Episode

MMP #84: The Latest on Stephen Smith, SLED’s Investigation into the Murders and Russell Laffitte’s Future
listen on Spotify
53:47
Published: Thu Mar 16 2023
Description

Thank you for your patience as this episode is publishing later than usual. As I said on social media, our team is in adjustment mode after the adrenaline and the chaos of the trial slowed down and we’re all still trying to all recenter our focus.  Now that Alex Murdaugh has been convicted in the murders of his wife and son, it’s time to take a look back on all the pieces that had to come together for the jury to deliver that guilty verdict. In the short time since Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murdering his wife and son, a lot has happened in the wake of his sentencing. This week on Murdaugh Murders Podcast, co-hosts Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell take a look at the latest criticism of the murder investigation and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division — as well as Jim Griffin’s strange post-trial social media presence and Russell Laffitte’s defeats in the courtroom. They also talk with Sandy Smith about the next steps in finding justice for her son, Stephen Smith. To learn more about the planned Independent Exhumation and Autopsy for Stephen, click here: http://bit.ly/3JGacec A private medical examiner must be present from the start of the exhumation through the examination period at a cost of approximately $750 per hour. It is a huge expense, but we are hoping that with your support we can make this happen and finally get the answers we need. If you can give, we thank you for your generosity. If you cannot give, we would appreciate you sharing and praying for justice for Stephen. We believe 2023 is Stephen's year. Thank you all again for the love and support. We all want to drink from the same Cup Of Justice — and it starts with learning about our legal system. By popular demand, Cup of Justice has launched as its own weekly show. Go to cupofjusticepod.com to learn more or click the link in the episode description to get a hot cup of justice wherever you get your podcasts! Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cup-of-justice/id1668668400 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Itp67SQTZEHQGgrX0TYTl?si=39ff6a0cc34140f3 Consider joining our MMP Premium Membership community to help us SHINE THE SUNLIGHT! CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3BdUtOE SUNscribe to our free email list to get alerts on bonus episodes, calls to action, new shows and updates. CLICK HERE to learn more: https://bit.ly/3KBMJcP And a special thank you to our sponsors: Microdose.com, PELOTON, Simplisafe, and others. Use promo code "MANDY" for a special offer! Find us on social media: Facebook.com/MurdaughPod/ Instagram.com/murdaughmurderspod/ Twitter.com/mandymatney Twitter.com/elizfarrell YouTube.com/c/MurdaughMurders Support Our Podcast at: https://murdaughmurderspodcast.com/support-the-show Please consider sharing your support by leaving a review for MMP on Apple at the following link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/murdaugh-murders-podcast/id1573560247 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chapters
In this podcast episode, the host shares the importance of prioritizing mental health and confronting evil in the world.
00:00 - 02:34 (02:34)
listen on Spotify
Mental Health
Summary

In this podcast episode, the host shares the importance of prioritizing mental health and confronting evil in the world. They also discuss the disturbing actions of Elik Murdoch and question the continued support for him despite evidence against him.

Episode
MMP #84: The Latest on Stephen Smith, SLED’s Investigation into the Murders and Russell Laffitte’s Future
Podcast
Murdaugh Murders Podcast
A plaintiff's attorney with a limited experience in criminal cases, Richard "Racehorse" Haynes, managed to get a badge that gave him the power of a sworn police officer and allowed him to influence the outcome of various entanglements.
02:34 - 08:34 (05:59)
listen on Spotify
Richard "Racehorse" Haynes
Summary

A plaintiff's attorney with a limited experience in criminal cases, Richard "Racehorse" Haynes, managed to get a badge that gave him the power of a sworn police officer and allowed him to influence the outcome of various entanglements. Despite his successful use of the badge, Haynes' criminal activities were one subpoena away from being revealed.

Episode
MMP #84: The Latest on Stephen Smith, SLED’s Investigation into the Murders and Russell Laffitte’s Future
Podcast
Murdaugh Murders Podcast
Critics have slammed SLED for allowing Murdoch's friends and family to clean up the family's house before search warrants could be obtained.
08:34 - 18:15 (09:40)
listen on Spotify
SLED Murdoch case
Summary

Critics have slammed SLED for allowing Murdoch's friends and family to clean up the family's house before search warrants could be obtained. The solicitor's office is meant to provide guidance to ensure that law enforcement follows constitutional procedures and avoids missteps.

Episode
MMP #84: The Latest on Stephen Smith, SLED’s Investigation into the Murders and Russell Laffitte’s Future
Podcast
Murdaugh Murders Podcast
Defense claimed that Owen had lied about the presence of blood on the shirt but the dousing in chemicals caused a false negative in the Hematrace test.
18:15 - 24:19 (06:04)
listen on Spotify
False Negative, Hematrace Test
Summary

Defense claimed that Owen had lied about the presence of blood on the shirt but the dousing in chemicals caused a false negative in the Hematrace test.

Episode
MMP #84: The Latest on Stephen Smith, SLED’s Investigation into the Murders and Russell Laffitte’s Future
Podcast
Murdaugh Murders Podcast
Attorneys believe the judge's decision to allow in testimony about Ellick's financial crimes did more harm to Ellick's character than it did to provide an explanation of his motive, which they said was ludicrous and illogical.
24:19 - 36:03 (11:44)
listen on Spotify
Ellick's Sentencing
Summary

Attorneys believe the judge's decision to allow in testimony about Ellick's financial crimes did more harm to Ellick's character than it did to provide an explanation of his motive, which they said was ludicrous and illogical.

Episode
MMP #84: The Latest on Stephen Smith, SLED’s Investigation into the Murders and Russell Laffitte’s Future
Podcast
Murdaugh Murders Podcast
The involvement of an appellate team in post-trial relief interfered with Russell's trial team and irritated the judge sentencing him.
36:03 - 41:05 (05:01)
listen on Spotify
Legal Proceedings
Summary

The involvement of an appellate team in post-trial relief interfered with Russell's trial team and irritated the judge sentencing him. Russell's counsel, Bart Daniel and Matt Austin, later withdrew due to financial obligation concerns.

Episode
MMP #84: The Latest on Stephen Smith, SLED’s Investigation into the Murders and Russell Laffitte’s Future
Podcast
Murdaugh Murders Podcast
Legal strategies have been implemented in the Murdoch case where Russell’s legal strategy backfired when Ellick’s legal strategy ended up with him on the stand months before Russell’s sentencing day.
41:05 - 47:43 (06:38)
listen on Spotify
Legal Strategies
Summary

Legal strategies have been implemented in the Murdoch case where Russell’s legal strategy backfired when Ellick’s legal strategy ended up with him on the stand months before Russell’s sentencing day. Meanwhile, a second motion was filed by Russell's appellate team for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence of Mr. Lafitte's innocence.

Episode
MMP #84: The Latest on Stephen Smith, SLED’s Investigation into the Murders and Russell Laffitte’s Future
Podcast
Murdaugh Murders Podcast
The family of Steven Smith, who was murdered in South Carolina, is independently raising funds to find his killer and seek justice.
47:43 - 51:30 (03:47)
listen on Spotify
Justice
Summary

The family of Steven Smith, who was murdered in South Carolina, is independently raising funds to find his killer and seek justice. They are asking for the same level of dedication from law enforcement that went into solving a double homicide case.

Episode
MMP #84: The Latest on Stephen Smith, SLED’s Investigation into the Murders and Russell Laffitte’s Future
Podcast
Murdaugh Murders Podcast