Did Alex's family have more to say about the murders? Did he know the verdict was coming?
Here's what a body language expert revealed about the Murdaugh trial in an exclusive interview.
Disbarred South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh, of the prominent Murdaugh family, was sentenced
to life in prison on two counts of murder for the 2021 shooting deaths of his wife and son,
Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, CNN reports. Testifying at the trial were Alex's surviving son, Buster
Murdaugh, Maggie Murdaugh's own sister, Marian Proctor, and Alex's brother, John Marvin Murdaugh.
According to the prosecution, Alex Murdaugh murdered his wife and son to cover up his
long history of fraud, evidence of which emerged during the Murdaugh trial. A number of mysterious
deaths related to the Murdaugh family dynasty stretching back decades were also revealed. The
former lawyer's own substance use issues were uncovered, which may have affected his frame
of mind when Maggie and Paul Murdaugh's murder took place, according to the defense, via People.
The body language of each key player in the courtroom during their own testimony and when
Alex Murdaugh's sentence was read was notable. Though the behaviors of each person spoke volumes,
nonverbal communication is a matter of interpretation. In an exclusive conversation
with Grunge, body language expert, communication coach, and author of "A.W.E.S.O.M.E.: 7 Keys
to Unlock the Speaker Within," Jess Ponce III, examined courtroom footage of several prominent
individuals related to the Murdaugh trial, adding a whole new dimension to the case.
During the double-murder trial, Alex's brother, John Marvin Murdaugh, took the
stand. Ponce noted John Marvin's visible emotion suited the tragic circumstance, telling Grunge,
"His face was red, his breath erratic, his eyes filled with tears, and his voice broken [...] He
also looked down and was quite expressive with his hands throughout his recounting of what happened."
"It's the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life."
When John Marvin wasn't in the midst of storytelling, Ponce notes,
"He looked right at the attorneys asking him questions and was far less teary-eyed.
He was still emotional but seemed much more measured. We saw different sides
of John Marvin. [...] He showcased more emotion than Alex or Buster."
Perhaps one of the most tragic moments in the Murdaugh trial came when Maggie's sister,
Marian Proctor, recounted the moment she asked Alex if her sibling had suffered
before she died. Ponce noted that Proctor was uncomfortable with the exchange, telling Grunge,
"She found it challenging to find the right words."
"I did, at one point, ask him if Maggie had suffered."
Ponce also noticed several sincere gestures on Proctor's part, telling Grunge,
"She touched her chest when she said she was worried for the [Murdaugh] family - and that
gesture, the motion to one's heart, indicates sincere feeling. In this case, it was fear."
"We were afraid. We didn't know what was going on."
After a long pause, Proctor indicated everyone was worried except Alex Murdaugh, explaining,
"That long pause spoke volumes - she felt he was hiding something."
"Alex didn't seem to be afraid."
Among all those present in the courtroom when Alex Murdaugh's sentence was read,
many eyes were on Alex's only surviving son, Buster Murdaugh. In Ponce's expert
interpretation of Buster's in-court demeanor, it seemed like the heir to
the disgraced Murdaugh family had more to say but kept it to himself. Ponce tells Grunge,
"Buster wiped his face, looked away, and then put his fingers
on his lips [...] He rested his hands on mouth for a beat, which typically — and
quite literally — indicates being 'closed mouth.' Overall, he was somber and guarded."
Ponce also found several clues in Alex Murdaugh's body language once
his guilty verdict was read and during his sentencing hearing. According to Ponce,
it was as if the former lawyer was unsurprised by what he heard, saying,
"He took a deep breath as he rose from his seat. He pursed his lips together in a self-conscious
manner, looked down, and swayed ever so slightly as the verdict was read. [...] Upon hearing
'guilty' his head motioned forward a bit, almost as if to indicate yes."
"Guilty verdict, signed by the forelady, 3-2-23."
Discussing Alex's small but meaningful movements, Ponce tells Grunge,
"As the guilty verdicts continued his eyes occasionally closed and pursed his
lips again — but these movements were very subtle. His only change was upon
hearing the voices of the jury affirming his guilt. Overall, his reaction to the verdict
was very stoic and unremarkable. It was almost as if he was void of any emotion or reaction."