Nephi here reveals the murderer, Seantum, the judge’s brother. Nephi dictates the language of the accusation and predicts Seantum’s denial.
Culture: Mormon is interested in this story because it validates Nephi’s prophethood, not because of Gadianton politics. However, this fratricidal murder is another glimpse into the kin-group relationships of Mesoamerican politics. Succession frequently went from brother to brother rather than from father to son. It seems likely that Seantum would have been the most logical successor to Seezoram; he therefore had powerful political and economic incentives to commit murder. (See commentary accompanying Helaman 6:17.)