Repercussions Over Murdaugh Movies
Buster Murdaugh, the last living son of convicted murderer, Alex Murdaugh, has instigated a lawsuit against several heavyweights in media and entertainment, Netflix, Warner Brothers, and Gannett among them. This action also targets Blackfin, Inc., Campfire Studio, The Cinemart, and a prominent name in news, Michael M. DeWitt, Jr., the editor of Hampton County Guardian published by Gannett.
Buster Blames Media for Baseless Accusations
The lawsuit alleges that the above-mentioned companies have inaccurately tied him to the tragic death of Stephen Smith, his former classmate, through a series of documentaries and stories. This claim is as per documents that WCSC acquired.
Understanding the Context
Stephen Smith was a 19-year-old who was found dead on a road in Hampton County, South Carolina, on July 8, 2015. After close investigation, it was concluded that Smith had died due to injuries incurred from being struck by a motor vehicle in a hit-and-run.
Deepening Murdaugh Family Mystery
In an interesting turn of events, Smith’s case was once again placed under investigation following the shocking discovery of the Amy and Paul Murdaugh who were found shot dead near their family kennel on June 7, 2021. Alex Murdaugh, Buster’s father, was convicted of these murders after a tense trial that lasted six weeks, in March 2023. He is paying for his horrendous crimes serving two life sentences.
Unraveling Connections
Whilst scrutinizing the double murder case of Amy and Paul Murdaugh, investigators stumbled upon information related to Smith’s death. This discovery caused them to reopen the case. The authorities refrained from revealing exact details but shared that Smith’s death was an “intentional killing”. This sparked rumors about Buster’s possible involvement.
Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal
Buster’s lawsuit points to Netflix’s “Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal” as one of the culprits. In the series, a reenactment features “a young man with red hair” possessing a baseball bat, supposedly representing battering Stephen Smith to death. Considering Buster’s distinguishing red hair, the plaintiff claims he is being depicted as the perpetrator of Smith’s murder.
Eyeing other Controversial Portrayals
Furthermore, Buster also has qualms with how he’s portrayed in other productions including “Murdaugh Murders: Deadly Dynasty,” which is a product of Blackfin and streamed by Warner Brothers on Investigation Discovery. He also maintains issues with “Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty,” created and produced by Campfire Studios and streamed on Max via Warner Bros.
Defending his Position
According to the lawsuit, law enforcement bodies have not raised any allegations against Buster concerning Stephen Smith’s death. Buster vehemently denies his involvement in the murder, dismissing it as unfounded gossip. The lawsuit states that the implications against Buster were made carelessly, ignorant to the truth.
In a heated world of shocking revelations, Buster Murdaugh finds himself fighting media and entertainment giants. Whether these defamation claims will stand in court, remains to be seen. As the Murdaugh family saga continues, let’s stay tuned for more updates.