Tuesday headlines: Defense rests as Murdaugh trial slogs along in 6th week

The defense rested Monday in the double murder trial of disbarred Hampton County lawyer Alex Murdaugh after calling 14 witnesses over the last week. The last witness that jurors saw was Murdaugh’s brother, John Marvin Murdaugh, who testified that he believed investigators haven’t found the real killers of Alex Murdaugh’s wife and son.

The defense also called crime scene expert Tim Palmbach, who suggested two different shooters killed Alex Murdaugh’s wife and son because two different weapons were used. Investigators have said Maggie Murdaugh was shot with a rifle, while Paul Murdaugh was killed by shotgun blasts.

S.C. Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman also agreed to a defense request to let the jury visit the family property and see the crime scene for themselves. A date for the trip has not been scheduled. Prosecutors are expected to call two rebuttal witnesses today. The trial is now in its sixth week.

In other headlines:

Harris touts broadband connection in S.C. Vice President Kamala Harris promoted the Biden administration’s achievements on broadband internet access during a visit to South Carolina. She supported the use of $175 million being spent to help improve high-speed internet infrastructure at historically Black colleges and institutions. Meanwhile, former Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to visit S.C. Thursday.

S.C.’s Benjamin takes over major White House role. President Joe Biden on Monday announced the appointment of former Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin as director of the White House Office of Engagement.

Economic roadmap guides Charleston area metro for next 10 years. One Region is a document intended to guide the next decade in the Charleston metro area. The document is aimed at keeping the Charleston metro economy growing by highlighting areas of improvement across the Tri-County area with six action areas including affordability, infrastructure, quality of place, talent, global fluency and innovation and entrepreneurship.

North Charleston neighborhood calls for sidewalks, bike lanes. The Whipper Barony Neighborhood between Meeting Street Road and Rivers Avenue near McMillan Avenue is urging its community to call for bike lanes and sidewalks to prevent any serious injuries. Meanwhile, a new report shows U.S. pedestrian fatalities were on the rise in the first half of 2022.

Charleston Co. school district approves prayer policy. The Charleston County School District approved a policy to allow prayer at the beginning of special and regular board meetings. Board members may volunteer to begin meetings with prayer. Meanwhile, the current chief financial officer of the Charleston County School District, Channa Williams, tendered her resignation, according to the school district. Jacquelyn Carlen was named as Interim Chief Financial Officer.

Summerville students to help repopulate bluebirds. Some of the youngest birders in Summerville have joined forces to monitor and populate bluebirds.

S.C. ranks 4th in country for private gun thefts. South Carolina in the past five years experienced the fourth-highest rate of personally reported gun thefts in the U.S. according to a report from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.