The jury deliberated for less than three hours before convicting the 54-year-old of two counts of murder at the end of a six-week trial. He was later handed two life sentences.

Maggie and her son were shot at close range near the dog kennels on their family estate on June 7, 2021.

“This is a very complicated situation, and I want to offer my condolences to the family that has suffered here,” Prosecutor Creighton Waters said. “The reality remains is that despite all this attention, this case is about Maggie Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh, and I’m so thankful that the jurors gave them a voice.”

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Judge Clifton Newman said Murdaugh’s murder conviction qualifies for the death penalty.

“I don’t question at all the decision of the state not to pursue the death penalty. But as I sit here in this courtroom and look around at the many portraits of judges and other court officials and reflect on the fact that over the past century, your family — including you — have been prosecuting people here in this courtroom, and many have received the death penalty, probably for lesser conduct,” Newman said.