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COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Alex Murdaugh will be sentenced Friday as his six-week-long double-murder trial comes to a close.
He was found guilty Thursday of murdering his wife Margaret and youngest son Paul at their family property in June of 2021.
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Murdaugh was indicted on two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime on July 14, 2022 – nearly a year after the killings. The indictments came amid a flurry of charges by the state on financial and other crimes.
Despite the indictments, Murdaugh has long maintained his innocence in the deaths of his wife and son and said that he looked forward to clearing his name and hoped the Attorney General would then begin “looking for the actual killer or killers” in the case.
Attorney General Alan Wilson called the verdict a win for the justice system, saying Maggie and Paul’s voices were heard tonight. State Prosecutor Creighton Waters, who tried most of the case for the state, said the verdict is proof that justice will be served in South Carolina.
Defense attorney Jim Griffin gave an emotional closing argument before deliberations started, but it was not enough to sway the jury. Griffin said his team was disappointed by the verdict, but would not comment further until after sentencing.
Sentencing is set to begin at 9:30 a.m.
ALEX MURDAUGH MURDER TRIAL LIVE BLOG:
10:12 a.m. – Court is adjourned.
10:05 a.m. – Judge Newman sentences Murdaugh to two consecutive life sentences for the murders of Maggie and Paul.
9:48 a.m. – Judge Newman speaks. He says this has been one of the most troubling cases for him as a judge, for both the prosecution and defense, for the community, the media, and the nation.
He says that a wife and son were brutally murdered and a lawyer and member of a respected family has fallen from grace.
Judge Newman references Murdaugh’s grandfather’s portrait, which was removed from the courtroom ahead of the trial.
Judge Newman says that he has this case against Murdaugh as well as at least 99 others against Murdaugh.
Judge Newman addresses Murdaugh directly. He says it was especially heartbreaking for him to see Murdaugh’s downfall because they have known each other and practiced law together for years. He says Murdaugh has engaged in “such duplicitous conduct” in the courtroom, on the witness stand, and throughout the entire investigation.
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Judge Newman says in the past 22 years, he has yet to find a murder defendant who can go back to the moment when they decided to pull the trigger and explain what happened.
Judge Newman says the case qualifies for the death penalty. The state has elected not to pursue the death penalty. Judge Newman says he doesn’t question the state’s decision not to pursue it, but he reflects on the many death penalties Murdaugh’s family has handed down over hundreds of years to people in that very courtroom, probably for lesser penalties.
He asks Murdaugh what he meant by “what a tangled web we weave.” Murdaugh says that when he lies, he continues to lie. Judge Newman asks when it will end.
Judge Newman says he is sure Murdaugh sees Paul and Maggie when he is trying to sleep. Murdaugh says all day and every night. Judge Newman says he is sure they remember the last time they looked him in the eyes.
Judge Newman asks Murdaugh again if he wants to say anything. Murdaugh says he respects the court, but he is innocent and would never hurt his wife and son. Judge Newman says it might not have been Murdaugh. It might have been the monster he becomes when he is under the influence of drugs.
Judge Newman says that he can’t imagine the pressure that was mounting on Murdaugh under the looming storm that the prosecution described.
9:40 a.m. – Court is in session.
State prosecutor Creighton Waters speaks ahead of sentencing.
He says that the verdict shows Murdaugh was a cunning manipulator who put himself above everything and everyone else, including his family.
Waters says that this case is ultimately about Maggie and Paul.
He says that no one knew who Murdaugh was. Waters says he has looked Murdaugh in the eyes and that it is chilling.
Waters says a man like this man should never see the light of day again. He asks for two consecutive life sentences.
There will be no victim impact statements because none of the victims want to speak. Waters says that the victim advocate has been working with family members, no matter their position, and none of them wished to speak.
Murdaugh addresses the court. He says he is innocent, he would never hurt Maggie, and he would never hurt PawPaw.
9:00 a.m. – Alex Murdaugh, wearing a tan jumpsuit, arrived at the Colleton County Courthouse for his sentencing.
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