Top photo: Dean Tom Reichert, William Buchheit, Bonnie Salvatierra, Mellnee Buchheit, Valerie Bauerlein, Phillip Buchheit and Damion Waymer

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The leap from writing a 3,500-word article to writing a 128,000-word book is a big one.

At last night’s Buchheit Family Lecture, Valerie Bauerlein, Wall Street Journal reporter and author of “The Devil at His Elbow,” explained why the jump was necessary to examine the intricacies of the Alex Murdaugh murder trial. 

“Part of what I wanted to do was really convey what I understand about history, what I understand about the place [Hampton County], but then also what it means, what the loss is out there,” said Bauerlein. 

For the students in the room, the lecture was a case study in best practices for journalists. Bauerlein meticulously noted her sources at the end of the book so that readers would be able to examine the documents for themselves.

Acknowledging the members of the Buchheit family attending the lecture, Bauerlein said. “I really think journalism needs your support now as much as it ever has. You have brought so many talented journalists to this campus and it's humbling to be with you.”

School of Journalism and Mass Communications Director Damion Waymer asked Bauerlein to share a parting thought for the audience to reflect on.

Her response: “I'd say that remembering the core sadness of this case, the violence and the loss — and that there were people whose lives were destroyed over generations — is really important.”