Criminally Obsessed – "These 5 Murdaugh Prosecutors Can't Speak Now — But They Spoke With Us (Part 1)"

Original Air Date: March 23, 2026
Host: Anne Emerson
Main Theme:
An in-depth, behind-the-scenes interview with members of the South Carolina prosecution team responsible for convicting Alex Murdaugh of murdering his wife and son. This episode, recorded just after sentencing (March 2021), explores the intricacies of developing a historic case, navigating unique challenges, and the personal journeys of the team—now reflecting with the benefit of hindsight as a major appeal looms.

Episode Overview

Anne Emerson leverages her extensive Murdoch case reporting credentials to revisit a rare two-hour interview with the prosecution team. The prosecutors cannot speak currently, as the South Carolina Supreme Court considers Murdaugh’s appeal, but in this exclusive conversation, they candidly detail:

• The initial assignment and unique structure of the case
• Key turning points in the investigation and trial
• Internal team dynamics and individual contributions
• Strategic decisions about evidence, venue, and the death penalty
• Reflections on high-profile scrutiny, post-trial insights, and the meaning of justice

Key Discussion Points

Opening Reflections – The Trial's Significance

• Vindication & Doubt Overcome
  • [01:46] “The biggest compliment is the number of people in this community who didn’t think conviction was possible.… Calls there were two justice systems, and this team played a role in changing that. To me, that was vindication.” (Attorney General)
• Emotional Relief Post-Verdict
  • [02:13] “Biggest relief was knowing I didn’t put all these folks through a ton of work for nothing... It’s better to be sitting here now.” (Creighton Waters)

Taking the Case – Assignment & Early Developments

• Getting the Case

  • [03:22] “From June 7th to August 11th, we were hands-off, waiting for the investigation to unfold naturally. Only then did we get the call from Solicitor Stone to take over.” (Attorney General)

• The ‘Side of the Road’ Shooting as a Turning Point

  • [04:13] Host explains: “Alec Murdoch had his cousin shoot him so his son Buster would get a life insurance payout.”

• Complex, Converging Investigations

  • [04:26] “Our first thought was, ‘something more is going on here.’ As we started to investigate, things started to converge together.” (Creighton Waters)

The Role of the Attorney General's Office

• Questioning the Office’s Suitability

  • [04:57] “People were well-intentioned but said to give this to a local solicitor… I took offense. We have slammed the door on the idea that the AG’s office can’t handle high-profile murders.” (Attorney General)

• Handling Complexity

  • [05:42] “We do high-profile stuff all the time... This was unique, but we were born to do it.” (Waters)

Financial Crimes’ Interplay & Strategic Evidence Decisions

• Statewide Grand Jury Tools

  • [06:48] “These things all relate... insane amount of pressures converging on June 7th.” (Waters)
  • [07:54] “If this was a series of movies, June 7th is the sequel—you have to see the first movie [financial crimes] to understand the context of the story.” (Attorney General)

• Witness Reluctance

  • [08:27] “People were very reluctant—they didn’t want to take on this family ...I had to promise, ‘You won’t be alone, but I can’t promise you anonymity.’” (Waters)

Inside the Team: Building and Assigning Roles

• Team Structure: WWII Analogy

  • [10:02] “If this were D-Day, I’d be FDR, he’d be Eisenhower. I approved the case, then handed it to Creighton to storm the beaches.” (Attorney General)

• Celebrating Individual Roles

  • [12:26] “Savannah is a pit bull on the crime scene... David is my most important voice... John—a technical and timeline genius, a Top Gun ‘Goose’… Johnny James is my white-collar guru.” (Waters)
  • [14:49] “John [Meadows] was a 5-star recruit I’d wanted for years—a late addition, but vital.” (Attorney General)

• Notable Quote:

  • [16:13] “The staff, the investigators helped me up to date, and justice was served in this case. It’s an honor to be a part of it.” (John Meadows)

Key Evidence & Charging Decisions

• Kennel Video as a Breakthrough

  • [17:00] “Kennel video was found in April... Chief Keel presented their theory... I did a 40-slide PowerPoint for the command staff and said, ‘We think it’s time to go.’” (Waters)

• Circumstantial Case & Death Penalty Decision

  • [18:22] “I don’t distinguish between circumstantial or direct evidence… But this was heavily circumstantial. Sometimes life without parole is a worse punishment than death. Also, we had to consider the victim impact—this family was both victim and supporter.” (Attorney General)

  • [19:42] “Death penalty would’ve doubled trial length, made jury selection even harder. Ultimately, we wanted to make sure he never left prison again.” (Waters)

Financial Crimes as Motive—Legal and Strategic Hurdles

• Allowing Financial Crimes Evidence

  • [21:09] “We filed a motion early on. Judge Newman is the gold standard—this is a unique case. No way to tell the story of the boat case or Ferris fees without understanding the financial context.” (Waters)

• Reflecting on the Supreme Court Appeal

  • [22:32] Host explains: “This is one of two reasons the Supreme Court granted appeal—arguing the financial crimes evidence went too far.”

• Walk Fine Line with Evidence

  • [24:01] “We walked a fine line showing enough for the jury to understand the situation, without gilding the lily.” (Waters)

• Public Perception vs. Reality

  • [25:01] “People want the trial delivered like a bacon cheeseburger. They don’t want to see the cow and pig butchered. Trials are messy—jurors latch on to different things.” (Attorney General)

Emotional and Tactical Experience of the Trial

• Unpredictability and Pressure

  • [28:01] “We called it the Super Bowl. Prepare for everything, but things happen—fumbles and interceptions. I never had a moment of rest… Every day, present the evidence, and hope the point lands.” (Waters)

• Prepared for Every Eventuality

  • [29:30] “We mapped out every possibility. If the judge ruled against us, we’d adapt.” (Meadows)

Life Without Parole, Three Strikes, and Victims’ Rights

• Three Strikes Law

  • [30:26] “Breach of trust over $10,000 is a strike. If not used here, when would it be? Aside from the murders, this is unparalleled abuse of trust.” (Waters)

  • [31:35] “Every victim deserves their day in court. Even if he’s in for life, other victims get their shot.” (Attorney General)

• Appeal Proofing

  • [31:35] “As a matter of strategy, we expect the appeal. Having additional convictions would insulate the case.”

Notable Courtroom Moments & Rebuttal Witness

• Attorney General Takes the Lead on a Key Witness

  • [36:20] “I was there to put my neck on the line with the team, not as AG but as another lawyer.” (Attorney General)
  • [39:00] “I took very detailed notes and re-watched the examinations… able to come up with the idea of how we’d tear apart the defense theory—do the gun in the doorway.” (Attorney General)

• Powerful Cross of Dr. Kenny Kinsey

  • [39:04 – 39:24] AG leads Kinsey through a demonstration dismantling defense “height” theory:
  • [39:11] "Here I’m even over 7 foot and I’ve still got the same angle…a 5’4” or 6’4” person could make that shot."
  • [40:19] "That’s a flawed opinion." (Dr. Kinsey on defense expert)

• Team Spirit and Leadership

  • [40:42] “My daughter was in the audience but I didn’t plan on being up—that was just timing.” (Attorney General)
  • [40:47] “He never tried to take over the room. I got to be boss of the boss for a while.” (Waters)

The Human Side of the High-Profile Trial

• Courtroom Camaraderie

  • [44:14] “It became like a family environment. You’d see us being combative in court, but then break and talk about family, real life. It was honestly kind of sad when it ended… a once in a lifetime experience.” (Attorney General)

• Becky Hill, Clerk of Court

  • [45:32] Host notes: “Hindsight is 20/20—since then, former clerk Becky Hill pleaded guilty to perjury and misconduct.”

Legacy, Public Trust, and the Meaning of Justice

• No One Above the Law

  • [46:20] “This showed not just the state but the world no one is above the law. Maybe it renewed faith that no matter who you are, the law applies. I’ve never been prouder to be Attorney General.” (Attorney General)

• Opportunity and Public Service

  • [47:31] “There’s no place like the Attorney General’s office… Sky’s the limit here if you want to make a difference.” (Waters)
  • [48:28] “If you’re a confident, capable lawyer, we have a job for you. We’ll put a file in your hand and send you into court.” (Attorney General, tongue-in-cheek)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We just deliver the facts.” (Waters, multiple times)
• “Sometimes, life without parole is a worse punishment than death.” ([18:22] Attorney General)
• “People want the trial delivered like a bacon cheeseburger. They don’t want to see the cow and the pig butchered.” ([25:01] Attorney General)
• “Once they get the case, the die is cast—we had to put this information in.” ([25:01] Attorney General)
• “Every victim deserves their day in court. He’s irrelevant to their lives or their family’s lives.” ([31:35] Attorney General)
• “If not used here, when would it be?” ([30:26] Waters, about three strikes law and Murdaugh)
• “No one is above the law. No matter what your station in life is…” ([46:20] Attorney General)

Important Timestamps

• [01:46] – Team’s sense of vindication after the verdict
• [03:22] – Assignment of the case and how/why the AG’s office got involved
• [06:48] – Statewide grand jury’s role explained
• [10:02] – WWII leadership analogy and team-building
• [17:00] – Key moment: decision to indict after key evidence found
• [18:22] – Debating the death penalty
• [21:09] – Strategic inclusion of financial crimes evidence
• [28:01] – Describing the extreme pressure and unpredictability of trial
• [30:26] – Committing to three strikes and continued prosecution for victims
• [36:20] – AG describes taking a direct role at a critical moment in court
• [39:04-39:24] – AG’s cross of Dr. Kinsey rebuts defense expert
• [44:14] – Describing courtroom’s “family” atmosphere
• [46:20] – AG reflects on restoring public’s faith in justice

Tone and Language

Authentic, earnest, and often humble—prosecutors use sports, WWII, and food metaphors to make points approachable. While technical on legal nuances, there’s warmth and pride in teamwork, along with honest acknowledgment of stress, doubts, and the personal stakes.

Conclusion

This episode is an invaluable portrait of both the logistics and humanity behind the Murdaugh prosecution. It brings rare candor on prosecutorial decision making, morale, and strategy in a national spectacle—and resonates even more as the conviction’s future hangs in the balance.

For listeners or readers wanting an inside view—the motivations, evidence wrangling, and dynamics shaping a historic trial—this episode is essential, weaving the big legal themes with the granular, rarely-heard personal narrative of South Carolina’s prosecution team.