Last Podcast On The Left Side Stories: Dig Me A Grave w/ Dick Harpootlian
Nov 26, 2025
Dick Harpootlian, a seasoned attorney and former South Carolina senator, dives into his new book, detailing his harrowing prosecution of serial killer Pee Wee Gaskins. He shares chilling tales of Gaskins' crimes, including a shocking prison murder involving C4 explosives. Harpootlian also discusses complex legal themes like capital punishment and his connections to the infamous Murdaugh family, reflecting on public backlash and the emotional toll of his work. This conversation serves as a gripping glimpse into the dark corridors of criminal justice.
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Personal Threats During The Gaskins Prosecution
- Dick Harpootlian recounts prosecuting Pee Wee Gaskins and the threats Gaskins made against his family, including a plot to kidnap his four-year-old daughter.
- Harpootlian describes living with armed agents for two weeks while investigators unraveled the threat and later quitting the job six weeks after the trial due to trauma.
How Furman Reshaped Sentencing Risks
- Furman v. Georgia wiped out many death sentences and changed how Gaskins' punishments were handled.
- Harpootlian explains that sentence structure then meant life sentences still allowed parole eligibility after ten years, creating dangerous outcomes.
Recorded Prison Plots And The C4 Bomb Plan
- Harpootlian played recorded prison conversations where Gaskins detailed plotting kills and smuggling explosives into prison.
- The interview includes an audio excerpt where Gaskins describes rigging a radio with a blasting cap to blow a fellow inmate's head off.
