Alex Murdaugh Sentenced to Two Life Sentences for Murder
Alex Murdaugh, a powerful South Carolina lawyer from a long line of influential legal dynasty, was sentenced to two life sentences on Friday, March 3, 2023 after a nearly six-week-long trial in which he was found guilty of murdering his wife and son in 2021.[0] Murdaugh had maintained his innocence throughout the trial and attempted to explain his presence at the scene of the crime by blaming his longtime opioid addiction and paranoia.
The key evidence that convicted Murdaugh was a video taken moments before his son was killed, which captured his voice and placed him at the scene of the crime.[1] In the video, Murdaugh can be heard calling for the family dog, Bubba, which contradicted his initial claim that he had not joined his family at the kennels that night.[2]
At the sentencing, Judge Clifton Newman addressed Murdaugh, saying, “It might not have been you. It might have been the monster you become when you take 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 opioid pills, and maybe you become another person.”[3]
Murdaugh was then taken to Kirkland Correctional Institution in the state capital of Columbia, where he was assessed before being assigned to a maximum-security prison.[4] He has since shaved his head, which is standard for new male inmates.[5]
The Murdaugh family has dominated justice in the South Carolina for over a century.[6] Alex Murdaugh's grandfather's portrait once hung in the courthouse, but it was removed in order to ensure a fair trial.
It is alleged that Murdaugh was behind a scheme to arrange a suicide-for-hire in order to assist his remaining son, Buster. It was alleged that Murdaugh tried to orchestrate his own shooting so that his son, Buster, would obtain a $10 million life insurance payout upon his death.
Murdaugh's case has garnered attention nationwide, as it has been seen as a reminder of the consequences of opioid abuse and the toll of a distorted justice system. Murdaugh's trial and conviction serves as a reminder of the ultimate price of crime and the power of justice.
0. “First responding officer to scene of the murders of Alex Murdaugh's wife, son speaks about case” CBS News, 4 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/video/first-responding-officer-to-scene-of-the-murders-of-alex-murdaughs-wife-son-speaks-about-case
1. “Where Are the Murdaugh Dogs Now? Here's What Happened to Bubba Murdaugh” Seventeen, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a43179171/murdaugh-murders-dogs-bubba-now
2. “Bubba, Buster, Paw-Paw – who's who in Murdaugh murder trial” BBC, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64794625
3. “Here's what the judge who sentenced Alex Murdaugh said” CNN, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/03/us/judge-sentences-alex-murdaugh/index.html
4. “Murdaugh booked into Columbia prison after guilty verdict, sentencing” Live 5 News WCSC, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.live5news.com/2023/03/03/murdaugh-booked-into-columbia-prison-after-guilty-verdict-sentencing
5. “Alex Murdaugh officially in prison to begin serving life sentence” WLTX.com, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.wltx.com/article/news/special-reports/alex-murdaugh/alex-murdaugh-in-prison-mugshot/101-80ec290c-ff31-4c0e-bea3-3a0e8841df52
6. “Judge Gives ‘Monster' Alex Murdaugh Life Sentence—but Wishes It Was Death” The Daily Beast, 4 Mar. 2023, https://www.thedailybeast.com/alex-murdaugh-maintains-his-innocence-before-murder-sentencing
