A defamation case brought by Richard “Buster” Murdaugh Jr. against multiple defendants can move forward for now, according to a South Carolina Circuit Court judge.
Judge Heath P. Taylor on Monday denied motions by Netflix, The Cinemart, Gannett and Michael DeWitt to dismiss the case, rejecting each of the defendants’ arguments.
Murdaugh alleged the defendants “selectively crafted and interposed interviews from law enforcement, community members and media personnel” with law enforcement reports to create the defamatory implication that he was responsible for Stephen Smith’s death, according to court filings.
Smith, 19, was found dead on Sandy Run Road in Hampton County in 2015. His death was originally ruled a possible hit-and-run. Murdaugh alleges the defendants’ work falsely linked him to Smith’s death.
No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed in Smith’s death.
Murdaugh also alleged the defendants “purposefully ignored information demonstrating their falsity” that was readily available to them. Taylor ruled Murdaugh had plausibly alleged malice or negligence.
Taylor also found Netflix and The Cinemart took “creative liberties” in producing “Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal,” according to court filings.
The judge wrote that DeWitt’s appearance in the documentary...
A defamation case brought by Richard “Buster” Murdaugh Jr. against multiple defendants can move forward for now, according to a South Carolina Circuit Court judge. Judge Heath P. Taylor on Monday ...