Two years after Alex Murdaugh’s conviction for murder, defense attorney Dick Harpootlian remains steadfast in his belief that the disgraced lawyer is innocent in the killings of his wife and youngest son. Murdaugh, aged 56, is currently serving a life sentence for the fatal shootings of his wife, Maggie, and youngest son, Paul, in June 2021 at their family’s hunting estate in Colleton County, South Carolina. Despite the prosecution’s argument that the murders were a ploy to divert attention from Murdaugh’s financial crimes, Harpootlian, who represented Murdaugh during the trial, maintains his stance that Alex is not the perpetrator. He recalls the close family dynamics witnessed during their meetings, emphasizing that Alex cherished his son Paul, thus finding it inconceivable that he could have harmed him in such a brutal manner. Harpootlian also points out the lack of forensic evidence linking Murdaugh to the crime scene, highlighting discrepancies that raise doubts about his involvement. Looking ahead, Harpootlian expresses optimism about the potential for a new trial based on alleged misconduct, as he continues to engage with Murdaugh and provide legal counsel. Despite the gravity of the situation, Harpootlian admires Murdaugh’s resilience and composure in the face of adversity.
After graduating from Clemson University in 1975, Harpootlian described himself as a “long-haired hippie” who was against the death penalty and the Vietnam War. He commenced his career as a prosecutor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office in the 1980s, during which his views on the death penalty evolved. Over the years, he handled numerous murder cases, including 12 death penalty cases such as the prosecution of Donald “Pee Wee” Gaskins, South Carolina’s infamous serial killer.
In his new book, “Dig Me a Grave: The Inside Story of the Serial Killer who Seduced the South,” co-authored with Shaun Assael, Harpootlian delves into the Pee Wee Gaskins case and his changing perspective on the death penalty. Gaskins, also known as Pee Wee due to his short stature, confessed to 13 murders in the hope of avoiding the death penalty in the 1980s. He disposed of his victims’ bodies in the swamps of coastal South Carolina.
Despite attempting to escape death row by poisoning a fellow inmate, Gaskins eventually met his end in 1991. Harpootlian, who was the solicitor by then, revealed that Gaskins had plotted to harm his daughter. Following this discovery, Harpootlian and his family were under protection until Gaskins was executed in the electric chair.
Harpootlian’s accounts of the Gaskins case shed light on the harrowing events and his changing stance on capital punishment.
On Thursday, September 14, 2023, following the successful execution of Tyner by Gaskins, prosecutors once again pursued the death penalty for the notorious serial killer. Harpootlian reflected on a conversation he had with Gaskins, during which the killer accused him of enjoying taking lives. Harpootlian grappled with the realization that he played a role in Gaskins’ death and questioned whether he derived pleasure from it, leading to a moral dilemma. His reflections on this experience are shared in his upcoming book, set to be released on December 16 and currently available for pre-order. For real-time updates, visit the True Crime Hub website. This information was sourced from an article discussing Alex Murdaugh’s defense attorney’s belief in his innocence and potential for a new trial.
