Day 29: Murdaugh sentenced to life, attorneys say they’ll appeal to US Supreme Court if needed

Alex Murdaugh, a once prominent Hampton-based attorney from a well-known politically connected family, is on trial in the deaths of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul.

Murdaugh has pleaded not guilty. He faces a minimum sentence of 30 years for each murder charge up to life in prison without parole. The trial started Jan. 23 with jury selection, opening arguments and the initial round of witness testimony.

How to watch the Murdaugh double murder trial, who to follow from The State, Island Packet

12:27 p.m. — Griffin: Family still supports Alex

Defense attorney Jim Griffin said after six weeks of trial, Murdaugh’s family still supports him and is “more convinced” that Murdaugh did not kill Maggie and Paul.

Harpootlian told press the prosecution won the case the moment Judge Clifton Newman allowed the admission of financial evidence.

Harpootlian and Griffin said they will file an appeal at the U.S. Supreme Court level, if necessary.

“We feel strongly that if we lose in the state courts, we will be successful at the federal level,” Griffin said.

12:20 p.m. — Murdaugh defense team holds press conference

Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian has begun his press conference.

He said he did not believe it was a mistake to place Murdaugh on the stand. He also indicated the defense team will not issue their own statement, but will take questions from the press.

When asked why the state hadn’t sought the death penalty, Harpootlian said based on his experience defending and prosecuting such cases, circumstantial evidence is likely not enough for a jury to convict the accused.

He added there were still “extensive issues” with the prosecution’s case, particularly the lack of physical evidence.

“I think SLED needs to do some self-examination on their forensic processing,” Harpootlian said.

Harpootlian said he expects to file an appeal notice in 10 days and still believes Murdaugh is innocent.

“The admission of all the financial crime evidence (is the strongest grounds for appeal),” defense attorney Jim Griffin said. “That was being offered as motive for why he would go home and kill his wife and son, which is illogical and ludicrous.”

Griffin also took issue with the state offering financial evidence based on motive. In prosecutor John Meadors’ closing statement, he noted prosecutors didn’t have to prove motive, only malice.

Griffin said that was contradictory to the earlier reasons to include the evidence, even if it is “technically” correct.

10:52 a.m. — Murdaugh defense team will speak at 11:45

Sources confirmed to The State court reporter John Monk defense attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin will hold a press conference at 11:45 a.m.

During Murdaugh’s sentencing, Judge Clifton Newman said he expects defense to appeal the Colleton County jury’s guilty verdict.

10:45 a.m. — SLED chief holds press conference

SLED Chief Mark Keel is now addressing media outside the Colleton County courthouse.

“For those of y’all in the local media, you know I don’t do very many press conferences. I’ve been chief of SLED for 12 years, and I’ve only done two,” Keel said. “But today it’s important for me to speak out. It’s important because of the victims in this case. It’s important because Maggie and Paul cannot.”

The last time Keel spoke at a press conference, he said, was following Maggie and Paul Murdaugh’s deaths in June 2021.

Keel added “there are no winners” in the murder case, despite the state securing its guilty verdict.

He went on to praise the dedication and professionalism of SLED’s staff and investigators, who were continuously undercut by Murdaugh’s defense team for shortcomings in the murder investigation.

“Alex Murdaugh has now rightfully been found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie, and his son, Paul,” Keel said. “This case serves notice to anyone who aided or assisted Alex Murdaugh in committing any crime, that justice will be served.”

10:27 a.m. — Defense team will address media

Alex Murdaugh’s defense team announced Thursday evening they will speak to the press today about an hour after sentencing ended.

Prosecutors held their own press conference Thursday evening, praising the jurors for delivering “justice” and “being a voice” for Paul and Maggie Murdaugh.

10:15 a.m. — Court adjourned

For “one of few times” throughout the course of Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial, Judge Clifton Newman slammed his gavel and adjourned court for the final time.

Murdaugh was convicted of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh’s murders after maintaining he was never at the kennels where they died for over a year and a half. After being convicted and receiving two concurrent life sentences for the murders, he continued to proclaim his innocence.

Murdaugh still faces over 90 criminal charges for the financial schemes he confessed to during his testimony. Newman will oversee Murdaugh’s financial trial as well.

As spectators left the courtroom, the Murdaugh family exited, flanked by Colleton County deputies. None of the Murdaughs spoke with the media, but asked for “prayers and privacy.”

Alex Murdaugh was remanded to the state department of corrections for custody.

10:08 a.m. — Alex receives life sentence

Judge Clifton Newman has issued Murdaugh two life sentences for the murders of his wife and son, Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.

10:01 a.m. — Newman: ‘I know that you have to see Maggie and Paul’

During the sentencing of Alex Murdaugh, Judge Clifton Newman addressed Murdaugh directly.

“I know that you have to see Paul and Maggie in the night time when you are attempting to go to sleep. I’m sure that they come and visit you,” Newman said. “I’m sure. I’m sure they will continue to do so, and reflect on the last time they looked you in the eyes.”

Murdaugh continued to proclaim his innocence after being convicted of the murders on Thursday.

“I respect this court, but I’m innocent. I would never, under any circumstances hurt my wife Maggie, I would never, under any circumstances, hurt my son Paul Paul,” Murdaugh said.

Newman agreed, in a way, suggesting Murdaugh’s drug addiction may have altered him in the moment.

“It might not have been you. It might have been the monster you become when you take 15, 20, 40, 60 opioid pills. Maybe you become a different person,” Newman said.

9:55 a.m. — Judge prepares to sentence Alex

Judge Clifton Newman has begun addressing Murdaugh, explaining his rationale for his upcoming sentence in what he called one of the most “troubling” cases in state history.

“You practiced law before me, and we’ve seen each other at various occasions throughout the years. It was especially heartbreaking for me to see you go in the media from being a grieving father who lost a wife and a son to being the person indicted and convicted of killing them,” Newman said. “I don’t question the decision of the state not to pursue the death penalty, but as I sit here in the courtroom and look around at the portraits of court officials, ... and the century which your family served as prosecutors in this courtroom, handing many individuals death sentences, for probably lesser conduct.”

Newman continued, asking Murdaugh about his history of lies, before the trial and potentially on the stand.

“When will it end?” Newman asked.

9:50 a.m. — Alex addresses the court

Murdaugh spoke for less than 10 seconds during his sentencing hearing, but continued to maintain his innocence in the deaths of his wife and son.

“I’m innocent. I would never hurt my wife Maggie, and I would never hurt my son Paul Paul. Thank you.”

9:46 a.m. — State will not present victim impact statements

Lead prosecutor Creighton Waters said the state won’t provide the court victim impact statements during Murdaugh’s sentencing.

Impact statements are often used to help the judge reach a sentencing decision.

Waters began by noting Murdaugh had no prior criminal record, but that he was “cunning” in his deceit of those close to him.

“I want to offer my condolences to this family,” Waters said, turning to the family members in the courtroom audience. “But the reality remains that despite all this attention, this case is about Maggie Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh, and I’m so thankful the jurors gave them a voice.”

Waters asked Judge Clifton Newman to sentence Murdaugh to the maximum for the murders, two consecutive life sentences.

“I’ve looked in his eyes, and he liked to stare me down as he walked past me in this trial. I saw the real Alex Murdaugh … a man like this man should never be allowed to be among free, law-abiding citizens again,” Waters said.

9:30 a.m. — Judge to sentence Murdaugh after testimony

Judge Clifton Newman will sentence Murdaugh after his conviction on two counts of murder and two weapons charges.

A unanimous jury of 12 returned a guilty verdict on all counts Thursday night, after nearly three hours of deliberation.

Murdaugh is being held at the Colleton County jail. He arrived at the courthouse Friday in handcuffs, ankle chains, bright orange sliders and a tan prison jumpsuit, a striking contrast to the blazers and slacks he’d worn to court throughout the trial.

State Attorney General Alan Wilson and lead prosecutor Creighton Waters spoke to reporters Thursday night, both reiterating that Murdaugh’s conviction means no one is above the law. Murdaugh is a former prominent Hampton-based attorney, who comes from a long line of solicitors.

Defense attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin are expected to speak to reporters some time after the sentencing.

One juror, Craig Moyer, has spoken out since the conviction. Moyer said he was “guilty” from the start.

He told credit ABC News’ “Good Morning America” that Murdaugh “was a good liar, but not good enough.”

Moyer told GMA that it was the video pulled from Paul’s cellphone, showing Murdaugh at the dog kennels, that convinced him.