Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC's Brianna Shaw Discusses Murdaugh Trial Verdict on CTV

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 23, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Ms. Brianna Shaw, a defense attorney with the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC, discussed the Murdaugh trial verdict on CTV during International Women's History Month. Ms. Shaw gave the interview after the guilty verdict came down in the case.

The trial dealt with the case of Richard Alexander (Alex) Murdaugh, a former lawyer accused of murdering his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and his son, Paul Murdaugh. The murders occurred on June 7, 2021, in South Carolina.

The case took place in the fourteenth circuit of the South Carolina Circuit Court, starting on January 25th, 2023. The case took a little over a month, ending on March 2nd, 2023. The jury found Murdaugh guilty on all counts. Ms. Shaw discussed the verdict with CTV.

The Murdaugh Case and International News

Many in the local South Carolina media referred to the Murdaugh case as the trial of the century of the state, referring to it as sensational and high-profile. In addition, the murders of Mrs. Murdaugh and 22-year-old Paul became a subject on international news stations, including CTV.

CTV - or the CTV Television Network - is an English-language television station in Canada. First launched in 1961, CTV represents the most prominent privately-owned network currently operating in Canada.

CTV encompasses over 20 stations that share the news across Canada, often standing as the country's top-rated network. The station covered the Murdaugh case, contacting Ms. Shaw for her professional opinion about the subject and verdict.

Professional Answers About the Murdaugh Case

When looking for legal answers regarding the Murdaugh case, CTV turned to many lawyers, including Ms. Shaw. Shaw works with the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC, a woman-owned firm that provides criminal defense services in Philadelphia.

Ms. Shaw earned degrees from Rutgers and the Temple University Beasley School of Law. She secured her bar admissions to Pennsylvania and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for the Federal Court system.

Through her work, she earned the Andrew Gay Award, an honor offered to individuals who excel in trial advocacy as it relates to criminal law.

A Fast Verdict in the Murdaugh Case

During the CTV interview, Ms. Shaw answered questions about the speed of the jury's deliberation in the Murdaugh case. The jury began deliberations directly after closing arguments, coming to an agreement without stopping for a dinner break.

Ms. Shaw expressed a degree of surprise with the speed of the jury's deliberations due to the lack of significant direct evidence in the claim. Instead, large parts of the prosecution's case hinged on the circumstantial evidence tying Alex Murdaugh to the murders of his wife and son.

Ms. Shaw credits the video evidence linking Alex Murdaugh to the scene of the crime as the aspect of the prosecution's case that prompted "the jury to act so swiftly."

Questions About a Potential Mistrial in the Murdaugh Case

The CTV newscaster also asked Ms. Shaw about the potential of a mistrial in the Murdaugh murder case due in part to the speed of the jury's deliberations. Despite some talk in the news of this potentiality, Ms. Shaw stated she believed that the court would not declare a mistrial.

Ms. Shaw mentioned the judge's statements regarding "overwhelming evidence after the fact" regarding Mr. Murdaugh's actions as well as the prosecution's ability to show "not only that [Alex Murdaugh] was present, but that he had the motive, the means, and the opportunity," as explanations for why she believed there would not be a mistrial.

While there was limited direct evidence surrounding the case, the totality of the circumstantial evidence added up in the courtroom.

Ms. Shaw's Views on the Judge in the Murdaugh Case

The Murdaugh trial occurred at the Colleton County Courthouse in South Carolina. Attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin provided a legal defense for Mr. Murdaugh, with the prosecution led by Creighton Waters.

Judge Clifton Newman presided over the case throughout the entirety of the trial. CTV asked Ms. Shaw for her opinions on Judge Newman's demeanor towards Mr. Murdaugh throughout the trial and the appropriateness of remarks made by Judge Newman.

Ms. Shaw believed the judge to be appropriate and even-toned throughout the case, which involved a bomb threat and the removal of several jurors. Two jurors were removed due to infection with COVID, while the court released a third for inappropriate behavior.

Sentencing in the Murdaugh Trial

The court ruled out the death penalty in the Murdaugh trial, prompting the CTV anchor to question Ms. Shaw regarding what she expected from sentencing. As a defense attorney, Ms. Shaw focused on the importance of mitigation and humanizing the defendant.

She believed the defense would focus on "positive things they can show Mr. Murdaugh has done during his lifetime," though acknowledged the prosecution could push for harsher sentencing due to video evidence of past "instances of improper behavior."

Following the interview, the court sentenced Mr. Murdaugh to two consecutive life sentences with no possibility of parole for the murder of his wife and son.

The Future of the Murdaugh Trial

The court convicted Mr. Murdaugh for the murder of his wife and son and sentenced him to consecutive life sentences. However, his legal team has already filed a notice of appeal which is yet to be resolved.

Many other people around the country face murder charges. The Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC, provides assistance as a criminal defense firm in Philadelphia. The firm can take on cases through International Women's History month and the rest of the year.

Individuals who have questions about their legal rights or the prospect of building a defense can contact the firm by phone or through their online contact form.

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