Alex Murdaugh will finally know his fate Friday morning.The disgraced former South Carolina attorney was determined guilty on all accounts in the murders of hi
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LIVESTREAM: Murdaugh Murder Trial
3/3/23
Live blog embed authored by Bailey Wright.
06:06
Judge Newman is expected to sentence Alex Murdaugh today after a jury found Alex Murdaugh guilty of murdering his wife and son. Hearing begins at 9:30 a.m.
06:43
Court is in session.
06:43
Creighton Waters speaking to the judge.
06:44
Waters said the case has gotten a lot of attention, but maggie and paul should be the main focus. "I'm so thankful that the jurors gave them a voice," Waters said.
"He was cut down as soon as his life was starting," Waters said of Buster.
06:46
Waters said he could see the real Alex Murdaugh whenever Alex walked by him, always staring him down.
He could see "...The lack of remorse and the effortful way in which he lies."
06:46
"Your honor, a man like that.. should never be allowed to be among free, law abiding citizens again"
06:46
Waters asking for the maximum- two consecutive life sentences.
06:46
Waters said no victim wanted to give a statement.
06:47
Alex Murdaugh speaking to the court.
"I'm innocent, I would never hurt my wife Maggie and I would never hurt my son Paw Paw."
06:48
Murdaugh approaching the bench.
06:48
Judge Clifton Newman says this has been a very troubling case for him.
06:50
He says we have a wife and son murdered, a lawyer whose family was powerful in the community, whose grandfather's portrait hangs in the back of the courthouse normally.
06:50
Newman said he's set to preside over the 99 other cases involving Murdaugh's other crimes, mostly financial-related.
06:53
Newman:
"It's also particularly troubling Mr. Mrudaugh because as a member of the legal community... you've practiced law before me, and we've seen each other at various occasions
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.
06:53
Newman said he expects an appeal but would not expect a confession of any kind from Murdaugh.
06:54
This case qualifies under the state's death penalty statue, however, Newman said he doesn't question at all the decision of the State not to pursue the death penalty.
06:56
Newman asks Murdaugh to explain his words from his testimony about creating a tangled web of lies.
Alex: When I lie, I continue to lie.
Newman: And the question is, when will it end?
06:57
Newman said a notice of alibi was filed in this case in November, and a pre-trial hearing was conducted. At that time, Murdaugh claimed he was at another place at the time of the crime.
He mirrors Creighton Waters' closing argument by pointing out that statement changed after so many witnesses testified to him being at the scene.
06:58
Newman: I know you have to see Maggie and Paul at night time when you attempt to go to sleep...
Alex: ... Every night.
06:59
Newman said he doesn't know another person who has spun from such a friendly, gregarious person to someone tangled up in so many lies.
06:59
He tells Alex he has a lovely family or wonderful family.
07:01
Newman said it's surprising that Alex wants to waive his right to say anything, but gives him another opportunity....
Alex: Judge, I tell you again, I respect this court, but I'm innocent. I would never under any circumstances hurt my wife Maggie and I would not under any circumstances hurt my son Paul.
07:01
To that, Newman says:
"It might have been the monster you become when you take 20, 40 60 opioid pills. maybe you become another person."
07:01
He says he's seen that before- that the person standing in front of him is often not the same person who committed the crimes, despite it being the same physical person.
07:03
Newman says Murdaugh's other crimes will go to trial, but the schedule will have to be worked out. This case was expediated for various reasons. There are other important cases out there that need to be seen too.
07:06
Newman sentences Murdaugh to two consecutive life sentences.
07:06
Officers are escorting him out of the courtroom.
07:07
His head is bowed as he leaves escorted by deputies.
07:09
Newman talks about keeping the jurors' identifies protected. They were seen in a court livefeed as Murdaugh left the courtroom yesterday.
07:09
Newman said he wouldn't be surprised if jurors came forward to speak, it's their own decision to do so.
07:10
"They have undergone a live-changing experience."
07:10
He asks the jurors present today to let him know if anyone starts harassing them.
07:11
Newman said some autopsy photos got out somehow when they were shown as exhibits in court.
The parties have requested an investigation into this.
07:12
Newman said one of the reasons they seal graphic photos is because the parties deserve privacy.
He refers to the recent lawsuit Kobe Bryant's wife made regarding her husband's death in a helicopter crash and the crash photos released of it.
07:12
Newman is excited to use his gavel to order court be adjourned.
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