True Sunlight

Alex Murdaugh’s double-murder trial is set to begin amid new revelations about the “tombstone buddies” who have enabled his behavior throughout the years. Who are these friends and what secrets have they been keeping for the son of one of South Carolina’s most powerful families? Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell are putting together all the pieces and once again have found themselves looking at two dis...

Murdaugh Murders Podcast hosts Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and everyone’s favorite attorney Eric Bland discuss the latest in lead-up to one of the biggest trials in South Carolina history — the State v. Alex Murdaugh. Is the State prepared to handle the defense? Will jurors be put in a no-win situation? And is Alex using stolen money to pay his attorneys? Plus, a settlement with Buster Murdaugh and...

After nearly four years, a major update has been announced in the boat crash case — Buster Murdaugh has settled with the family of Mallory Beach and three of the survivors of the crash in a multimillion-dollar agreement. Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell take a look at all the details contained in an extensive joint settlement filed in Circuit Court this week that includes John Marvin Murdaugh, the est...

Dick, Jim and Alex get fact-checked when prosecutor Creighton Waters files a post-Christmas no-holds-barred response to their latest memo, revealing new information about what went on in the days leading up to Maggie’s and Paul’s murders. Judge Clifton Newman issues an order to protect the identity of the jury pool. Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down the latest in the Murdaugh murders case an...

In the second of a two-part episode, Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and everyone’s favorite attorney Eric Bland talk about the ongoing rumor that Maggie Murdaugh had consulted a divorce attorney before her murder, what part of the financial crimes Judge Newman might allow into evidence and why PMPED’s confrontation of Alex Murdaugh on the day of the murders stayed a secret for so long. Enjoy the show a...

In this first part of a two-part episode, Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and everyone’s favorite attorney Eric Bland talk about the suspicious circumstances surrounding Alex Murdaugh’s one big case as a lead prosecutor; the untouchable “retired” judges who are reluctant to give up the power (and money) that come with the black robes; and the time Eric had to go to Circuit City to buy something to place...

In the 15 years he volunteered at the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Alex Murdaugh prosecuted exactly one case — that of an accused Colleton County drug dealer. It ended with a hung jury. Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell get to the bottom of what went down at the very strange trial of Emmanuel Buckner and try to figure out what role drug-trafficking might be playing in the missing Murdaugh money. To...

For better or worse, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and Dick and Jim have given us even more insight into the events that might have led to Maggie and Paul Murdaugh’s murders and the evidence that investigators say proves Alex Murdaugh is their killer. Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell break down the most startling revelations from Alex’s latest hearing and take a look at a case that Dick...

 After hosting another spirited live-chat of Alex Murdaugh’s latest pretrial hearing in the double-murder case, Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland break down the most interesting — and most irritating — moments of Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin’s efforts to shape the narrative surrounding the state’s evidence against Alex. In the meantime, an unshackled Alex had a good old time for himself...

Of all the lawsuits filed against Alex Murdaugh, only one has dared to take on his former law partners at PMPED. Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell take a look into the Manuel Santis-Cristiani case and, as usual, find themselves confronted with more strange coincidences and shady boots circumstances. Who is the mysterious Blanca Simpson? Why is PMPED fighting so hard to get the case dismissed? And what...

On this 70th episode, Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell critically examine the three latest documents filed by Alex Murdaugh’s defense team, 1) Alex's notice of alibi defense 2) A 95 page motion to compel the state to produce details on the DNA analysis and spatter evidence 3) Another 1- page motion to compel the state to produce more details on the same evidence. While pulling threads on the latest re...

The Murdaugh Murders Podcast team saw its first major legal victory this week. After a tense deliberation, a jury found former Palmetto State Bank CEO Russell Laffitte guilty of all charges late Tuesday night for his role in conspiring to steal money from clients of Alex Murdaugh. Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell talk to attorneys Justin Bamberg and Eric Bland to get their thoughts on the dramatic tri...

Russell Laffitte finally takes the stand, admitting that he “unintentionally” stole money on behalf of Alex Murdaugh. Will Russell’s insistence that Alex tricked him resonate with the jury? Did Russell’s father and sister just implicate themselves in federal crimes while trying to defend Russell? Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland are together again to talk about one of the craziest trials t...

Mandy and Liz are live and on the scene in Charleston for week two of the Russell Laffitte trial. Laffitte is charged with six federal counts and faces more than 100 years in prison for alleged crimes related to Alex Murdaugh. The trial has been shocking and Liz and Mandy walk you through every stunning detail – including new details in the double homicide of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. Plus, a new...

Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland meet up in Charleston to share their thoughts on who the winners and losers are so far in Russell Laffitte’s federal trial. They also check in with South Carolina Rep. Justin Bamberg — who is fresh off his re-election victory — to talk about Russell’s bizarre decision to proclaim his innocence on YouTube three days before his trial began. Russell TV aka Rus...

Mandy and Liz are live and on the scene in Charleston, SC for the highly dramatic federal trial of Alex Murdaugh’s alleged co-conspirator Russell Laffitte, where one of the biggest bombshells in the double-homicide case was revealed. Stay tuned for another Cup of Justice Episode with Eric Bland later this week where we dive deeper into the legal strategy and more. Listen to episode 56 for Alania P...

Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland get real about the dark world of true-crime documentaries in light of the new HBO Max series focused on this sordid saga and what it’s like when Hollywood descends on your neck of the woods.  Plus our hosts ponder some recent inactions and actions surrounding Judge Carmen Mullen and Russel Laffitte respectively. In other BIG NEWS! since publishing this epis...

With fewer than 90 days left before Alex Murdaugh’s double-murder trial, we take a look at all the evidence we suspected, but now know to exist in the case. Also, Mandy and Liz take another look at a fiery two-hour pre-trial hearing last month where Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin did their best to throw doubt on the state’s case, but Creighton held his own and Judge Newman kept the peace. SUNscr...

Could Judge Carmen Mullen's interference in a police matter have led to kidnapping charges? Why is Alex Murdaugh waiving his right to appear at all future pre-trial hearings in his murder case? And what was the “actual” reason Dick and Jim wanted to have that latest hearing? There’s a war coming and Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland are getting ready. Join them as they discuss what’s happen...

Last week we revealed that 14th Circuit Judge Carmen Mullen — who has been a key figure in the Murdaugh world — tried to create a crime and orchestrate the arrest of a man with psychiatric vulnerabilities in her neighborhood five years ago. This week, we have the recordings showing what she did — and her behavior is far worse than it sounded on paper. Once again, Mandy and Liz take on the judicial...

Mandy Matney took a moment to chat with Liz Farrell and Eric Bland to review a few legal maneuvers from the Murdaugh camp. Plus the team discusses a bombshell police report that alleges Carmen Mullen (spelled “Judge Mullins” in the report) injected herself into a neighborhood dispute and attempted to use her judicial position to incarcerate one of the parties without legal authority. Thanks to qui...

Before the wedding this weekend, Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and Eric Bland took a moment to discuss the big surprise that Russell Laffitte dropped on Palmetto State Bank last week — that he has recordings proving the bank’s board was aware of what he was doing. Does this mean Russell secretly suspected he was being set up as the fall guy? How many more recordings does he have? Could Russell Laffitt...

In this episode Mandy and Liz dive deeper into the Arthur Badger case and share how Russell Laffitte, Alex Murdaugh and potentially others allegedly aimed to reap benefits from the Badger family’s unimaginable tragedy. Despite how egregious it is and despite how much it has exposed the underworld of Alex Murdaugh, these circumstances deserve a more critical examination than they’ve received thus f...

As we reported in MMP this week, the Judge Hall reversed his earlier order that basically split the "boat crash" case in two and allowed the Murdaughs to indefinitely postpone that trial so Alex could prepare for his speedy murder trial. The Attorney General’s Office told us the murder case still hasn’t been scheduled.  While we wait for those crucial announcements, Mandy Matney, Liz Farrell and E...

Recent revelations and legal filings have us wondering if investigators are maintaining the momentum needed to hold all of Alex Murdaugh’s alleged conspirators accountable. Or are they taking a page from the Good Ole Boys handbook and hoping that one man’s punishment will get the public to shut up and move on? Mandy and Liz share their take on journalistic ethics as it pertains to victims, dive de...