Former South Carolina attorney, Alex Murdaugh, received two life sentences to be served consecutively for murdering his son and wife. Judge Clifton Newman handed down the disgraced lawyer’s sentencing before noontime ET.
Yesterday, the jury deliberated for a few hours before handing in the guilty verdict. As he stood before Judge Newman waiting for his sentence, Murdaugh continued to maintain his innocence. Claiming he would never hurt or kill “Maggie” (his wife) or “Paul Paul” (his son). He refused to plead his case before Judge Newman cast his decision.
Judge’s Statement
The judge pointed out that the state could have sought out the death penalty. As the judge spoke to Murdaugh he asked him “What was it you said during your testimony? ‘Oh what a tangled web we weave.'” He stated that he felt that was what the defendant had done, tangled himself in lies. In the beginning, he maintained that he was not in the vicinity days, hours, or moments prior to his family’s brutal murder. Only to change his testimony later on after several witnesses testified to seeing or hearing him there.
Murdaugh commented that he did not kill his wife or child. Saying he “would never kill my son, who I loved. I am innocent… I am not the person who did this.” Judge Newman retorted that maybe he wasn’t “the person who killed your wife and the son you loved.” Adding that maybe it was the person he had become because of the 50, 60, or 70 pills he had been on. The judge pointed out he had seen that be the case many times.
Judge Newman said that he was sure that Murdaugh will see his son and wife every night before he fell asleep. Adding that he would probably remember the look in their eyes in the final moments. Murdaugh said he saw them “all day, every day.”
Murdaugh Faces Other Charges
The courtroom was silent for the most part, aside from a few gasps when the judge handed down his decision. After the verdict, Murdaugh was shuffled out in chains to remain behind bars until his next court appearance. He still has close to 100 other charges he is facing. Judge Newman will be presiding over those cases as well.
Before the judge made his decision the defense had requested a mistrial. However, Newman denied the request saying there was a surmount of evidence to the contrary.
By Sheena Robertson
Source:
CNN: Live feed of the Murdaugh Case
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Geoff Livingston‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Matthias Müller’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
