Criminally Obsessed — Ep: "These 5 Murdaugh Prosecutors Can't Speak Now — But They Spoke With Us (Part 2)"

Date: March 24, 2026
Host: Anne Emerson

Overview: The Prosecutors' Inside Story of the Murdaugh Double Murder Trial

This packed episode offers a rare, intimate conversation with key members of the prosecution team behind the Alec Murdaugh double murder trial. Anne Emerson moderates a candid roundtable where Creighton Waters, John Meadows, David Fernandez, Savannah Goude, and others break down their investigative and courtroom strategies, reflect on the emotional weight of the case, detail key evidentiary moments, and discuss the family legacy, local politics, and justice system hurdles that defined this historic trial.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Speed & Mood of the Verdict

• Jury Deliberations: The verdict came back remarkably fast—under 3 hours after a marathon six-week trial.

• Jury Observation: Prosecutors discussed how attentively the jury watched the trial and how their engagement gave some confidence in the case being well received.

  "Watching that jury for six weeks, they were listening, and I mean really listening...When we got word they didn't want supper, you kind of knew at that point."
  — John Meadows [03:30]

• Superstitions & Nerves: Several prosecutors confessed to being highly superstitious and nerve-wracked waiting for the verdict, knocking on wood and processing "peak exhaustion."

  "We were two wood-knocking fools during all of this...it's really more nervous energy than anything else."
  — Creighton Waters [04:12]

Approach & Style in Courtroom Advocacy

• John Meadows's Movement & Presence: His highly mobile, close style with jurors—sometimes driving the TV cameras crazy—was highlighted.

  "I've told some lawyers over my life, you just got to be yourself. And so that's what I do. I just move, and I feel better when I move...Listening is so key for a lawyer."
  — John Meadows [07:02]

• Balancing Tough Cross & Compassion:

  • Handling witnesses who grew up with or loved Alec Murdaugh required empathy; pushing too hard risked alienating sympathetic witnesses.

  "These were witnesses who had grown up with Alec, Martha. These were almost like family. How did you know when it was going to be pushed too far?"
  — Ann Emerson [07:53]

The Emotional Testimonies & Manipulation of Witnesses

• Evidence and testimony from close staff and family were central, especially when Alec was perceived to be manipulating or leaning on their sympathy.

  "They did care about him. They did love him. But when Alex tried to manipulate them, I think that was obvious to the jury and I think that was important."
  — John Meadows [10:22]

Notable Testimony: Housekeeper Blanca

• Her recounting of a conversation where Alec possibly prompted her to recall him wearing a different shirt (critical for timelining) was highlighted.

  "In my mind I was saying, I don't remember Vinnie Vines shirt, it was the polo shirt...He said, well, you know what? I was wearing that shirt."
  — Shelly Ann Blanco [09:01]

On Alec Murdaugh Taking the Stand

• Strategy: The prosecution expected Alec to testify, believing he wouldn’t be able to resist trying to charm the jury.

  "We were always convinced he believed he was going to be able to do what he had done for so long: lean forward and look them in the eye and convince them of the latest thing."
  — Creighton Waters [11:06]

• Cross Examination: Waters’ approach was to let Alec talk, believing his need to over-explain would betray him.

  "I wanted the jury to see him perfect his lie and lie to them in real time...He would start talking again and then I'd be like, okay, let's talk about that, that's a new one."
  — Creighton Waters [13:50]

Body Language, Lies, and the "Family Annihilator"

• Body Language: Investigators and prosecutors relied on their instincts watching Alec, who gave off "way off" vibes from the start.

  "I had a discussion and said, I don’t like his body language. It's not just slightly off. It's way off."
  — Detective Jason Chapman via David [17:40]

• Limits of Expert Testimony: Prosecutors explained why they couldn’t bring in body language experts due to evidentiary rules—relying instead on common sense and jurors’ discernment.

• The "Family Annihilator" Archetype: Alec fit several thematic patterns: middle-aged, successful, facing financial ruin, family stress—leading into motive.

  "You look at motive, means, opportunity, guilty acts. He had all of those."
  — Creighton Waters [49:33]

Dissecting Alec’s Lies

• The team meticulously demonstrated that Alec lied to police before SLED arrived—directly contradicting his story about panicking only after SLED got involved.

  "He concocted that lie from the first second police were called. SLED wasn't called until hours later."
  — David [21:03]

  "The truth is easy to recite. The truth is easy to stick to. And the truth adds up when someone has to be questioned on the outer perimeters of it."
  — David [21:51]

The Kennel Video & Bubba the Dog: The Smoking Gun

• The prosecution reflected on how a serendipitous cell phone video—capturing Alec’s voice at the kennels within minutes of the murders, and his calling out to Bubba the dog—destroyed his alibi. The dog's behavior even factored into the analysis of how the crime unfolded.

  "If Bubba hadn’t barked and Alex hadn’t said his name, that was key... The kennel video kind of gets him."
  — John Meadows [42:34]

  "You hear Paul, Maggie, and Alec talking about Bubba. That was so pure and beautiful because nobody knew it was out there..."
  — John Meadows [43:32]

Forensic Challenges: Firearms, Shell Casings, and Overcoming Defense Experts

• Blackout Rifle Evidence: Detailed shell casing analysis helped link the murder weapon to the family, even as it was missing.
• Defense Expert vs. Common Sense: The defense’s 3D modeling suggested the killer was only 5’2", forcing the jury to engage directly with the evidence and visualizations. Prosecution countered with direct, hands-on demonstrations and expert witnesses who underscored common sense.

  "Even given all that, all it took was someone holding the gun slightly different or kneeling...It was absurd."
  — David [74:53]

Handling Local Politics & the Murdaugh Family Legacy

• The team addressed their (mostly distant) relationships to the Murdaughs, striving for "justice is blind" professionalism.

  "We have no friends to reward or enemies to punish...I was very proud to shine light on the rottenness that was going on."
  — David [33:59 & 35:22]

• The legacy of prosecutorial excellence and dealing with local sheriffs (e.g., previous successful prosecution of a sheriff for corruption) is woven through their own motivations.

Emotional Moments & Honoring Victims

• The most powerful, emotional witnesses were those close to Maggie and Paul whose heartbreak exposed the humanity lost, contrasted with Alec’s cold calculated lies.

  "Alex was the most powerful witness against Alex. But I think Shelly [Smith] and Marion [Proctor] were powerful...It was true emotion from her, and you couldn't...your heart...It was powerful."
  — David & John Meadows [63:22, 63:37]

• The prosecution provided victim support even to those in the family still sympathetic to Alec.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Strategy:

  "If you start thinking about hoisting the trophy in the fourth quarter, it'll get away from you."
  — Creighton Waters [04:44]

• On Lying:

  "This is a man who can look you in the eye and convincingly and effortlessly, hopelessly lie to you. And I think that they were able to see that for themselves."
  — Creighton Waters [16:41]

• On the Kennel Video & the Role of Bubba:

  "Thank God for Bubba, because if he hadn't barked, [Alec] wouldn't have said his name. That was key."
  — John Meadows [42:54]

• On Their Purpose:

  "Someone like that shouldn't be allowed to get away with what he did. And going after people like that is why we do what we do."
  — Savannah [30:56]

• On the Courtroom Process:

  "The defense, prosecution, Judge Newman...the process acquitted itself very well...The process worked."
  — Creighton Waters [57:39]

• On Justice and Community:

  "There's no better thing you can do with a law degree than try to make communities safer and bring justice."
  — Creighton Waters [41:03]

Important Timestamps

• Jury Verdict & Superstitions: [01:18]–[04:43]
• On Working the Jury & Witness Management: [06:15]–[08:49]
• Housekeeper/Blanca Testimony: [09:01]
• Alec’s Approach & Cross-Examination Strategy: [12:08]–[13:50]
• Body Language Discussion & Expert Limitations: [17:13]–[18:24]
• Alec’s Lies About Timeline/First Police Interview: [20:40]–[24:27]
• On Bubba & Kennel Video's Impact: [42:02]–[45:32]
• Analyzing Firearms Evidence: [51:03]–[54:44]
• Defense Expert Mike Sutton’s Testimony: [69:44]–[77:26]
• The Emotional Impact on the Prosecutors & Local Justice System: [30:10], [35:22], [55:25], [78:03]

Jury’s View & Legacy

• The episode closes with the team's reflection on their personal and professional pride, being part of dismantling an unfair power system in the 14th Circuit, and reaffirming the justice system’s resilience—anchored by the integrity of the trial judge and the relentless effort of the prosecution and investigative teams.
• Anne Emerson invites listeners to weigh in on the possibility of a successful appeal and who else they want to hear from in the Murdaugh saga.

For those who haven’t listened:
This episode provides compelling, inside-baseball insight into both the procedural and emotional sides of the Murdaugh trial, balancing technical details with courtroom drama, revealing the slow but methodical takedown of one of the South’s most infamous legal family legacies. The podcast brings out both clear-eyed legal strategy and genuine compassion for those forever changed by these crimes.