Alex Murdaugh and Bubba.Photo: Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty, Maggie Murdaugh/facebook

Alex Murdaugh and dog

A beloved family dog proved to play a surprising key role inconvincing a jurythatAlex Murdaughmurdered his wife and son.

In the damning video, Murdaugh, 54, who prosecutors say killed his wife and son amid personal and financial struggles, is heard retrieving a chicken from family pet Bubba, a yellow Labrador said to be his wifeMaggie Murdaugh’s favorite dog.

“Come here, Bubba!” Murdaugh was heard saying. “Come here, Bubba!”

Alex Murdaugh (center).Chris Carlson/AP/Shutterstock

Alex Murdaugh, center, is led out of Colleton County Courthouse by sheriff’s deputies after being convicted, in Walterboro, S.C.

Although Murdaugh firmly maintained his innocence throughout the trial, prosecutors insisted the shocking audio placed him at the scene of the crime — near the dog kennels at the family’s sprawling 1,770-acre South Carolina hunting estate — minutes before Paul, 22, and Maggie, 52, were both shot to death.

When Murdaugh took the stand earlier this week, he admitted he lied to police regarding his whereabouts the night of the murders.

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“Thank God for Bubba,” prosecutors said in court, alluding to the Snapchat video.

On Friday, Judge Clifton Newman handed downtwo life sentencesto Murdaugh after he was convicted of two counts of murder and two weapons charges for the June 7, 2021 slayings of his wife and son.

source: people.com