Defense Points to Gang Ties in Murdaugh Case
Defense lawyer Dick Harpootlian suggests a street gang killed Maggie and Paul Murdaugh over an unpaid debt.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Financial Crime
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Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian alleges the Cowboys, a violent street gang near Walterboro, killed Maggie and Paul Murdaugh due to a debt. This revelation follows the South Carolina Supreme Court overturning Alex Murdaugh's 2023 murder convictions in May 2026.
Why it matters
Harpootlian suggests the 2021 murders were a drug-related debt collection or intimidation tactic rather than the acts previously argued by prosecutors. This theory introduces a new narrative following the reversal of the original guilty verdicts.
Defense attorneys cite reports that Alex Murdaugh owed $165,000 to the Cowboys gang, which saw 9 members prosecuted by authorities in 2016 and 2017. Eddie Smith, who was allegedly involved in laundering $2.4 million for Murdaugh, remains a central figure in the defense's narrative.
The players
Dick Harpootlian
He is the defense attorney currently representing Alex Murdaugh and introducing the theory regarding gang involvement in the murders.
Alex Murdaugh
He is the former lawyer whose 2023 murder convictions were overturned by the state Supreme Court.
Eddie Smith
He is an individual indicted for money laundering who allegedly handled millions of dollars for Alex Murdaugh.
The Cowboys
This is a violent street gang based near Walterboro in Colleton County that has been the subject of federal and local prosecution.
South Carolina Supreme Court
This is the state's highest judicial body that acted to overturn the murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh in 2026.
The details
Harpootlian claims Murdaugh wrote checks to facilitate drug purchases from Cowboys gang affiliates. He also argues that the defense team received thousands of pages of evidence at the last minute during the 2023 trial, compromising the initial legal proceedings.
Timeline
Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were killed on June 7, 2021.
Eddie Smith was indicted for money laundering in 2022.
Alex Murdaugh was convicted of double murder in 2023.
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Murdaugh's convictions in May 2026.
Solicitors plan to seek anti-gang legislation in 2027.
Legal Context
The defense's focus on the Cowboys gang follows a pattern set by the South Carolina General Assembly's proposed anti-gang legislation. This new theory underscores the pressure on state officials to address violent street gang activity in Colleton County through upcoming legislative changes.
The shift toward investigating potential gang involvement in local murders may impact Colleton County residents by necessitating increased security measures and law enforcement presence in Walterboro. The community is watching to see how the state adjusts its legal approach to gang-related criminal debt.
The takeaway
The introduction of a new theory in the Murdaugh case illustrates how unresolved debt and gang ties can complicate high-profile criminal litigation. Residents should monitor upcoming legislative sessions for potential changes in state anti-gang statutes.
What happens next
Solicitors are scheduled to present a new anti-gang law to the South Carolina General Assembly during the 2027 legislative session.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments in the state, visit the South Carolina Financial Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Herald.
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