Why do juries view crime scenes like the Murdaugh estate?
Jurors in Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial got a chance to see for themselves the rural hunting estate where his wife and son were killed
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Jurors in Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial got to see for themselves the rural hunting estate where his wife and son were killed, following in the footsteps of other juries that have viewed crime scenes in cases that captured the nation’s attention.
Crime scene visits by juries are relatively rare but have occurred in a number of other high-profile prosecutions, including the 1995 murder trial of O.J. Simpson and last year's trial of Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz.
Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina attorney, was convicted of murder Thursday in the shooting deaths of his wife and son at dog kennels near their home on June 7, 2021, as his career and finances were crumbling. Murdaugh has denied any role in the fatal shootings.
Here's a look at the practice of having juries view crime scenes and some other notable cases:
