Valerie Bauerlein
@vbauerlein
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WSJ National Affairs Reporter. Author of the instant NYT bestseller “The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty"
Raleigh, N.C.
Joined August 2009
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We have a release date! “The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty” is out Aug. 20. It’s about power, privilege, blood and the rural South and I can’t wait for you to read it.
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So amazing to hear these jurors speak after watching them so closely these past six weeks. They agreed a) Murdaugh’s testimony and b) the trip to Moselle both damaged his case. Both were choices made by the defense.
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So much emotion. And the stellar Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill looking down on it all. She and her team handled this trial with such grace.
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Single most significant piece of evidence? The kennel video
James: “If he didn’t do it, how did he know what time to lie about not being there?” “It came from Paul. Paul has no reason to lie.”
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Deciding factors for juror Amy Williams: believability of witnesses, kennel video and Murdaugh’s testimony.
Amy was one of my favorites to watch. Her expressions (like my own) seem to reveal what she is thinking, which during Murdaugh’s testimony looked like, “Um, no.”
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Juror James McDowell said a storm of factors made up the motive and the trip to Moselle was pivotal.
On why jurors came back for sentencing: “We spend six weeks there, we bond, we’re a very close-knit jury…it was important for us to go back and kind of see it to the end.”
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@ratemyskyperoom
Thank you! The ship in a bottle is a prized possession. As is the junior high track trophy!
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In the second interview block, Amy Williams said she led the jury in prayer at the start of deliberations: “I prayed for clarity and wisdom and that the truth will be revealed.”
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James is 22 yo; his brother Chad McDowell is 7 years older and was one of the CCSO deputies at Moselle that night. Both sides agreed in the judge's chambers that James could be a fair and impartial juror
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Gwen (not sure of her last name–apologies!), said Murdaugh’s motive seemed to be greed. She didn’t believe his tears on the stand were real:
“I didn’t think he was crying. He turned it on and off.”
#murdaughtrial
@TODAYshow
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Behind the sensational Murdaugh murder case, there is an equally wild legal drama that’s ensnared South Carolina’s elite. “This life of privilege is part of what should be examined here.” via
@WSJ
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It has been so humbling to be part of this vast and, at the same time, intimate event. Journalists can and do disagree and see things from such different frames. That’s how it should be. But I have been reminded constantly over the past six weeks of the “corps” in press corps
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Y'all, and the proper spellings are (L to R) James McDowell, Amie Williams and Gwen Generette
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Thank you,
@AveryGWilks
. It was a privilege to represent the press corps. And I'm not saying I cried my makeup off, but I'm not saying I didn't.
This should say "a great person." Everyone needs an editor.
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@AveryGWilks
: “I feel like Frodo after Mount Doom. How am I supposed to go back to the Shire after this?”
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James McDowell says they then took an anonymous vote, so no one would feel pressure right off the bat.
Vote was 9 guilty; 2 not guilty; 1 not sure
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Two terrific journalists! Congratulations.
It was a real honor winning photographer of the year along with
@AveryGWilks
winning journalist of the year on his last day at The
@postandcourier
.
A truly incredible reporter who I will miss working with.
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Lucky me! Thank y’all.
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#authorsrowredux
Grateful to be in the room with some world-class journalists today. Cheering you on
@mmdewittjr
and Jason Ryan! And a shout out to the best of the best
@jmonkatthestate
❤️
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So so humbled by the early praise for DEVIL, including from the great
@JohnCarreyrou
. The book is out 8.20.24!
#murdaugh
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Fun fact: Becky Hill is a former Miss Walterboro!
Not on my bingo card tonight: The Colleton County Clerk of Court being introduced at the Miss South Carolina USA pageant to rousing applause on the heels of the Murdaugh trial: “She read off the verdict: Guilty.”
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@jmonkatthestate
: “I feel like Frodo taking the ring to Mordor. ‘I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way.’ "
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Y’all made us feel welcome every day. And we tried (and failed) to be as glam as ‘Nette!
Can't tell y'all how much I am gonna miss the courthouse staff! They became like family!
@Alias_KP
@vbauerlein
#ALEXMURDAUGH
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Alex Murdaugh’s trial lasted six weeks. It was the two days during which he took the stand in his own defense that mattered the most.
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Alright, nerds (and I am one so don’t @ me if I mangle Tolkein!) This really happened while waiting in the sunshine for Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin’s press conference:
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A good read on
#Murdaughtrial
juror James McDowell and his older brother Chad McDowell, one of the first officers on the scene (who Murdaugh asked "How you doin'?")
The second officer on scene for the Murdaugh murders, who was personally criticized by Alex Murdaugh's defense team, was related to one of the jurors hearing the case: his brother.
Neither the defense nor the prosecution objected to his joining the panel
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Next time I’ll angle the camera one shelf higher! Still ❤️ Walt McLeod
Rare double lava lamp setup. Books. Love shapes/colors. Pro ship in bottle. Minor cord violation. 9/10
@vbauerlein
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Big fan of
@mmdewittjr
! And
@fitsnews
and I go back 23 years…
Coming Wednesday: several close to the story speak out for the first time; hear from journalists Valerie Bauerlein, Will Folks, Michael DeWitt. Netflix announces Murdaugh docuseries probing SC crime saga and murders via
@greenvillenews
#alexmurdaughtrial
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It has been a long six weeks but I have truly loved Walterboro.
I Just realized these photos belong to
@vbauerlein
and are from our reporting at the oyster roast. Thank you Valerie.
#Dateline
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You are so kind. So funny to think that all three of us sat in the same chair at one point at
@thestate
Three of the best journalists that have ever done this craft in South Carolina. And three absolutely great human beings. That is an amazing collection of greatness in one photo.
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Yes, that's what we were trying to do. I hoped people could get a sense for Maggie and Paul Murdaugh's proximity to one another and Maggie's line of sight. Thanks!
@AveryGWilks
@WhitakerPhotos
@vbauerlein
In the third photo, I believe they are both also standing in the locations where Paul and Maggie’s bodies were found FYI
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Thrilled that
@AppleBooks
chose THE DEVIL AT HIS ELBOW as an August
#MustListen
! Narrated for 15 hours by the great Maggie-Meg Reed (and a few minutes by me)!
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A pro's pro! When I needed a notebook during the
#Murdaugh
trial, John gladly gave me one. Signed, of course!
I've done so many stories that I've finally turned into a story myself! -- At 77, veteran SC courts reporter John Monk says he's still having fun
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Actually, I'm from Eastern NC and have covered umpteen hurricanes! So yeah, I have filed from a tailgate once or twice..
@WhitakerPhotos
@AveryGWilks
@vbauerlein
@vbauerlein
Is that the first time you’ve ever sat in the backwoods on a tailgate writing an article? Which by the way was a great one!!
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One year ago today! Jury selection AND Dick Harpootlian's birthday...
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"They took less time to make their decision than prosecutors spent laying out their case in closing arguments."
A lyrical read by
@thadmoore
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So cool! The title of my
#Murdaugh
book (8.20.24!) is from "Blood Meridian":
“You can find meanness in the least of creatures, but when God made man the devil was at his elbow. A creature that can do anything.”
In exciting news, the legendary, New York Times bestselling & Pulitzer Prize–winning author Cormac McCarthy’s epic novel BLOOD MERIDIAN is being adapted into a movie. Read the book while we wait for the movie:
Read the article:
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So excited to talk "The Devil at His Elbow" with
@jdawsey1
at 7 p.m. Thursday at Politics & Prose. I can feel my accent coming out already!
If you're in DC this week, join
@vbauerlein
and me Thursday for a talk about her fantastic new book, "The Devil at His Elbow." She is an excellent human and reporter, and the book on the Murdaugh murders and our beloved SC is captivating. Details here:
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Other
#s
:
–480 pages
–2.5 years of reporting
–137 years of history (from Hampton County’s founding as a “white county” to Alex’s sentencing on Monday)
–34 notebooks?!
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"You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me."
@AveryGWilks
I grew up in that building, surrounded by great people who taught me the craft. ❤️
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Oh wow. Thank you,
@MegKinnardAP
I will try to live up to your description of me.
On this
#InternationalWomensDay
, I want to highlight one of the best reporters I know:
@vbauerlein
.
She's grit, class, grace, and intelligence - and I can't wait to read her book about the Murdaugh trial when it comes out! 👠
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Grateful to early readers like
@williamcohan
! THE DEVIL AT HIS ELBOW is out in just over two weeks.
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They have both demonstrated masterful command of the facts and smart analysis of the meaning of those facts in real time. Hats off to
@AveryGWilks
and
@DrewTripp
Really couldn’t have put this together without Valerie. But also giving a shoutout to some fantastic reporters I followed along the way who have been delivering fantastic on the ground coverage
@AveryGWilks
@DrewTripp
!
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So happy for you! Thanks for making a journalist from the *other* Carolina feel so welcome. Can't wait for you to sign my book.
When the Murdaugh saga first began, this small-town, weekly newspaper editor was leery of all the out-of-town "Yankee TV people" from New York and California. But then I got to know them and realized they are mighty fine people, and I made some great friends I will never forget!
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The feeling could not be more mutual,
@MegKinnardAP
. I got so teary when I saw you in the crowd.
Was so thankful my flight got me back to South Carolina in time to make it to
@vbauerlein
's book signing in Columbia last night.
Valerie is one of the best reporters - and humans - I know, and I have always looked up to her. She's at the top of my list of reporters I want to be
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Thank you,
@DrewTripp
Your reporting on this case was fantastic. Which makes your kind words even more meaningful ❤️
I was privileged this weekend to preview
@vbauerlein
's forthcoming book on the Alex Murdaugh story, The Devil At His Elbow.
It's wonderful. Even the most ardent followers of the Murdaugh saga will learn fascinating new details, and Valerie crafts an incredible narrative.
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My 2020 story on
@akasorority1908
and soror Kamala Harris quotes the late Rep. Sheila Lee saying the AKA founders would be proud: “They would say, ‘This is all that we have fought for. It is well with our soul.’” '
w/
@starjonesesq
@SteveBenjaminSC
@HipHopPrez
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Thank you,
@smerconish
! Can't wait to talk with you about this book and this case, which you've been on since the beginning. Release on Aug. 20 is around the corner!
Congrats
@vbauerlein
- finished advance copy in flight. I knew the ending but hung on every page. So well written. Best seller in your future.
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Thank you, friend! I owe you a phone call. At this point, having been without my phone during working hours for six weeks? I think I owe everyone I know a phone call!
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Thank you!
Great read by one of our best reporters
@vbauerlein
, who has been covering the case from the beginning:
Alex Murdaugh’s trial lasted six weeks. It was the two days during which he took the stand in his own defense that mattered the most. via
@WSJ
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You are doing such good work. Go to sleep, though!
OK, folks, I'm gonna call it quits on the Day 28 Megathread. We will be back at it in the morning for Murdaugh's sentencing.
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Thanks, dear! Funny that you say that bc this is the full quote:
“When Truman Capote wrote In Cold Blood, he had the story of the Clutter slayings all to himself. With The Devil at His Elbow, Valerie Bauerlein has achieved something far more difficult journalistically: Despite
@vbauerlein
@JenniferNPL1
@SetonTucker
@Journey987
I plan on reading because Valerie is an exceptional writer and I expect this to be on par with true crime classics like “In Cold Blood.”
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@mmdewittjr
has been the voice of his community at a mind-boggling time. In the tradition of small-town newspaper editors everywhere. ❤️ and mad respect.
I have been recuperating from the
#alexmurdaughtrial
and haven't watched, but apparently this weekend I am on three major TV networks. Just FYI, I feel for the affected families, I don't get paid for TV, and I just try to represent my county well and tell our story properly.
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Thank you,
@AmyArgetsinger
! Such high praise coming from you. 👑
Once I heard that
@vbauerlein
was writing a book about the case, I basically abstained from all Murdaugh content, knowing this was the piece I would wait to consume (did that trial wrap up yet??). And, my God, was it worth the wait. Next week, you can read it too.
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This is the pool footage from our press visit to Moselle last week. Steven Gresham of Court TV did excellent work.
#murdaughtrial
via
@YouTube
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Y’all treated us with such grace and professionalism. Thank you! Love to ‘Net, Ruben et al
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@AveryGWilks
has endless talent, a great sense of humor and a big heart. I am so sad for us and (at least trying hard to be) happy for him. Get after it, Avery!
🚨🚨🚨 Personal news Megathread 🚨🚨🚨
This is my last week at
@postandcourier
. It is also my last in the news business.
I've so enjoyed my 7.5 years as a news reporter, and I'm so proud of what we were able to accomplish during my time with the
@postandcourier
and
@thestate
.
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I have no doubt
@thadmoore
brought it home. Looking forward to it
Our guy
@thadmoore
stayed behind late in Colleton County late yesterday to finally secure an Islandton dateline and pen a really excellent Sunday story on the end of the Alex Murdaugh trial and the questions left unanswered.
Can't wait for y'all to read it tomorrow.
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Could not love this more. Thank you,
@mmdewittjr
After meeting and coming to love Jason and Valerie, I wish the three of us could have worked together on this project! Luckily, this isn't a competition for any of us - we think of it as a future Murdaugh trilogy for your bookshelf.
@AveryGWilks
@vbauerlein
@TheJasonRyan
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Neither woman was. The forewoman has not spoken publicly that I am aware of. But James told me that he sought the ok from the jury before speaking with the media.
@vbauerlein
Do you know if either of these two ladies were the jury's foreperson? It was very insightful watching these interviews this morning. None of the jurors who have spoken so far seemed to have believed a word AM was saying.
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An interview 24 years in the making!? Thanks,
@fitsnews
, for having me.
Our
@TheWillFolks
sits down with
@VBauerlein
of The Wall Street Journal to discuss her new book, 'The Devil At His Elbow,' the definitive history (for now) of the
#MurdaughMurders
saga...
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Hey y'all. Sorry to say my Twitter was hacked and I lost all the people I was following. So if you see me following you and are like, "Hey! Why wasn't she following me already?" That's why.
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A bonus: realizing the great Mary Karr used the first half of the same paragraph in "The Liar's Club."
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Via
@rgrikard
, an SC lawyer who knows how the system works
#murdaughtrial
#murdaughtriallive
Tomorrow will be a much different day for Murdaugh. After sentencing instead of going to the county jail he will go to Reception and Evauluation on Broad River Rd. They’ll shave his head and put him through a battery of tests that vet weeks 1/
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Thank you, Kassidy! Keep me posted on what you think?
@vbauerlein
#Alexmurdaugh
#TheDevilAtHisElbow
I CANNOT put this book down!!! It's physically and mentally impossible. Beautifully, intelligently, and elegantly written.
I thought my little YouTube series was a deep dive til I started reading this. I highly recommend this book!!
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Thanks,
@GavinJackson
! I got to work alongside so many talented TV journos in SC, including
@LisaDNews
,
@hughesnews
,
@craigmelvin
,
@heatherbrown21
,
@JudiGatson
...
"I mean, this story had everything. It had all seven of the deadly sins,"
@vbauerlein
to
@LisaDNews
on
@NewsHour
"They [Murdaughs] realized that, to be above the law, you had to become the law. And they were the law."
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Love some
@mchoteborsky
but she *may* be a bit biased since she is the BRILLIANT editor of “The Devil at His Elbow.” But Apple also likes the audiobook and I hope y’all will, too.
@JonahDispatch
The Devil at His Elbow, by
@vbauerlein
—amazing true crime about the Murdaugh murders
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I loved sitting down with
@BITBRPodcast
. Like I told Vince and Joel: “longtime listener, first-time caller!”
Vincent and Joel sit down with WSJ reporter Valerie Bauerlein to discuss her beginnings in SC political reporting before taking a deep dive into her book, "The Devil at His Elbow," an in-depth look at the Murdaugh crime saga that rocked SC the last several years. Episode out now!
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I've been on book leave for a minute. Grateful to be back at
@wsj
working w/terrific reporters
@Tawnell
@efindell
@CaraRLombardo
A touchy Tesla gear shift and a panicked call came before a global shipping magnate drowned in a small stock pond within sight of her house.
@vbauerlein
&
@Tawnell
detail the tragic death of Angela Chao last month on a ranch near Johnson City
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Can’t wait! Thanks so much for having us.
Tomorrow, join
@vbauerlein
to discuss THE DEVIL AT HIS ELBOW - this is the definitive and thrilling true story of Alex Murdaugh’s violent downfall - with
@jdawsey1
- 7PM @ Conn Ave -
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Thanks! The title is from Cormac McCarthy:
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@RationalMomma
@fitsnews
"English professor type" is the nicest thing anyone has said about me since I was Quiz Bowl Captain
#letsgonerds
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❤️ this photo. And 🥂 to Dav and the badassery he has inspired for decades.
We all looked up to AP reporter Jim Davenport. He was fair, objective & tough. What an amazing moment today to see
@JoeBReporter
receive the award named for Jim. Joe is a hell of a reporter who Jim would have loved. Thank you
@MegKinnardAP
and
@gahardee
for starting this award.
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Swimming in your wake always,
@jmonkatthestate
. Thank you.
This is the first of the many already published Murdaugh murder saga books to make The NY Times nonfiction bestseller list. By WSJ and former State reporter Valerie Bauerlein - it’s being justly praised for its formidable research and compelling narrative writing
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Early on,
@BryanStirling
visited Cola bus station and was "appalled to see former inmates stepping down from the Lee bus still wearing their prison garb..Most had no idea where they were going to sleep that night."
Why a visit to a maximum-security South Carolina prison gave me hope
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What was the deal with the dismissed juror wanting her eggs? A juror had brought in a few dozen brown eggs to share.
The 3 jurors being interviewed by SC's own
@craigmelvin
say the jury is like family now
Craig gives a shoutout to James' alma mater
@ClemsonUniv
(end)
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@DrewTripp
is a real one! Thanks,
@elizfarrell
“It feels disingenuous to downplay public stake in the fate of (someone) well established in Your Honor's court as a chief enabler and willing co-conspirator to one of the most depraved and notorious criminals in state history.”
Y'all, if I'd known Judge Gergel was going to publish this, I don't know if I would've sent it. Now I'm glad I did. I just wish they would've redacted my phone number! 🤣 Thanks for the shout-out
@elizfarrell
!
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Hey
@MullenTaylorLaw
! Thank you and a big hug.
Looking forward to diving into
@vbauerlein
new book, from her days reporting at
@thestate
, I know her writing is excellent.
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@mdfriesen01
@AveryGWilks
@jmonkatthestate
@AveryGWilks
is a badass from the word go. Which is the highest praise I can offer. ❤️
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"You can't out-piss a pole cat, and you can't out-print the press." - Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh Jr (via
@mmdewittjr
)
"The South Carolina press deserves a Pulitzer." - Eric Bland. Thanks for the insights and comments
@FolksWill
@fitsnews
@netflix
Congrats to all SC media partners and thanks to the national media for amplifying our voices and sharing our stories.
@DatelineNBCProd
@DatelineNBC
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I loved talking "DEVIL" with the great
@LisaDNews
for
@pbsnewshour
. She and I go back a minute. At least 24 years!
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Flashback to September when Dick Harpootlian told fellow senators: "That Simpson guy? Symmes? He lacerated me. He hurt my feelings.”
I've worked with a lot of comms officials over the years, and Brian is among the very best.
He's also just a really great guy who deserves all the good things coming to him.
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Vincent, Joel and I talk about tort reform, home rule AND the end of single-member districts all as it relates to Alex
#Murdaugh
?! Please check out the latest
#BITBR
podcast
#scpol
Congratulations to Valerie Bauerlein on her best-seller, "The Devil at His Elbow." What a pleasure to have Valerie on
#BITBR
to discuss the Murdaugh family history and go behind the scenes of the trial. Pick up her book AND check out our latest episode!
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Hope to see y'all there! Liza is one of the most talented interviewers I've ever known. I feel sure it'll be a great conversation.
Join
@vbauerlein
and
@WalterMagazine
founding editor Liza Roberts for an intimate conversation, book reading and signing opportunity on Sept. 18 at Theatre in the Park. Tickets and more details:
#ad
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@fitsnews
@mmdewittjr
Can't wait to use my rusty French to read Arthur's book! It's on the way. And psyched for
@mmdewittjr
whose book is out TODAY
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Quite a read about the
#Murdaughtrial
auction:
"What can be understood from the book collection: the Bible, property law, John Grisham, Barack Obama, Flannery O’Connor, “Christ the Center”?
Was that really a harpoon?"
Great story by
@kayjaykelly
about the auction of the Murdaugh family's belongings and the people who came to see for themselves the detritus of an infamous life:
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