennels and shed is actually paved so the question arises is where’s the mud? If he was frantic and even had had a thought of running he should have at least kicked up dirty rain water spotting his clothing. Which by the way is a white T-shirt and shorts.

After lunch is when the prosecution hits the court with exhibits while SLED’s crime scene expert is on the stand and we watch as metal fragments, buccal swabs, and spent and unspent rounds of ammunition are entered into the court with hardly a peep from the defense. But what left me wanting more was swabs taken from a barrel of firearm- the swabs showed what appeared to be blood both outside and inside the barrel where the projectile is launched after the weapon fires. Before we can hear testimony on what those swabs showed prosecution passes the witness and the Honorable Judge Clifton Newman recesses until Monday morning. So we were left again with unanswered questions that we can only hope the prosecution will start providing answers to as we head into week 2. Stay with TTCL for the latest in the trial and be on the look out for when TTCL’s coverage of this case airs on your favorite podcast listening platform until then discuss and theorize I love to see what y’all come up with!

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27/01/2023

As soon as I can share the footage from inside of the cruiser of Alex from today's testimony I will be posting it here! This is something new for us to see today from the trials!

26/01/2023

*** UPDATE 1:53 PM CST***
Ok we have the 911 call playing and Alex is asked if there are any guns laying around and he states no but then states he’s going to his hous to retrieve a gun. The operator advises against him doing so, he then starts in on the boat accident and the threats being made against him from the boating accident that killed Mallory Beach and started the spiral that has brought all of this family and what’s been going on to light…

26/01/2023

***UPDATE 11:28 CST: Cpl Chad McDowell with Colleton County is on the stand and they are still going through body cam footage as Colleton County Sheriff's office comes on scene after the initial 911 call from Alex Murdaugh. Both sides are asking witnesses to clarify what they are looking at as the media has been told that nothing being played as evidence in the courtroom cannot be displayed to those in the gallery and watching on television- we can hear the audio and the testimony of what is going on and at some point we will be able to see a modified version of what is being displayed but as of now all we have is audio... Alex is a courtroom attorney and it's quite obvious he knows all eyes are on him and his movements and expression are seemingly mirror what he thinks should be happening as a reaction to the evidence and testimony. Whether you choose to believe he is guilty or innocent prior to the trial is your opinion but with everything that we know about him and the family and what is being uncovered you can't help but watch and question everything about him and the way he is acting

26/01/2023

***Update: 9:18 CST The court is looking at Body Cam footage from Sgt. Daniel Greene as he makes his way through the crime scene. Alex is currently sitting with his head down and looks to be crying- he seemed to show more emotion through the time the that now Detective was showing where Paul was laying. From opening statements from yesterday from Harpootlian we know that Paul's head was basically gone, Harpootlian stated the head exploded and went through graphic detail of his injuries and from the defense we know this was a horrifically graphic scene

26/01/2023

We’re about 30 minutes out from the beginning of the Murdaugh trial testimony coming as prosecution starts their case!
You can watch the trial live on court tv… I’ll provide comments on the trial today as I can

26/01/2023

How many of you have been patiently waiting for me to weigh in on this case?
Well the wait is almost over!!
Your Librarian will be weighing in from time to time on the trial but don’t worry you’ll have all the gory details soon enough- TTCL is coming back soon with this case being up first! I never intended to stay away long but I needed to regroup and recoup and yours truly has been digging into cases taking media by storm starting with the “Good Ol’ Boy System” stick with TTCL for updates throughout the trial and when TTCL comes back to your favorite podcast listening platforms!
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30/12/2022

I’m so excited to see this on preorder! I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy, John’s investigative structure is almost unmatchable! If you’ve been following this case then you’ll want to grab this August 8th! 🤓📖

I love when the web of lies finally unravels and for this family it started with one entitled son and lead to the fall of an empire in South. It has every thing you could imagine in a true crime case. Those paid to write a fictional movie could not come up with this story. Untouchable just found it’s match and it’s those who live in Hampton County- it was time the Murdaugh’s paid for their wrong doing but what came of it was the recipe for the perfect criminal enterprise.

Until August 8th, to curve those True Crime cravings check out the documentary on Discovery Plus. Your jaw will hit the floor and never leave!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61884966

In Tangled Vines, bestselling true crime author John Glatt reconstructs the rise of the prestigious Murdaugh family and the shocking doub...

05/12/2022

“Hate is a powerful force that will take root in your soul”
Athena Strand lived 7 short years on this earth and during that time she learned and felt the love of her family, they fought hard to bring her home when a man unknown to anyone, a stranger, an opportunistic took her and for an hour Athena saw evil in its purest form. We still do not know any information past Tanner Horner’s arrest and confession, we are at the mercy of investigators who are working diligently so that every I is dotted and every T is crossed, the mercy of the medical examiner to give us all an insight into the last hour of Athena’s life but today her grandfather spoke out about his granddaughters murder and the man who took her from this world.
I realize this isn’t a perfect world because if it was we wouldn’t even be sitting her discussing this case but it’s not and I realize many of you will not agree with the grandfather but the quote above jumped from the screen and I knew this needed to be shared. We can all hate Tanner or we can celebrate Athena- if you choose to hate Tanner that is okay, if you choose to celebrate Athena that is okay too. Whatever your choice is just know life is far more miserable when all you have is hate. The state of Texas will prosecute Tanner to the fullest of the law, due to Athena’s age the death penalty is most definitely on the table and the chances of the state choosing life over the death penalty will be between Athena’s family and the state of Texas and we as onlookers need to respect that. If it the choice was left up to all of us who followed the case from the beginning I know that many would choose death row and hope that the justice system inside of prisons will do what it does and make his last days on earth far more miserable than he could ever imagine. I hope none of you never have to live a life where hate has consumed you taking over every moment because that is not the life I would choose for you given the chance.
When you get dressed in the morning choose pink in any shade, in any form and choose to celebrate Athena Strand’s life and let us show that it doesn’t have to be our own flesh and blood to come out and support her family. All you have to be is human and to recognize it takes a village in order to raise our children in this world we have now.

Much Love 💖💋

03/12/2022

Tanner Horner (pictured) is currently only being charged with Aggravated Kidnapped and Capital Murder in the death of Athena Strand, there was no prior criminal history in Tanner's background. FedEx published a statement on this tragic event and they are cooperating fully with law enforcement. Please let us not blame them and their hiring practices, there was nothing in his past to forewarn them of what he was capable of doing.
The manner in which Athena was murdered has not yet been released, her body was moved to Tarrant county medical examiner's office. This investigation is still on going as they prepare for court proceedings. I will continue to bring updates throughout for those wanting to follow.

03/12/2022

***UPDATE***
Athena’s body was recovered approximately 6 miles from her home on or around 8 pm CST- at this time a 31 year old FedEx driver, Tanner Horner, abducted Athena. Officials believe that she passed approximately 1 hour following her abduction. The driver is currently being held in Wise County on a 1.5 million dollar bond. Remember that Athena was a beautifully pure soul and we send our prayers to her family and friends at this time. No parent should ever have to bury their child no matter the circumstances.
This is CONFIRMED by investigators in this case. They do have a confession at this time. Autopsy is pending- ***

We are expecting an official conference any minute now, click the link below to watch in real time!

Police have been looking for the missing Wise County girl for almost 2 days and put out an AMBER Alert, but have not previously announced any findings

10/11/2022

I received a shocking email yesterday, so shocking I wasn’t sure how to articulate into words my disbelief of this news… I hope her story has been passed around so many times that everyone in this world will recognize her face and her name. Knowing the level of manipulation that she is capable of. The immediate danger that is present when she befriends you, and with it all I hope that she never has a chance again to commit the crimes she’s more than capable of committing. So take this, spread it, flood social media and maybe we can save the next person she becomes friends with from losing their lives to this narcissist!
Michelle “Shelly” Knotek walked into the free world on November 8, 2022, she’s received another shot at life when her victims never did even before they realized it….
If you haven’t yet heard TTCL’s coverage of Shelly- check out “Do As Mother Says” found wherever you listen to your podcasts

31/10/2022

Friday around 6:30 pm CST news broke that Indiana State Police and the Delphi Police Department had made an arrest in the deaths of Abby Williams and Liberty German, 2 young teens that were found down the hill not far from Monon High Bridge Trail where the two girls were last seen after being dropped off at the trail on February 14, 2017 by a family member. Not much was known on Friday evening except that the man’s name was Richard Allen. Monday, October 31, 2022 officials held a conference to talk about Allen and his charges pertaining to his arrest Friday evening.
Allen has/had been a person of interest but with the how tight lipped they’ve been able to keep everyone involved in the investigation what Allen’s role is/was wasn’t released. Today we learn that Allen has been charged with 2 counts of murder in the deaths of Abby and Libby. According to officials this case is far from over despite the already entered plea of “Not Guilty” from Allen. The manner in which Abby and Libby died has yet to be released other than murder, one can’t help but wonder if there is a second or third person that police may be looking at for this horrendous crime. Maybe a confession from Allen telling them what they already know but have managed to keep out of the news for 5 1/2 years. With little to go on the true crime world can only speculate, the people of Delphi are shocked to hear that one time pharmacy tech may have had a hand in these two girls’ death. But there was always the knowledge that investigators believed who ever was behind these murders was someone local to the area, knowing the hiking trail and the park so he could conceal their bodies long enough for him to re-write his day on February 14th.

As soon as more information becomes available I will post about it right here on TTCL!

Richard Matthew Allen, 50, was arrested Friday on two murder counts in the 2017 slayings of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, in Delphi in northern Indiana, police said.