Several media companies and a local journalist named in a defamation lawsuit by Buster Murdaugh have filed for the case to be moved to federal court. The lawsuit stems from allegations linking Murdaugh to the death of his former classmate, Stephen Smith, a case that has generated national attention.
Buster Murdaugh, the surviving son of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh, is suing Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and others for defamation, asserting that they falsely implied he was involved in Stephen Smith’s 2015 death. Smith’s body was found on a rural road in Hampton County, South Carolina, under circumstances initially ruled as a hit-and-run. However, in 2021, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reopened the investigation into Smith’s death, coinciding with their probe into the murders of Buster’s mother, Maggie, and brother, Paul — crimes for which his father, Alex Murdaugh, has been convicted. Some have alleged that the deaths of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were to silence Paul on information he knew about the Stephen Smith case, and that Maggie was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The media companies argue that the case should be moved to federal court due to their operations being based outside of Hampton County, where the lawsuit was originally filed. The only exception is Michael DeWitt, the editor of the Hampton County Guardian and author of The Fall of the House of Murdaugh. DeWitt is also named in the lawsuit.
The defendants contend that DeWitt has been included as a “sham defendant,” solely to keep the case within Hampton County, Buster Murdaugh’s hometown, where he may have a more favorable outcome. According to the notice of removal filed by the media companies, this tactic is intended to give Buster the advantage of home-court jurisdiction.
The Stephen Smith case, which has long been shrouded in mystery, remains unresolved. While SLED has yet to name any suspects, but does have persons of interest, the Murdaugh family’s connection to the investigation has been the subject of widespread speculation, especially following the dramatic downfall of Alex Murdaugh.
With Buster Murdaugh’s lawsuit now potentially headed to federal court, the media’s portrayal of the Murdaugh family and the role of high-profile documentaries in shaping public perception will be under intense legal scrutiny.
Crime and Cask wrote a book about the Alex Murdaugh case called, Defending Alex Murdaugh. His 2nd book was also just released, ghostwritten for author Myra Crosby called Because Enough is Enough. The book covers the Murdaugh trial from the juror’s perspective, as well as her alleged jury tampering charges. Crime and Cask will continue to provide updates on this lawsuit, which not only delves into the ongoing saga of the Murdaugh family but also raises significant questions about the power of media narratives in high-profile criminal cases.
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