Alex Murdaugh says there were times he took 60 pills in one day
Alex Murdaugh discussed in some detail Friday his drug use, telling the court that there were days when he would take more than 60 pills a day.
Murdaugh, who is on trial for the murder of his wife and son, said in the beginning Oxycodone made him sick but “as I took more and more and over the years, you build up a tolerance to pain pills … opioids gave me energy. “
“Whatever I was doing made it more interesting,” he said.
As prosecutor Creighton Waters continued his line of questioning, Murdaugh said there were times he would “immediately” take pills when he woke up and would continue taking them throughout the day.
Murdaugh is dominating the cross-examination so far
Within the first 30 minutes of questioning, the jury has already seen Murdaugh take over this cross-examination.
The prosecution is trying to emphasize to the jury that he’s the type of person who can look someone in the eye and lie, but he has maintained tight control over the dialogue, often giving long, run-on answers without interruption.
Opiates gave me energy, Murdaugh says.
The state has asked Murdaugh about how he was functioning as a lawyer while dealing with his drug addiction.
“I was taking so much just not to backslide or go into withdrawals,” Murdaugh testified.
Questioning on Murdaugh’s financial crimes continues
Prosecutor Creighton Waters began the morning asking Murdaugh about the timeline of his fraudulent financial activity. The state has suggested he was desperate for funds and in a financially precarious spot leading up to the Jun. To install 7 murders.
Waters has also pressed Murdaugh on saying the names of the clients he defrauded.
“These were real people that you looked in the eye and convinced them that everything was right,” Waters said.
Murdaugh has repeated various versions of an apologetic admission of stealing money from clients, whom he considered close friends and cared about.
“There’s all kind of things that do, you know, to be able to look yourself in the mirror. You lie to yourself, I guess self-justification for these bad things,” he testified.
Court will resume shortly
Court will resume at approximately 9:30 am ET with the state continuing its cross-examination of Murdaugh.
How things ended yesterday
The state spent yesterday afternoon walking the jury through Murdaugh’s extensive legal background, how he may have misrepresented himself as law enforcement to gain advantages and his alleged financial crimes.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution has argued that Murdaugh is a deeply dishonest and deceptive person. Still, the examination of his past misconduct, particularly the focus on his alleged financial fraud, has not yet been connected to the double murder charges.
Court will resume at 9:30 am ET today.
