Posts about Alex Murdaugh
The Jury is expected to return to court shortly to announce their verdict. Updates coming -
7:00pm Court is in session, Madam Clerk publishes the verdict.
Indictment for Murder -GUILTY
Indictment for Murder -GUILTY
Indict. for poss. of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime - GUILTY
Indict. for poss. of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime - GUILTY
Alex's face is like stone, Buster is crying quietly.
Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian requests a polling of the Jury, every Juror agrees this is their verdict. The alternate Juror is returned to the general audience. Harpootlian asks for directed verdict for a mistrial. Prosecutor Creighton Waters argues against it, the motion is denied.
Judge Newman accepts the Jury's verdict. Given the lateness of the hour and other considerations, Newman states he will "defer sentencing." The minimum sentence for the charge of murder is a term of 30 years, and a minimum of 5 years for the weapons charges. We will reconvene for sentencing in the morning. "The defendant is taken away."
Judge Newman thanks the jurors extensively for their service and gives them permission "to talk with the case with anyone and reminds them that the media is unaware of their identities. If you decide they want to speak with anyone, that is your prerogative, however, if anyone harasses you, let me know."
7:23pm - The Jury is dismissed. Although Judge Newman offered to defer sentencing to a later date Prosecutor Waters states he is ready for sentencing tomorrow morning, and the defense agrees. Sentencing is scheduled for tomorrow at 9:30am.
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Here is Prosecutor Creighton Waters shredding a guitar out a few years ago with his Sole Purpose Band - He Rocks! Word-up is that he made this video after a previous victory over Harpootlian.
🎸🎶Sole Purpose Band (SPB) -- "Already Gone" Clip with video - YouTube
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9:40am Court convened for a sentence hearing in the Murdaugh Murder Case.
Prosecutor Creighton Waters provides the judge with sentencing sheets. Waters has no victim impact statements to present but offered an eloquent statement and asks for the maximum, two life sentences. Judge Newman asks if any victim wants to speak at a later time. Alex is dressed in a tan prison jumpsuit today.
Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian declines to offer any witnesses or statements on behalf of his client, stating that the defendant wants to address the court. Alex stands:
Alex states, "I am innocent. I would never hurt my wife Maggie, and I would never hurt my son Pau- Pau."
The Judge makes final remarks -
"A man whose grandfather's portrait hung in the courthouse that I had to remove to ensure a fair trial was had by both the prosecution and the defense." As a well-known member of the legal community, you've practiced before me, and we've seen each other over the years, and it was particularly hard for me to see you change from a grieving father of a wife and son, to being the person convicted of killing them." "You've engaged in such duplicitous conduct here in the courtroom, here on the witness stand."
Judge Newman continues, "I have not been able to get anyone, any defendant, even those convicted of being guilty, to explain to me that moment in time, when they opted to pull the trigger, to commit the most heinous crime known to man."
Judge Newman states that people have been given the death penalty for lesser offenses.
The Judge asks what Alex meant when he stated in court "Oh what a tangled web we weave"... and Alex responds, "that I lied."
Judge Newman states, "A notice of alibi was filed in which Alex claimed to have been someplace else at the time was committed. Then after all the witnesses placed you at the scene, you switched courses and admitted to being there. Then that necessitated more lies, and where will it end, it won't end, but in your own soul you will have to deal with that."
Alex agrees with the Judge that Maggie and Paul visit him "every night."
Judge Newman is surprised that Alex is waiving his right to offer commentary at this time.
Alex state "I'll tell you again, I respect this court, but I would never have hurt my wife Maggie, and would never hurt my son Pau Pau.'
The Judge says "maybe it wasn't you; maybe it was the monster you become when taking large amounts of opiods. "I've seen that before."
"Without any delay, we are going to schedule the other (financial) matters." "Law enforcement has been harassed over the past few weeks by one who was able to deflect justice"
Your law firm was coming down on you for stealing a half a million dollars, and "you have a tiger like Mark Tinsley on his tail, trying to recover for Mallory Beach"
"Amazing to have you come and testify it was just another day, my wife and son and I was enjoying our day, and this was not true."
Judge Newman sentences Alex to two consecutive LIFE terms.
Alex is taken away, and Judge Newman comments about the images of the Jurors shown on camera as Alex walked in front of them yesterday.
He states that until yesterday, media has been very good about not revealing Jurors' identities. Law enforcement may decide to investigate this issue.
He also speaks to screenshots of autopsy photographs published by court viewers. Judge Newman speaks to Kobe Bryant's case, where his wife sued over leaked autopsy photos, and states the penalties can be severe.
10:13 Judge Newman slams the gavel and adjourns court.
11:00am SLED holds a press conference in front of the Courthouse.
(3) SLED holds press conference following Alex Murdaugh sentencing - YouTube
Defense Press Conference scheduled for 11:45 am - (thanks for the alert, u/rimjobnemesis)
live coverage - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpV9Db9g3BM
12:15pm - The press conference begins. Dick Harpootlian announces he will make no statement, and begins taking questions. HE STATES THEY WILL APPEAL IN 10 DAYS.
🥇 A link to prosecutor Waters shredding a guitar with his Sole Purpose Band - He ROCKS! 🥇
(2) Sole Purpose Band (SPB) -- "Already Gone" Clip with video - YouTube
Throughout disgraced former attorney Alex Murdaugh's six-week double murder trial in Walterboro, South Carolina, I listened to dozens of witnesses' testimony, viewed most of the 500 pieces of evidence presented and interviewed Murdaugh's friends about his relationship with his wife Maggie and the power of the Murdaugh name.
I have covered several high-profile criminal cases, including the exonerations of Amanda Knox and Casey Anthony. But the Murdaugh story is unique. There are multiple stories — and crimes — linked to the prominent family. There are the nearly 100 charges against Murdaugh for various financial crimes, the 2019 fatal boat crash involving his son Paul, the death of the Murdaugh family housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, and the 2015 mysterious death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith.
Murdaugh’s fall from grace is epic, and his family continues to stay in the spotlight, as many wonder what’s next for them.
To give context of the power the Murdaugh’s have wielded in the South Carolina low county: There was a portrait of Murdaugh’s grandfather — once a prominent attorney — hanging in the courtroom where Murdaugh was tried. Judge Clifton Newman had it removed for the trial. Now Murdaugh’s everlasting portrait is his post-conviction mugshot: a shaved head and jumpsuit.
On Friday, March 3, 2023, Murdaugh was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul. His attorneys said they plan to appeal his conviction.
EDIT: Thanks for all the questions! You can watch my "48 hours" report, “The Trial of Alex Murdaugh,” on the CBS News app and YouTube now.
Good morning!
Last evening, after only two and half hours, the Jury found Alex Murdaugh guilty of all charges. The jurors looked straight ahead as Alex walked by them on his way to lock-up. Alex was stone-faced and made no emotional display, his son Buster cried quietly.
At least one Juror has appeared on media, providing information that the Jury's initial vote was 9/3, and suggesting that the kennel video and lies associated with it were key in the guilty verdict. It is reported that it took 45 minutes to reach a guilty verdict.
u/Lydie9 provided this link: Murdaugh juror says cellphone video sealed disgraced attorney's fate: ABC News exclusive - ABC News (go.com)
Court resumes at 9:30 this morning for a sentence hearing to determine the length of time Alex will spend behind bars for the murders of his wife and son. Judge Newman remarked that the minimum sentence for murder is 30 years, and five years on the weapons charges. He offered to defer sentencing, to allow both teams to prepare witnesses and statements for the hearing, however these offers were declined as prosecutor Creighton Waters and defense attorney Dick Harpootlian were both ready to proceed with sentencing this morning. It's been a long trial.
Judge Newman met with attorneys in chambers about 9:30 on Wednesday night to tackle an issue with one Juror who had three limited conversations about the trial. Two individuals that the Juror had contact with were brought into that in-chambers meeting, where they 'waffled' in their explanations of what had occurred. The HOT RUMOR is that these two people are local media personalities. We'll add details as they become available.
We expect that the defense team will appeal Alex's conviction. We'll keep you updated on that, as well on the upcoming court case for his 99 financial fraud indictments.
9:40am - Judge Newman calls court to order. Alex appears in a tan jumpsuit and handcuffs.
Prosecutor Creighton Waters provides the judge with sentencing sheets. Waters has no victim impact statements to present but offered an eloquent statement, asks for the maximum, two life sentences. Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian offers no comment, but states Alex would like to make a statement:
ALEX stands to address the court: "I am innocent I would never hurt my wife Maggie, and I would never hurt my son Pau- Pau."
Judge Newman makes final remarks - A wife who's been killed, a son who's been savagely murdered, a lawyer, a person from a respected family who has controlled justice in this community for over a century. A person whose grandfather's portrait hung in the back of the courthouse, that I had to have ordered removed to ensure that a fair trial was had by both the State and the defense."
And I've sat through the trial not only but as the presiding judge of the state grand jury, I've sat through and participated in the issuance of search warrants of various sorts, bond hearings, and have had to consider many things. I have this case, and I'm also assigned to preside over... at least 99 other cases. Although testimony has come up regarding many of those other cases, I will not make any remark on the pending cases as I have been assigned to them as well."
It's also particularly troubling, Mr. Murdoch, because as a member of the legal community, and as a well-known member of the legal community, you've practiced before me, and we've seen each other at various occasions throughout the years, and it was especially heartbreaking particularly hard for me to see you go in the media from being a grieving father who lost a wife and son, to being the person indicted and convicted of killing them."
"And you've engaged in such duplicitous conduct here in the courtroom, here on the witness stand, and as established by the testimony throughout the time leading to the indictment to the trial to this moment in time, ah , certainly you have no obligation to say anything other than saying "not guilty" Probably expected or absolutely expected I would not expect a confession of any kind.
"In fact as I've presided over murder cases over the past 22 years, I have yet get anyone, find a defendant who could go there, who go to that moment in time, when they decided to pull the trigger or to otherwise murder someone. I have not been able to get anyone, any defendant even those who have confessed to being guilty, to go back and explain to me what happened at that moment in time when they opted to pull the trigger, when they opted to commit the most heinous crime known to man."
"And this case qualifies under our death penalty statute based on the statutory aggravating circumstances of two or more people being murdered by the defandant." I don't question at all the decision of the State not to pursue the death penalty. But as I sit here in the courtroom and look around at all the portraits of judges and court officials and reflect over the past century your family including you have been prosecuting here in this courtroom, and many have received the death penalty, probably for lesser conduct."
"Remind me of the expression you gave on the witness stand.....'oh what a tangled web we weave', what did you mean by that?" Judge Newman asks. Alex responds, "I meant that when I lied, I continued to lie."
"And the question is 'when will it end, when will it end. And, it's ended already for the Jury because they've concluded that you continued to lie and lie throughout your testimony. And, perhaps with all the throng of people here they for the most part all believe or 80 or 90, 99% believe you continued to lie in your denial to the court." Perhaps you believe it does not matter, that there is nothing that could mitigate a sentence given the crimes that were committed."
Judge Newman states "A notice of alibi was filed in this case, in November, and we conducted a hearing, pre-trial hearing in which you claimed to be someplace else at the time was committed. Then after all the witnesses placed you at the scene of the crime, at the last minute,... last minutes or days, you switched courses and admitted to being there. Then that necessitated more lies, and continued to lie, and I said where will it end. It's already ended for many who have heard you and concluded that it'll never end. But within your own soul you have to deal with that."
"And I know you have to see Paul and Maggie during the nighttime as you try to go to sleep. I'm sure they come and visit you. I'm sure. Alex agrees with the Judge that "Maggie and Paul visit him every night."
And I'm sure they look you in the eyes as you looked the Jury in the eyes. I don't know a person whose always been such a friendly, gregarious cause your life to be tangled in such a weaved web, such a that you've spun into. And it's unfortunate because you had such a lovely family of such friendly people, including you. And to go from that to this.
Your license to practice law has been stripped away from you. You've turned from lawyer to witness, and now have an opportunity to make your final appeal as an ex-lawyer, and it's.... really surprising that you're waiving your right at this time. But if you opt to do so it's on you. You're not compelled to say anything. But you have the opportunity to do so.
Alex states, "I'll tell you again, I respect this court, but I'm innocent. I would never, under any circumstances hurt my wife Maggie, and would under any circumstances hurt my son Pau Pau.'
Judge Newman says "And it might not have been you. Maybe it wasn't you; maybe it was the monster you become when taking 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 opioid pills. Maybe you become another person. I've seen that before. The person standing before me did not commit the crime, though it's the same individual. We'll leave that at that."
Before we announce sentence in this case, in regard to all the other pending cases, are any of them in Colleton? Prosecutor Waters answers that the cases are spread around.
Ah, we may have worn out our welcome here in Colleton and take this opportunity to thank Sheriff Hill and all of the court officials and really everyone I've met and dealt with here in Colleton County. They've just been great. But without any delay, we are going to schedule the other (financial) matters."
There are other cases that deserve to be heard, and we have jumped other cases, perhaps jumped it because of the assault on the integrity of the judicial in our state, law enforcement in our state. Even law enforcement has been harrassed for the last few weeks, by one who had access to the wheels of justice to be able to deflect the investigation and as evidence as pointed out in this case, the looming storm that Mr. Waters talked about.
"I can just imagine that day on June the 7th, when a lawyer confesses to having stolen over half a million dollars from a client and he has a tiger like Mark Tinsley on his tail, pursuing discovery in the case involving the death of Mallory Beach. And having a father, for the most part, on his death bed. I could imagine, I really can't imagine, I know it had to have been quite a bit going through your mind on that day. But amazingly, to have you come and testify that it was just another ordinary day. That my wife and son and I were out just enjoying life. Not credible, not believable. You can convince yourself about it, but obviously you have the inability to convince anyone else about that.
If you made any such arguments as a lawyer you would lose every case like that, cases you will never have the opportunity to argue anymore except perhaps your own as you sit in the department of corrections."
Mr. Murdaugh, I sentence you to the State Department of Corrections on each of the murder indictments, for the murder of your wife, I sentence you for the term of the rest of your natural life. For the murder of Paul Murdaugh, whom you probably loved so much, I sentence you to prison for murdering him for the rest of your natural life. Those sentences will run consecutively. Under the statute involving a weapon during a violent crime, there is no sentence, where a life sentence is imposed on other indictments.
That is the sentence of the court, and you are remanded to the State Department of Corrections."
The gray-haired man who has been seated behind Alex every day in court, is today wearing a law enforcement uniform. He leads Alex away.
Judge Newman comments about the images of the Jurors shown on camera as Alex walked in front of them yesterday.
He states that until yesterday, media has been very good about not revealing Jurors' identities. Law enforcement may decide to investigate this issue.
He also speaks to screenshots of autopsy photographs published by court viewers. Judge Newman speaks to Kobe Bryant's case, where his wife sued over leaked autopsy photos, and states the penalties can be severe.
10:13am Judge Newman slams the gavel and adjourns court.
11:00am SLED holds a press conference in front of the Courthouse.
(3) SLED holds press conference following Alex Murdaugh sentencing - YouTube
Defense Press Conference scheduled for 11:45 am - (thanks for the alert u/rimjobnemesis)
live coverage - (3) Law Enforcement, Attorneys Hold Press Conference Following Alex Murdaugh Sentencing - YouTube
12:15pm - The press conference begins. Dick Harpootlian announces he will make no statement, and begins taking questions, and states HE STATES THEY WILL APPEAL IN 10 DAYS
🥇 A link to prosecutor Waters shredding a guitar with his Sole Purpose Band - He ROCKS! 🥇
(2) Sole Purpose Band (SPB) -- "Already Gone" Clip with video - YouTube
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LIVESTREAM OF TODAY'S TRIAL:
Law & Crime: (1) WATCH LIVE: Murdaugh Murders Trial — SC v. Alex Murdaugh — Sentencing — Day 27 - YouTube
News 19: (2) Live: Alex Murdaugh murder trial sentencing livestream - March 3 - WARNING: Graphic - YouTube
Avery Wilks' Twitter Feed: (6) Avery G. Wilks (@AveryGWilks) / Twitter
Drew Tripp's Twitter Feed: (6) Drew Tripp (@DrewTripp) / Twitter
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u/Southern-Soulshine posted a second poll when the defense rested. Over 10,000 redditors voted; see the results here: (3) MurdaughFamilyMurders (reddit.com)
*A big WELCOME to all of our new members! MurdaughFamilyMurders subreddit has more than doubled in membership over the past few weeks, over 54,000 as of last night. Grab a cuppa and join our cozy room for the latest news and interesting commentary!
*Visit our collections, which are updated daily. We've updated Moselle photos and our daily trial summaries. Corrections and additions are greatly appreciated!
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Media Channels are overflowing with Murdaugh reviews and reactions -
Here are some of the latest:
J. D - A Lawyer Explains - Did we see Remorse, Regret, or Guilt on Display on Thursday -
(1) Did We See Remorse, Regret or Guilt on Display on Thursday - YouTube
Harvard Lawyer Lee - Closing Arguments!! Lawyer Reacts
(1) Murdaugh: Closing Arguments!! Lawyer Reacts - YouTube
J. D. - A Lawyer Explains - Some Observations on the Murdaugh Closing by the State
(2) Some Observations on the Murdaugh Closing by the State - YouTube
And links to photos and videos of Moselle -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf04AGnuFKM
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For the latest news coverage, here are some of u/Coy9ine's excellent media posts:
The State -
Post & Courier -
Greenville News -
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/23/us/key-moments-alex-murdaugh-trial-testimony/index.html
I haven't heard of this story until this week. But this murder trial is on every network and is a top story on every news page. What makes Alex Murdaugh's case so important compared to any other murder trial?
I understand he's a rich lawyer with a substance abuse problem, but it doesn't seem like he had any media presence or political power*. OJ Simpson was at least a big celebrity, so there was national public interest there. But why all the focus on this particular trial?
*on a national level
edit: Well my question has been answered, and then some! I had no idea how high-profile this case was, or all the true-crime media drama surrounding it. Now my wife and I are fully invested, we'll probably start watching the Netflix show after work today. I'm enjoying reading everyone's discussion about the case too.