Yemassee, S.C. – A secret grand jury is re‑examining the actions of Yemassee Police Chief Greg Alexander on the night of the June 7, 2021 murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh at the family’s hunting property, known locally as Moselle. John Marvin Murdaugh, the younger brother of the accused Alex Murdaugh, says Alexander helped him reach the scene after a frantic phone call from his brother.
Background on the case
Alex Murdaugh was convicted in early 2023 of murdering his wife and son and sentenced to life in prison. The South Carolina Supreme Court later reversed those convictions, citing trial‑conduct concerns, and a new trial is set for April 5, 2027. As the retrial approaches, investigators are focusing on whether Alexander and another officer handled weapons or clothing after the killings.
Alexander’s long‑standing ties to the Murdaugh family
Records from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy show Alexander began his law‑enforcement career in Yemassee in November 2000, later serving with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, Cottageville and Estill before returning to Yemassee in 2005. In 2010 a polygraph examination indicated “deception indicated” after a $10,000 seizure was reported missing from a safe in Alexander’s office. He was acquitted of the related charge in 2012, and Alex Murdaugh publicly defended him, describing the charges as “clearly manufactured.”
In March 2022, FITSNews reported that Alexander received a $5,000 loan from Alex Murdaugh, allegedly to help his parents. Alexander later clarified the check was dated July 9, 2021, just over a month after the murders.
John Marvin Murdaugh’s account of the night
According to John Marvin’s June 10, 2021 interview with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and his later trial testimony, a series of vehicle swaps placed a white Ford F‑250 farm truck at his home in Okatie. After learning his brother Alex had called to say the Murdaugh children were “hurt bad,” John Marvin drove to Moselle, requesting Alexander’s assistance because his truck was sputtering.
He says Alexander activated his blue lights, and the two traveled at speeds he estimated between 70 and 80 miles per hour. Halfway down Highway 63, John Marvin’s truck stopped – he offered either a mechanical failure or low fuel as the cause. He claims Alexander was ahead, turned back, and retrieved him, then continued to Moselle.
During his testimony, John Marvin added that he traveled from Okatie through Coosawhatchie, took I‑95 to Yemassee, and then proceeded toward Moselle, emphasizing the farm truck’s poor condition. He reiterated that Alexander met him in Yemassee, fell behind, and later turned around to pick him up before reaching Moselle.
Open questions and investigation focus
The grand jury is looking to determine whether Alexander’s documented movements align with John Marvin’s statements and whether any evidence was mishandled after the murders. Alexander, through counsel, has denied any involvement in a cover‑up.
Law‑enforcement officials have not released a complete timeline of Alexander’s whereabouts, but the investigation will compare his GPS data, dispatch records, and the testimony of witnesses who saw his patrol vehicle on Highway 63 that night.
Community impact
Yemassee residents have long known of the close relationship between the Murdaugh family and local law‑enforcement. The renewed scrutiny has revived community concerns about transparency and accountability in investigations involving prominent families.
Local leaders, including Mayor John Smith of Yemassee, have called for a thorough and impartial review, emphasizing the need to uphold the rule of law and protect the integrity of the justice system.
What’s next?
The secret grand jury’s findings will be presented to a judge, who will decide whether additional charges or subpoenas are warranted. The outcome could shape the upcoming 2027 trial and influence public confidence in both the local police department and the broader South Carolina legal process.
Original reporting: FITSNews — read the source article.
