Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison, lawyers plan to appeal

WALTERBORO, S.C. (WIS) - Disbarred Lowcountry attorney Alex Murdaugh was sentenced Friday morning for the June 7, 2021, murders of his wife Maggie, and son Paul.

The Jury convicted Murdaugh, 54, of two counts of murder and two weapons charges. Murdaugh faced 30 years to life in prison for each of the two murder charges and up to five years for both weapons charges.

The court reconvened at 9:30 a.m. You can watch the stream on our Youtube channel.

Judge Clifton Newman sentenced Murdaugh to consecutive sentences of life in prison on both murder charges.

Newman said,

“You have a wife who’s been killed, murdered a son who’s been savagely murdered. A lawyer, a person from a respected family.”

“A person whose grandfather’s portrait hangs at the back of the courthouse that I had to have ordered removed to ensure that a fair trial was had.”

Newman told Murdaugh, “I know you have to see Paul and Maggie in the nighttime when you go to sleep.”

WANT TO CATCH UP ON THE TRIAL FROM THE BEGINNING? CLICK THE LINK HERE.

Murdaugh spoke briefly during the sentencing, “I respect this court, but I’m innocent. I would never under any circumstances hurt my wife maggie and I would never under any circumstances hurt my son Paul Paul.”

Murdaugh’s defense team held a post-sentencing conference. Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian said Murdaugh’s team plans to file an appeal within 10 days.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said his offices will defend the case and expressed confidence in their ability to do so.

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