A few weeks after disgraced South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of 1st-degree murder on Paul and Maddie Murdaugh, there is a renewed interest in the 2015 cold case murder of Stephen Smith. What initially was a deadly hit-and-run in Hampton County, South Carolina, wasn’t the case. The South Carolina investigators reopened the case in June 2021. Sandy Smith demands justice for his son, saying that the 8 years have been one rough road. Buster Murdaugh, a former classmate with Smith, opened up with NBC News after his father was indicted for the 2 murders.
Buster Murdaugh (initially named Richard) claimed he “denied” killing Smith. But in the Netflix Documentary, “Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal,” Smith’s death was one of 5 investigations tied to the Murdaugh family. There was even “gossip” from locals of an apparent “relationship.” But actually, that kinship turned out to be toxic. Though he hasn’t had a criminal record, he did voice his resentment, saying, “I have tried my best to ignore the vicious rumors about my involvement in Stephen Smith’s tragic death that continue to be published in the media as I grieve over the brutal murders of my mother and brother. I love them so much and miss them terribly. These baseless rumors of my involvement with Stephen and his death are false. I unequivocally deny involvement in his death, and my heart goes to the Smith family” (Today/NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt/Good Morning America*). As (Buster) Murdaugh continues to cope with family turmoil, Smith’s mother begs for answers on who is responsible for his son’s demise and why that person committed that murder. With over $80,665 donated on a GoFundMe page towards Smith’s independent unburial and autopsy, Joseph Scott Morgan (an associate professor of applied forensics at Jacksonville State University) warned about the loopholes in the examination, even on the remains. However, the judge must approve the autopsy before the procedure takes place.
Prosecutors mentioned that Smith’s death was ruled a homicide and a murder investigation. The Smith Family’s legal team and SLED (the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) confirmed it. (Sandy Smith) She said she had been waiting for that news, which was one in 8 years. She mentioned that his son didn’t deserve to die, Tommy Moore, the former Lieutenant of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, was of the few people who knew that Smith’s death wasn’t a hit-and-run. He was murdered and dropped on the road. The Smith family attorney said there was no need to exhume his body.
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Newstime with Sophia Melki 