He denied, though, killing his wife and son at their family estate in 2021. Prosecutors allege Murdaugh killed his family in order to “generate sympathy and distract from an array of financial crimes for which he is also facing criminal charges.” The stunning development came when Murdaugh took the stand in his own defense and admitted to lying to the police due to paranoia and drug addiction. Until the admission, Murdaugh had maintained he was not at the crime scene shortly before the murders. However, video evidence entered earlier in the trial placed Murdaugh at the scene. In the video, Murdaugh is not seen but his voice is heard.