The video above plays a live feed of Alex Murdaugh’s sentencing from 9:30am on Friday.
WALTERBORO, SC (AP) — Judge Clifton Newman sentenced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh to two consecutive life sentences without parole on Friday, a day after he was convicted of murder in the shooting of his wife and son.
Murdaugh will soon be taken to a state prison where he will be held under top security.
While Murdaugh stood in court to learn his fate, he found himself in the same circuit courtroom where his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather tried cases as elected prosecutor for over 80 years. His grandfather’s portrait hung in the back of the room until the judge ordered it removed before trial.
Instead of the shirt and sport coat he wore during the six-week trial, the lawyer who made millions suing major corporations on behalf of people injured in wrecks arrived in New York the day after he was convicted of two murders. a prison jumpsuit at court. .
Prosecutor Creighton Waters said none of the crime victims — members of Murdaugh’s family and his wife’s parents and relatives — would speak for the prosecution before issuing a conviction. Waters asked for consecutive life sentences for Murdaugh.
“The depravity, callousness and selfishness of these crimes are astonishing. The lack of remorse and the effortless manner in which he sits, also here, there on this witness stand — Your Honor, such a man, a man as this man, should never be allowed among free, law-abiding citizens,” Waters said.
Alex Murdaugh, Judge Clifton Newman exchange before sentencing
Murdaugh testified before his sentencing.
“I’m innocent. I would never hurt Maggie. And I would never hurt Paul Paul,” he said.
Newman testified leading up to the sentencing, questioning Murdaugh about his testimony when he said, “When you said, what a tangled web we weave? What did you mean?”
“I meant when I lied, I kept lying,” Murdaugh said.
“When Will It End?” continued Newman.
Murdaugh again denied his innocence before sentencing.
“I respect this court, but I would never kill Maggie or Paul Paul,” he said.
Newman replied, “Maybe it wasn’t you. Maybe it was the monster you become when you take 40, 50, 60 opioid pills.”
At 10:13 p.m. he banged the gavel: “The court is adjourned.”
The minimum sentence for murder in South Carolina is 30 years, with a maximum of life in prison. The state is demanding life without parole.
More than 75 witnesses were called and about 800 photos, reports and documents were presented as evidence. Jurors visited the crime scene Wednesday before the prosecution and defense delivered closing arguments for two days.
As closing arguments concluded on Thursday, the judge handed over Murdaugh’s fate to the jurors, who took less than three hours to come back with their verdict.
Murdaugh’s legal team will not comment ahead of sentencing.
Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin said they will address the media outside the Colleton County Courthouse after the sentencing hearing.
Parker Law Group issued the following statement Thursday night:
“The actions of Alex Murdaugh are shocking to all of us. Tonight’s verdict, which was handed down after a thorough and fair trial, brings justice and some closure to this terrible case. Maggie and Paul died tragically and for reasons we may not will never fully understand. They were dearly loved, and we will forever mourn their loss.”
What charges is Alex Murdaugh still facing?
When news of the mother and son’s deaths broke on June 8, 2021, no one knew it would lead to multiple charges against Alex Murdaugh and over 100 charges and a story that has the media and true crime buffs wondering: what now? ? And even with the verdict, that question remains.
Murdaugh has 100 other charges, ranging from tax evasion to drug possession, still to come, even though the double murder charges have been settled.
In total, through 19 state indictments with charges against Murdaugh, the State Grand Jury indicted Murdaugh for schemes to defraud victims of $8,789,447.77 and the state of South Carolina of $486,819, a release from the SC Attorney General’s stated Office.
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This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Murdaugh trial live stream, updates: sentenced to life
