Brutality detailed in Alex Murdaugh case; 2 jurors get COVID

A pathologist detailed the close range shots that killed Alex Murdaugh's wife and son as prosecutors on Monday started winding up their case in the South Carolina attorney's double murder trial.

But the future of the trial could be in jeopardy. Two jurors were dismissed Monday morning after contracting COVID-19, leaving just three alternates available as the trial's fourth week started. Both sides suggested delaying the trial in case the coronavirus might be spreading though the jury and others in court, but Judge Clifton Newman decided to continue.

“At the moment, we are going to encourage everyone here to mask up for your own protection as well as the protection of these proceedings and each other,” Newman told the courtroom, which has been packed with more than 200 people for the past two weeks.

Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murdering his wife, 52-year-old Maggie, and their 22-yearold son Paul near kennels at the family's Colleton County home on June 7, 2021. Prosecutors have said he killed his family in order to buy time to cover up other crimes for which he is accused, including stealing money from clients and insurance fraud.

Alex Murdaugh has adamantly denied killing his wife and son.

Pathologist Dr. Ellen Riemer gave some of the most graphic testimony of the trial as she detailed what she found during the autopsies of the victims.

Paul Mudaugh was shot twice with a shotgun. The first wound skirted his chest with pellets. The second shot was to his head and was so violent it left his skull nearly empty, Riemer said.

Maggie Murdaugh was hit by four or five bullets. The first two wounds happened as she faced the shooter and weren't fatal, but a bullet did hit her kidney, the pathologist said.