Murdaugh defence experts say son was shot in back of head at point-blank range

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View online February 27, 2023 1/ Murdaugh defence experts say son was shot in back of head at point-blank range Alex Murdaugh sobbed and rocked back and forth as two defence experts gave gruesome testimony detailing how his son Paul was shot in the back of the head at point-blank range.   Forensic pathologist Dr Jonathan Eisenstat and crime scene analyst Tim Palmbach were called as witnesses for Mr Murdaugh's defence team on Monday, where they both cast doubts on the prosecution's theory of how the murders unfolded.   Both experts testified that the killer held a shotgun to the back of Paul's head and pulled the trigger, with the force causing the 22-year-old's brain to "explode" out of his skull.   Prosecutors claim Mr Murdaugh killed his wife Maggie and his youngest son just as the personal injury lawyer's multi-million-dollar fraud scheme was about to be exposed.   Mr Murdaugh's defence team was expected to rest its case on Monday after calling its four final witnesses to the stand. 2/ Ukraine's domestic spy chief on fighting Russia across all fronts The head of the Ukraine security service speaks to Bel Trew from Kyiv about how Moscow 'will never break us down'. 3/ Shock death of US swimming champion being probed by authorities Jamie Cail was found unresponsive on 21 February by her boyfriend at the US Virgin Islands home they shared.  4/ Dilbert creator Scott Adams says publisher 'canceled' upcoming book after racism scandal Cartoonist said publisher cancelled plans for several upcoming books after he called Black people a 'hate group'.  5/ John Fetterman's wife Gisele says family forced to flee to Canada to avoid 'media circus' over depression Giselle Barreto Fetterman says unwanted attention pushed her to take the couple's children for an impromptu holiday. Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our welcome offer when you join today. The Big Question How did Russia's invasion of Ukraine draw in thousands of international volunteer fighters? In the year since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, tens of thousands of foreign volunteers from around the world have taken up arms to repel it.   Among them are military veterans, adventurists, ideological crusaders and humanitarians. Some come to reinvent themselves, others to fight for a cause.   Though they may not be large in number compared to the relative sizes of the Ukrainian and Russian armed forces, they have brought unique experience and publicity to the conflict. Read the full story > Watch/ NYPD officers who saved children during U-Haul rampage honoured at Rangers game NUMBER OF THE DAY 6bn –  The number of migrants Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed had illegally crossed the US border during Joe Biden's time in the Oval Office, a wildly inaccurate statement for which she was roundly and rightly ridiculed. QUOTE OF THE DAY "I do not know to who, but it happened. Nobody thought it was going to change anything but DJT was focused on it so we had to do something… It was doing something, mostly, to say to him, 'Hey, we did this.'" – A former aide to Donald Trump tells Rolling Stone the president insisted White House staff call Disney to stop Jimmy Kimmel making jokes about him on his ABC show Jimmy Kimmel Live! We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE Other stories you might like CDC issues warning of drug-resistant stomach infection spreading across US Governor Mike Dewine 'injured' on East Palestine tour as calls mount for his resignation Fox News refuses to air advert revealing how stars rejected Trump election fraud claims Articles available exclusively to subscribers Fergus Drake - Peace in Ukraine will depend on one crucial thing Other newsletters you might like The Race Report Fortnightly, 6pm (UK time) Written by Nadine White Sign up Morning Headlines Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by the UK team Sign up If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. Join the conversation or follow us Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Evening Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders.   If you do not want to receive The Independent's Evening Headlines newsletter, please unsubscribe.   If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe here. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our privacy notice and cookie policy.