The trial of Alex Murdaugh has captivated the nation, with many questions lingering about the events that transpired on the night Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were tragically killed. While the prosecution presented a compelling case, a closer examination of the timeline, speed, distance, and relative velocity suggests that it may have been impossible for Alex Murdaugh to have committed these murders. When factoring in Alex’s physical condition, the timing becomes even more improbable.
The Timeline: A Race Against Time
According to the prosecution’s narrative, Alex Murdaugh killed his son, Paul, inside the feed room, before immediately turning his attention to Maggie, who was just inside the hangar when she heard the first shot and likely Paul’s scream. Maggie ran approximately 30 feet (about 12 steps) toward Paul, only to be shot and killed within 5-6 seconds.
Here’s where the timeline becomes critical:
- Paul’s Murder: The shooter needed 5-6 seconds to fire two shots at Paul—one inside the feed room and one at the doorstep. The precision and speed required to execute this in a mere few seconds suggest a highly coordinated effort.
- Maggie’s Murder: At the same time, Maggie was running toward the scene. According to forensic evidence, she was shot at close range, with gun stippling found on her body. For Alex to have been the shooter, he would have had to drop the 12-gauge shotgun used on Paul, pick up the .300 Blackout rifle, and run at an angle of 41 degrees to shoot Maggie—all within 5-6 seconds.
This timeline gives Alex only 12-15 seconds to complete this series of actions.
The Physics of Relative Velocity
Relative velocity is the velocity of an object as observed from a particular reference frame. In this case, the reference frame is the time and distance required for Alex Murdaugh to transition from shooting Paul to shooting Maggie. Given the physical evidence, this is where the prosecution’s theory starts to unravel.
- Distance: The distance Maggie covered before being shot was approximately 30 feet. For Alex to have shot Paul, dropped the 12-gauge, picked up the .300 Blackout, and run 41 degrees toward Maggie’s position within 5-6 seconds is highly implausible. The relative velocity required for Alex to complete these actions, given the time constraints, would be exceedingly high, and impossible for someone in that was in peak physical condition.
- Physical Condition: However, Alex Murdaugh was far from being in peak physical condition. He was overweight, had bad knees, and was reportedly high on opioids, which would have further impaired his speed, coordination, and reaction time. Additionally, his poor eyesight at night would have made it difficult to accurately shoot at Maggie, especially while running.
The Implausibility of the Prosecution’s Theory
Given the totality of evidence, the prosecution’s timeline requires Alex to perform a series of actions at a speed and precision that defies both physical limitations and the principles of relative velocity. The shooter would need to execute two murders with almost superhuman speed and coordination, all while dealing with significant physical impairments.
But there’s more. The fact that gun stippling was found on Maggie suggests that the shooter was already in close proximity to her when she was shot. If Alex had shot Paul first, it’s impossible he could have reached Maggie’s position in time to deliver the fatal shots, considering all the steps and actions he needed to take.
A Second Shooter?
The evidence suggests a more likely scenario: There was another individual already positioned near Maggie, acting as a lookout or second shooter. This person could have easily shot Maggie within the short time frame, while the first shooter was still dealing with Paul. The timing and positioning simply do not support the idea that Alex could have acted alone, if at all. Even SLED agent Melinda Worley said under oath in the trial, that two shooters was possible.
Conclusion: The Physics Don’t Add Up
When you break down the events of that tragic night into time, speed, distance, and relative velocity, it becomes clear that the prosecution’s narrative is physically implausible. Alex Murdaugh, with his physical limitations and the constraints of time, could not have feasibly killed both Maggie and Paul within the timeline presented.
The forensic evidence points to the involvement of at least one other person, and possibly more. The truth may lie in uncovering who else was there that night—someone who was able to perform these actions within the laws of physics, something Alex Murdaugh simply could not have done.
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