What a week. And what a homecoming.
After seven weeks on the road, there was something grounding about being back in South Carolina covering a case that so many of you have followed from the beginning. And to see more than 4,000+ viewers on the public Luna Shark YouTube stream — plus hundreds of Premium Members interacting with us inside our Premium feed — reminded me why this work matters. Special thanks to Eric Alan Media for being our boots-on-the-ground as he navigated the tech side to produce a flawless feed despite random return times, some audio hum from time to time and some interesting courtroom IT challenges.🙂
Here’s where we stand after four full days of testimony in the Stand Your Ground hearing in the civil wrongful death case brought by the wildly inspiring Jennifer Spivey for her brother Scott Spivey.
Day One centered on civilian witnesses and responding officers. We heard about the driving on Highway 9, the alleged gun waving, the chaos, the fear. Competing narratives began to form: Was this a reckless driver escalating everything — or did the pursuit/following/chase itself change the legal equation?
Day Two brought forensic clarity. The medical examiner confirmed Scott died from a gunshot entering near his right axillary back region. Toxicology showed a 0.130 BAC. The defense floated steroid theories (by a first-time-court-expert pharmacology professor who studies THC on Zebra Finch Birds… seriously the cross examination of this guy had us rolling) that ultimately lacked toxicological support. The physical evidence sharpened the debate but didn’t resolve the legal question.
Day Three was pivotal. Crime scene mapping, vehicle positioning, and then Weldon Boyd’s testimony. His 911 call — “If he keeps this up, I’m going to have to shoot him” — hung heavy in the courtroom. His demeanor? Oddly familiar. If you’ve covered Alex Murdaugh long enough, you recognize a certain tone: calm, selective memory, emotional when useful. The difference here is the legal posture. Boyd needed to prove he didn’t “bring on the difficulty.” That became the battleground.
Day Four brought digital forensics, speed mapping, audio analysis suggesting two firearms, and finally anything but brief closing arguments from the defense. Bradley Williams took the stand — and during Mark Tinsley’s cross, that confidence tipped into something bordering on arrogance. The posture. The tone. The insistence. It was noticeable. I’ll just say this: arrogance doesn’t play well when you’re trying to convince a judge you were a reluctant participant. Mark Tinsley’s cross-examination was surgical, and Williams’ admission that he was “in full agreement” with the pursuit may have sealed his yet-to-be-determined fate.
And then — Judge Eugene “Bubba” Griffith… Ruled… partially at least…
Measured. Patient. Thorough. And even fun and funny at times! He let everyone be heard. He asked thoughtful questions. He didn’t rush. After covering courtrooms across South Carolina for years, I cannot overstate how refreshing it was to watch a judge who was patient, attentive, and genuinely engaged with the evidence. He pushed back when lawyers wandered. And when he ruled, he explained exactly why. That’s how it’s supposed to work…
And ultimately, he ruled: Weldon Boyd is not immune. (And TBD on Bradley…)
That matters.
Under South Carolina law, immunity isn’t about who fired first. It’s about whether you helped create the fatal encounter… whether you had a hand (or just a trigger finger) in “Bringing the Difficulty”. Judge Griffith’s ruling means a jury will likely get to hear this case — at least as to Boyd.
Judge Griffith questioned Weldon Boyd’s assertion that he was not looking for help by contacting law enforcement. Judge Griffith referenced Boyd and William’s knowledge about Spivey’s “foolish behavior” but stated that keeping up with an armed foolish person is also foolish.
Bradley Williams’ fate is uncertain. Both Plaintiff and Defense will write orders to Deny Immunity and Grant Immunity respectively specifically for Williams…. Judge Griffith will accept both proposed orders in 2 weeks and he will make a decision on defendant Williams after reviewing evidence and arguments further.
Judge Eugene C. Griffith emphasized the need for independent orders from the team that should be delivered simultaneously before Friday, March 6th, 2026 at noon… though that delivery does not guarantee a decision for Williams that day.
For Jennifer Spivey, that is not closure. But it is accountability moving forward. The road ahead will likely include motions, those written orders on Bradley’s fate for the judge to choose from, and almost certainly appellate maneuvering. Civil litigation is long. But immunity has been overcome… for Boyd at least.
And that changes everything.
To our listeners and especially Premium Members: thank you. Your support allows us to sit through four full days of complex legal testimony and break it down with context and clarity. It allows us to livestream responsibly, archive exhibits, and continue pursuing truth without corporate pressure.
It feels good to be home in South Carolina as this is just one of a few legal battles were watching / covering / unfortunately involved in… But we’re determined to move into the fray strategically to pursue our mission of giving voice to victims, exposing the truth and getting the story straight.
And we’re just getting started…
With Pesky Gratitude,
Mandy Matney
Journalist, CEO of LUNASHARK® Media
Creator of True Sunlight, Cup of Justice and Murdaugh Murders Podcast 
Executive Producer of Murdaugh Death in the Family AND the Murdaugh Death in the Family Official Podcast
