Ending of Murdaugh trial brings end to crowds descending upon city

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - The Murdaugh double murder trial brought the national spotlight and crowds to Walterboro, S.C.

For those who traveled to the courthouse steps early Friday morning hoping to get a spot inside, this sentence marks the end of a trial that has drawn people to Walterboro from all over.

Many we talked to said they’ve followed this trial closely from the beginning. Locals describe watching it as “an addiction” saying this area has never really seen anything quite like this before.

After Thursday night’s guilty verdict, many said they were motivated to come here to Walterboro to see the sentencing for themselves. One woman who says she’s listened to this trial from its start, but Friday was her first day being here in person.

She says ultimately, she wasn’t surprised by the verdict but wanted to see Friday’s proceedings firsthand.

“Like they said nobody wins, but you know, just to get justice and justice was served,” South Carolina resident Teresa Kinsey said. “I didn’t want him to be guilty because I – that was a terrible thing to kill your wife and son. So, it was just terrible. At the end, I kept listening to stuff, and I was like ‘I think he did do it’ because it was nothing else there but him. It was him and them and that was it.”

WTOC saw several people walking by the courthouse stop to take photos, showing that interest in this case still remains high even after a verdict has been handed down. One woman said she thinks it will be hard to figure out what’s next for this area once the cameras leave. She says this case has become the center of attention for this city and the surrounding counties.

She said that she’s not sure this area will ever be the same again given the national spotlight.

“I think it’s amazing, but not in a good way, if that makes sense. It’d be kind of ‘what do we do next?’ because we’re so addicted to it, so to speak. We must find our new normal again,” South Carolina resident Gale Black said.

Many we spoke to say the verdict didn’t surprise them and that they’re somewhat relieved that this trial is now over.

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