The timeline surrounding the deaths of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh is a focal point in determining whether Alex Murdaugh could have been the sole shooter. Relative velocity plays a crucial role in piecing together the events of that tragic night, analyzing how quickly Alex could have moved between shooting Paul and Maggie, given the sequence of events described by the prosecution.
Relative Velocity and the Timeline
Relative velocity assesses how quickly someone can move from one location to another. In this case, it’s essential to determine whether Alex had enough time to shoot Paul with a pump-action shotgun, then move approximately 30 feet to where Maggie was shot, pick up a .300 Blackout rifle, and fire. Stippling on Maggie’s body indicates she was shot at close range, requiring the shooter to be within 3 to 5 feet of her.
Prosecution’s Opening Statement and Walkthrough of the Scene
During his opening statement, Creighton Waters stated that Maggie was in or near the hangar when Paul was shot. Based video of a physical walkthrough of the Moselle property, and Google Maps, it is estimated that Maggie moved about 12 steps, or approximately 30 feet, from the hangar to the spot where she died. This walk or slight run took about 4 to 5 seconds.She stopped using her phone forever at 8:49:31 PM on the night of June 7th, 2021.
For Alex to commit both shootings, he would have needed to:
- Shoot Paul Once: Fire a pump-action shotgun at Paul, possibly be surprised by Paul not immediately succumbing.
- Shoot Paul Again: Move nearer to the feed room, shoot Paul a second time, and confirm the kill.
- Drop the Shotgun and Pick Up the .300 Blackout: Discard the shotgun, grab the rifle.
- Run 30 Feet: Cover the distance to where Maggie was shot and get within 3 to 5 feet of her, based on stippling evidence, and then aim and fire.
Crime and Cask’s Reenactment of the Timing
Crime and Cask has attempted to replicate the timeline presented by the prosecution. Despite multiple attempts, we could never get to the spot where Maggie died fast enough. In every trial run, there wasn’t enough time for the shooter to move from shooting Paul to being in position to shoot Maggie before she would have reached the area near the kennels. This discrepancy highlights a significant issue with the prosecution’s theory.
Exploring the Two-Shooter Theory in the Murdaugh Murders
The two-shooter theory suggests that the shooters were positioned in the woods behind the hangar, with a clear view of the dog kennels. This theory posits that Paul Murdaugh locked his phone and put it in his back pocket at 8:49:01 p.m., creating a critical window of time for the shooters to act. Thirty seconds later, at 8:49:31 p.m., Maggie’s phone locked, possibly after she heard the first shot fired at Paul.
In this scenario, Shooter 1, who targeted Paul, would have initiated the sequence, while Shooter 2 may have been startled by Maggie’s reaction to the noise. As she likely ran toward the kennels after hearing the first shot, Shooter 2, reacting to her sudden movement, would have shot her just seconds after 8:49:31 p.m.
Timeline Breakdown:
- Positioning: Both shooters are in the woods, approximately a 10-second run from the feed room.
- Paul’s Phone Lock: Paul locks his phone at 8:49:01 p.m., indicating he was unaware of an imminent threat.
- First Shot: Shooter 1 fires at Paul, triggering Maggie’s reaction.
- Maggie’s Phone Lock: Maggie’s phone locks at 8:49:31 p.m., suggesting she might have been startled by the first shot.
- Shooter 2 Reacts: Seeing Maggie react, Shooter 2 fires, leading to her being shot just seconds later. Maggie is most likely shot just as Paul is shot a second time.
This theory supports the possibility of two individuals coordinating the attacks but being startled by each other’s movements and actions, leading to a rapid succession of events that resulted in both Paul and Maggie being shot within seconds of each other. The proximity and timing challenges of Alex Murdaugh moving between locations are bypassed under this theory, adding a layer of plausibility to the idea of multiple shooters.
Physical Limitations and Forensic Analysis
Several factors raise questions about Alex’s ability to carry out these actions in the timeline provided:
- Physical Health: Alex was reportedly overweight, with bad knees, and allegedly using up to 60 Oxycontin pills a day. These conditions would likely slow him down, making the rapid movements required to commit both murders less feasible.
- Timing: The defense argues that the prosecution never provided a detailed timeline, which may be because it would not align with the physical evidence. The need to act quickly under the influence of drugs and with physical limitations makes the prosecution’s scenario appear unlikely.
- Stippling Evidence: Dr. Kenny Kinsey testified that the shooter had to be within 3 to 5 feet of Maggie, indicating a close-range shooting. This requirement adds another layer of complexity, as it implies the shooter was already near Maggie before she dropped to the ground.
Two Shooter Theory
SLED Agent Worley mentioned the possibility of two shooters, which could align more logically with the physical evidence and timing. If there were two shooters, one could have shot Paul while the other was already positioned near Maggie, explaining how the shooter managed to get within close range so quickly. The reason the 2nd shooter would have been at that spot, it’s a clear spot from the woods and a clear view of the main house from the kennels where they’d be looking for Alex or Maggie.
In my view, the woods behind the hangar provided the easiest entry point to the dog kennels without being seen. The terrain actually drops about 4-5 feet below ground level of the dog kennels. Despite testimony suggesting the potential significance of this area, no investigation by SLED occurred there, nor did they look into the reported tire tracks seen by several officials. This oversight raises reasonable doubt about other possible killers. If someone hid a vehicle nearby, they could have easily accessed the area, retrieved weapons, and left unnoticed. Multiple killers are a plausible theory, as even SLED Agent Worley acknowledged its possibility, which introduces significant reasonable doubt. Additionally, the 59 steps Maggie’s phone took before it stopped align almost perfectly with the tire tracks seen in bodycam footage, emphasizing the potential connection.
Conclusion: A Matter of Time, Speed, and Distance
The concept of relative velocity highlights the challenges in the prosecution’s narrative. Considering physical limitations, drug use, and the need for rapid movements, the likelihood of Alex Murdaugh being able to shoot both Paul and Maggie in the manner described appears extremely slim. The timeline does not add up, making the theory of a single shooter less plausible and lending credibility to the two-shooter hypothesis. This perspective suggests that there might have been more individuals involved in the tragic events that unfolded that night.