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A South Carolina lawyer tried to arrange his own death this month so his son would get a life insurance payment of $10 million, but the plan failed after the shot only grazed his head, police said.
In a statement made by the State Law Enforcement Division, Curtis Edward Smith was charged with assisted suicide, insurance fraud, and several other crimes that took place during the Sept. 4th shooting of Alex Murdaugh in Hampton County.
Murdaugh was not charged on Tuesday night, but officers say we should expect additional charges. His legal team said that he would surrender to authorities in Hampton County on Thursday.
According to a sworn statement, Murdaugh provided Smith the gun with which to kill him, and Smith followed him to Old Salkehatchie Road, where he fired one shot at the lawyer as he stood in the road.
However, the bullet just grazed Murdaugh’s head, so he was able to phone 911 for assistance, police said. Last week, Murdaugh’s attorney claimed that the bullet fractured his skull.
According to state officials, Murdaugh wanted Smith to kill him so that his surviving son could receive his $10 million life insurance policy.
Smith allegedly drove away after he shot Murdaugh and disposed of the gun.
State officials claimed Murdaugh confirmed on Monday that he was trying to plan his own death.
Murdaugh told a family spokesperson last week that he had pulled on the side of the road when the low tire pressure indicator of his Mercedes SUV came on. He said a man in a pickup truck asked if he had car difficulties and then shot him.
On Tuesday, Smith, 61, admitted to shooting Murdaugh. He is currently being charged with assisted suicide, assault, and battery of a high aggravated nature, pointing and presenting a firearm, insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of marijuana.
In 2013, Murdaugh was Smith’s lawyer in a speeding case.
Three months ago, Murdaugh discovered the bodies of his wife, 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh, and their son, 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh, at their Colleton County home. Both had been shot multiple times, and their murders are still unsolved.
