Crime accusations put the spotlight on the Murdaugh family 2:46
(CNN) --
Jurors have reached a verdict in the double murder trial of former attorney Alex Murdaugh after just hours of deliberating.
Murdaugh has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and two counts of weapons in the June 2021 deaths of his wife, Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh, and their son, Paul, on their family property in Islandton, South Carolina.
The jury must be unanimous in its decision to acquit Murdaugh or convict him.
Alex Murdaugh walks into the courtroom in Walterboro, South Carolina, before closing arguments began Wednesday.
(Credit: Joshua Boucher/The State/AP)
In the closing arguments of the trial, the prosecution held that Alex Murdaugh was the only person who had the motive, the means and the opportunity to kill his family.
Also that his lies to the police betrayed him later.
Meanwhile, the defense blamed Murdaugh's lies on drug addiction, tried to paint the image of a loving father and accused law enforcement of failure and fabrication.
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