Full Breakdown
South Carolina Prosecutors Refute Defense Claim That Alex Murdaugh Passed a Polygraph
8/24/2026, 4:27:12 AM
Disputed Polygraph Claim
During a recent hearing, defense attorney Dick Harpootlian asserted that Alex Murdaugh had “passed a polygraph, flying colors,” and suggested the same examiner might be involved in the upcoming murder trial. The statement was presented as evidence that a polygraph could influence the case.
Prosecutors’ Response
State prosecutors filed a four-page response challenging the assertion as factually inaccurate. They clarified that Murdaugh never underwent a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) polygraph concerning the murders or any other subject. The two SLED examiners who administered a polygraph to Eddie Smith, a witness, did not examine Murdaugh, contradicting the defense’s implication of a “same polygrapher.”
Prosecutors also disclosed that Murdaugh completed an FBI-administered polygraph several months after his first murder trial, focusing on financial issues such as alleged hidden assets and statements to another attorney about stealing money. According to the state, Murdaugh failed that FBI test. The Attorney General’s Office noted it was not involved in, nor aware of, the FBI polygraph when it was administered. A prior judicial ruling already barred polygraph results from being admitted at trial and prohibited evidence about a defendant’s willingness to take a polygraph.
Defense Attorney’s Admission
In a subsequent filing, Harpootlian acknowledged his earlier courtroom statement was incorrect and apologized for the confusion. He maintained that the correction does not affect the judge’s ruling on the inadmissibility of polygraph evidence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I will tell you, Mr. Murdaugh passed a polygraph, flying colors. The same polygrapher. So, it may play a role in this trial.” — Maggie Murdaugh. He, told another attorney
- “I realize I mistakenly conflated several facts and my statement was incorrect,” — Dick Harpootlian, colors’ defense attorney
