Moment Murdaugh bursts out laughing as the family caretaker testifies

Moment Murdaugh bursts out laughing as the family caretaker testifies at the double murder trial

Alex Murdaugh burst out laughing today as his family’s caretaker testified at his double murder trial.

Roger Dale Davis told jurors he cleaned the kennels the day Maggie, 52, and Paul, 22, were killed on June 7, 2021 at the South Carolina Lowcountry hunting property.

Davis sparked laughter in court as he described going home that evening and lying in his lounge chair for the rest of the night, as he normally would. The prosecutor asked: “And the day is over?”

“Done,” Davis replied emphatically, triggering a giggle, including from Alex, 54, who had been sobbing into a handkerchief Tuesday morning as the jury heard the pathologist’s gruesome testimony about the horrific injuries Maggie and Paul had suffered.

The caretaker previously told the court how he once shot an injured dog out of “mercy” because the rightful offspring couldn’t bring themselves to do so.

Alex Murdaugh smiles at part of the testimony of Roger Dale Davis, who was caring for the dogs at Murdaugh's home during his double murder trial Tuesday at the Colleton County Courthouse

Alex Murdaugh smiles at part of the testimony of Roger Dale Davis, who was caring for the dogs at Murdaugh’s home during his double murder trial Tuesday at the Colleton County Courthouse

Murdaugh sobbed into a handkerchief earlier Tuesday as the jury heard gruesome statements from the pathologist about the horrific injuries Maggie and Paul sustained

Murdaugh sobbed into a handkerchief earlier Tuesday as the jury heard gruesome statements from the pathologist about the horrific injuries Maggie and Paul sustained

Davis sparked laughter in court as he said how he went home that evening and lay in his lounge chair for the rest of the night, as he normally would.  The prosecutor asked:

Davis sparked laughter in court as he said how he went home that evening and lay in his lounge chair for the rest of the night, as he normally would. The prosecutor asked: “And the day is over?” “Done,” Davis replied firmly

The state alleges Murdaugh killed his wife and son to distract from his financial crimes. He embezzled millions from his law firm and faced a lawsuit over his son Paul’s drunk boating accident.

Murdaugh pleaded not guilty in June, and the defense argued her client was a “loving” husband and father who could never have committed such a gruesome crime.

Much of Davis’ testimony focused on his usual cleaning routine in the kennels. He was shown photos of the crime scene and looked at the hose, which he said he would never have left like this.

The jury heard evidence that Paul and Maggie’s bodies were saturated with water and blood when police arrived – although it hadn’t rained yet.

On the day of the murders, Davis said he cleaned the kennels in the afternoon before leaving at 4:30 p.m.

The prosecutor showed him photos of the crime scene that night, including puddles of water on the kennel floor and the hose.

Davis testified that he never exited the hose as shown in the photos.

He also said that since the kennels hadn’t collected water since he cleaned them, someone else must have hosed them down again.

However, the suggestion that Murdaugh had used the hose after the shootings was quashed by defense attorney Jim Griffin.

He played a video taken by Paul in the kennel at around 8:45 p.m. showing the hose not being put away in the orderly manner Davis described.

When asked about the footage by prosecutors, Davis confirmed that he could hear Alex, Paul, and Maggie’s voices in the background.

Alex had previously claimed he was never at the kennel that night and only got there after Maggie and Paul were killed.

The prosecutor showed him photos of the crime scene that night, including puddles of water on the kennel floor and the hose.  Davis testified that he never exited the hose as shown in the photos.  He also said that since the kennels hadn't collected water since he cleaned them, someone else must have hosed them down again

The prosecutor showed him photos of the crime scene that night, including puddles of water on the kennel floor and the hose. Davis testified that he never exited the hose as shown in the photos. He also said that since the kennels hadn’t collected water since he cleaned them, someone else must have hosed them down again

Puddles of water at the crime scene, which Davis said could not have come from when he hosed down the kennels around 4 p.m. that day.  Police showed up at the property after 10 p.m

Puddles of water at the crime scene, which Davis said could not have come from when he hosed down the kennels around 4 p.m. that day. Police showed up at the property after 10 p.m

Davis testified that he got to know the Murdaughs well during his time on the estate.

He described Maggie as “so relaxed” and that they often chatted about the dogs.

Davis described Paul as “a little bit wild and crazy” but that he would work in the country and “do anything his daddy asked him to do.”

He said Alex isn’t around much, he’s often at work, but he’s found he can be “very specific” when it comes to how things should get done.

Davis described the Murdaughs’ relationship as “lovey-dovey”.

“I have never seen this man raise his voice to his wife and children,” he said. “Anything they or the boys wanted, he would try to get them.”

Murdaugh enjoyed spending time hunting and drinking beer with Paul, Davis said.

The caretaker said he doesn’t see Buster that often, but he always seemed kind to his father.

Buster, Maggie, Paul and Alex Murdaugh.  Buster was staying with his girlfriend near Charlotte at the time of the murders

Buster, Maggie, Paul and Alex Murdaugh. Buster was staying with his girlfriend near Charlotte at the time of the murders

Buster arrives in court Tuesday with his girlfriend Brooklynn White (pink shirt) and Alex's sister Lynn behind him

Buster arrives in court Tuesday with his girlfriend Brooklynn White (pink shirt) and Alex’s sister Lynn behind him

SCHEDULE: NIGHT OF THE KILLS

Alex Murdaugh, 54, is accused of shooting dead his wife Maggie, 52, and younger son Paul, 22, on the night of June 7, 2021 at the family’s hunting property in Islandton, South Carolina.

Here are the key events in the timeline established by the prosecution:

At 7.56pm, Paul sent a Snapchat video to friends showing the 22-year-old driving around the property with his father.

At 8:15 p.m., Murdaugh’s wife, Maggie, came home and the trio had dinner together. Autopsies showed similar stomach contents for Maggie and Paul.

Around 8:30 p.m., Paul’s phone moves in the direction of the kennel.

Then, at 8.44pm, a second video taken by Paul in the kennel – soon to lead to a murder scene – allegedly proves Maggie, Paul and Alex were together.

At 8:49 p.m., prosecutors say Paul’s phone was locked and forever silent, never to text again or make another call.

Between 9pm and 9.30pm, Paul and Maggie were killed – according to the coroner.

At 9:06 p.m., Murdaugh’s car is set on fire.

The alleged killer said he was visiting his mother in Almeda, about 15 minutes’ drive away, who has late-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

At 10:07 p.m., Murdaugh called 911 and claimed he got home to find his wife and son shot.