Alex Murdaugh, a solicitor from the controversial Murdaugh law family of South Carolina, was sentenced to life in prison without parole Friday after being convicted of murdering his wife and son.
A jury found Alex guilty of both murders, and he was also charged with two counts of possessing a weapon during a violent crime. Judge Clifton Newman presided over the case and announced the two-term sentence in the courtroom on March 3 at around 10 am.
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After being sentenced to life in prison, Murdaugh was released into the custody of the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Wearing a brown jumpsuit and handcuffs, he could be seen exiting the courtroom with a law enforcement official guiding him.
“Buster is next! Your son is next Alex,” someone from the crowd yelled at Alex, as he was being escorted to the transportation van.
Someone yells at #AlexMurdaugh “Buster is next! Your son is next Alex!” as he’s escorted to the transportation van. pic.twitter.com/8aQJj6a0Jd
— Daniel Alvarado (@RockinDTx) March 3, 2023
Buster Murdaugh, Alex’s only surviving son, remained emotionless and took occasional sips from a plastic water bottle as the sentence was being announced.
Handcuffed Murdaugh was led from the courtroom, he said a few words to his lawyer but did not turn to look at Buster, who remained seated.
“I’m innocent,” Murdaugh said when given the chance to address the court.
“I would never hurt my wife, Maggie, and I would never hurt my son Paw Paw,” he added.
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After six weeks of wild testimony, the jury reached its verdict on Thursday night after less than three hours of deliberation.
Murdaugh is now likely to start intake and evaluation processing, which is expected to take several weeks, as per the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. The average time is normally around 45 days.
Murdaugh will stay in a holding facility in Columbia, South Carolina, during that period, according to a South Carolina legal source with knowledge of the situation.
Also Read | Alex Murdaugh’s brown jumpsuit at sentencing hearing mocked
During the sentencing hearing, Newman said he had to have a portrait of Murdaugh’s grandfather removed from the courthouse to ensure a fair trial.