The person accused of taking pictures disgraced Hampton County lawyer Alex Murdaugh as a part of a failed life insurance coverage scheme was arrested June 24 by the Colleton County Sheriff’s Workplace.
Curtis Edward Smith, 61, is being held for the State Regulation Enforcement Division, in line with the Sheriff’s Workplace web site, which doesn’t embody the fees. A SLED spokesman referred inquiries to the state Lawyer Normal’s workplace, which declined to remark.
Smith was indicted in November for his position because the alleged hitman employed by Murdaugh as a part of a plot to obtain a life insurance coverage payout. He has been out on bond on prices of pointing and presenting a firearm, assisted suicide, and assault and battery of a excessive and aggravated nature.
Murdaugh referred to as 911 over the 2021 Labor Day weekend claiming he was shot within the head by a passing motorist whereas altering his automotive tire on Outdated Salkehatchie Street in Hampton County.
Later, he modified his story and mentioned he had a hitman shoot him within the head so he might depart behind a $10 million insurance coverage coverage for his remaining son, Buster.
Authorities say the previous lawyer was truly shot by his private drug vendor and former legislation shopper, Smith.
Smith has disputed Murdaugh’s variations of occasions, saying he refused the lawyer’s request to shoot him they usually wrestled over the gun that fired as soon as.
Murdaugh admitted to mendacity in September in regards to the roadside taking pictures. He additionally was indicted in November over the incident on conspiracy, false declare for fee and submitting a false police report prices.
Murdaugh, who’s jailed at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Middle in Columbia, stays the one identified particular person of curiosity in SLED’s investigation into the June 2021 killings of his spouse, Maggie, and son, Paul. Nobody has been arrested within the deaths.
The household killings and disputed roadside taking pictures led to investigations that generated almost 80 legal prices in opposition to Murdaugh, many tied to accusations over the now-suspended lawyer stealing thousands and thousands of {dollars} from shoppers. He additionally was named in nearly a dozen civil lawsuits.
Andy Shain contributed to this report from Columbia.
Attain John Ramsey at 843-906-9351. Observe him on Twitter @johnwramsey.
