Swamp Kings: The Story of the Murdaugh Family of South Carolina & a Century of Backwoods Power

Deep in the swamps of Hampton County, SC, the century-long reign of the Murdaugh family took hold in 1920 when Randolph Murdaugh began to serve as circuit solicitor. Four consecutive Randolphs followed, three of whom served as prosecuting attorneys for Hampton County from 1920 to 2006. Journalist Ryan (Race to Hawaii) digs into the corruption and quid pro quo that informed the judicial system in the county for a century. The Murdaughs ran the court and could convict or decline to press charges based on what a person could do for them. Narrator Joe Hempel delivers the story of Alex Murdaugh matter-of-factly, helping listeners smell the fetid swamp air by switching to Low Country accents to voice the inhabitants of this rural county. Though Hempel’s narration is strong, abrupt timeline changes and forays into the swamp’s background, the history of both Wade Hampton III and the county that bears his name, and other Murdaughs throughout history demand listeners’ careful attention. Extensive background information reveals the recipe for how this entitled criminal came to be.