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.