Accused double-murderer Alex Murdaugh took the stand Thursday, vehemently denying shooting his wife, 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh, and son, 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh, on June 7, 2021. Murdaugh, 54, is charged with murder in connection with their deaths and is facing life in prison if convicted. The trial began Monday in the Colleton County Superior Court in Walterboro, South Carolina.

Murdaugh admitted to lying to investigators following the murders and to stealing from his clients, but denied any involvement in the murders. He apologized for lying to authorities and explained that drug addiction and a distrust for South Carolina Law Enforcement Division led to his misleading statements.

Under questioning by his defense team, Murdaugh testified that on the day of the shooting, he spent some time on his family’s property in Colleton County with Paul before