Facing Evil: Writing the Haunting Story of a Serial Killer with Richard A. Harpootlian

Please join us on Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. PT with Richard A. Harpootlian as he discusses his book Dig Me a Grave: The Inside Story of the Serial Killer Who Seduced the South. 

Richard Harpootlian, a graduate of Clemson University and the University of South Carolina’s School of Law, has served as chief homicide prosecutor (personally prosecuting hundreds of murder cases, including 12 death penalty cases) and was elected as 5th Circuit Solicitor for Richland and Kershaw Counties. He was elected to Richland County Council from 1986 to 1991, became Chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party from 1998 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2013, and served on the State Senate of South Carolina from 2018 to 2024. His book, Dig Me a Grave: The Inside Story of the Serial Killer Who Seduced the South, written with Shaun Assael, details the story of notorious serial killer Donald “Pee Wee” Gaskins, who is known to have killed over a dozen people, including a toddler and his own young niece, and who claimed to have killed hundreds.

Since prosecuting Gaskins, Harpootlian has found success as a noted civil and criminal defense attorney, including the case of Alex Murdaugh. In addition, he has been the husband of the American Ambassador to Slovenia.

He remains haunted by his encounters with Gaskins, who planned and was thwarted at an attempt to harm Harpootlian’s young daughter. Harpootlian’s book recounts what it is like to face true evil.

DickHarpootlian.com