Alex Murdaugh sobs about murders at fraud sentencing: Live
Sentencing marks only the latest chapter in the Murdaugh saga, as he continues to fight his conviction over the June 2021 murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh was confronted by his victims in a courtroom in South Carolina today before being sentenced to 27 years in prison on a slew of state financial crime charges.
“You seem empty, I don’t see anything,” Judge Clifton Newman told Murdaugh as he handed down the sentence. “Hopefully something will emerge in your spirit, in your soul.”
For more than a decade, Murdaugh stole over $12.5m from clients at his law firm in a vast multi-million-dollar fraud scheme.
Among the victims who spoke was the family of Gloria Satterfield, the Murdaugh’s housekeeper who died in a 2018 “trip and fall” at Moselle. In that case, Murdaugh stole more than $4m in wrongful death settlements meant for her sons.
Murdaugh spent nearly an hour apologizing to them. He admitted he did “terrible things” that “continue to bother and disturb him.”
The disgraced legal scion reached a plea deal with prosecutors on 17 November, agreeing to plead guilty to 22 charges including money laundering, fraud and criminal conspiracy.
The sentencing marks only the latest chapter in the Murdaugh saga, as he continues to fight his conviction over the June 2021 murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul.
Alex Murdaugh is still fighting his murder conviction. But he’s admitted to these crimes
Why did Alex Murdaugh murder his wife and son? The astonishing case explained
Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh takes plea deal in financial fraud case
Misinformation, media circuses, and a ‘false sense of expertise’: The problems with cameras in the courtroom
Prosecution talks about wreckage Murdaugh has caused in community
“The wreckage this man has caused in the legal community, and to his victims, far outweighs any other white collar crime in the country!”
Deon Martin case is the first time Murdaugh used his fake “Forge” account in his financial crimes schemes
Creighton Waters told the court that Alex Murdaugh stole $538,000 from Deon Martin in 2015 and 2016, after he was injured in a car crash.
It was around this time that Murdaugh changed tactics by funnelling money through the fake Forge account, Mr Waters told the court.
Prosecution details Murdaugh’s financial schemes
The first case Murdaugh is convicted of is the case of Hakeem Pinckney – a deaf man who was left a quadriplegic after a horror car crash in 2009. He died two years later.
Murdaugh stole most of a $309,000 settlement and then an additional $89,000 payment meant for Pinckney’s mother.
Murdaugh also stole $325,000 from Natasha Thomas who was a minor when she was involved in the crash.
Arthur Badger went to Murdaugh to file a wrongful death lawsuit when his wife was killed in a car crash in January 2011.
Mr Badger was left a single parent to the couple’s six children.
Murdaugh stole $1.325m from the family.
“She put this case in his hands. And he kept coming back and saying the case was worth less and less,” Waters said
Creighton Waters appeared to choke up slightly as he talked about a case that affected him.
The estate of Sandra Taylor.
“This one really gets to me,” he said. “Her mother Ms Mallory testified.”
“Her daughter was killed by a drunk driver. Leaving behind three minor children.”
“She went to Murdaugh because she heard he was the best in town.”
“He kept lowering the amount the case was worth.”
“If ever there was a more acute example of trust, it was Ms Mallory and Mr Murdaugh.”
“She put this case in his hands. And he kept coming back and saying the case was worth less and less.”
“Eventually he told her that it was only worth $30,000. $10,000 for each child. And she believed him.”
Murdaugh 'bled the well dry'
After spending around an hour-and-a-half walking the judge through Murdaugh’s fraud schemes, Mr Waters gave a damning conclusion as to why Murdaugh should stay behind bars in state prison for the remainder of his life.
“There are 101 offensives. People might say ‘why are we resolving this in this manner?’” said Mr Waters.
“And the reason for that, there are a lot of reasons for that. Ultimately we have here a guilty plea where Alex Murdaugh has admited his guilt... Mr Alex is waiving his appelate rights and within the law his post-conviction rights.
“With his plea here today, there is certainty, as much as the law will allow, that he will serve at least 85 per cent of that 27-year sentence if your honour accepts that result. Mr Murdaugh will remain in state prisson for what is likely the remainder of his life.”
Mr Waters said that the deal will ensure Murdaugh will be held in state prison – rather than being moved to a federal prison which are notoriously nicer.
“We can be assured that he is not leaving state prison... these are South Carolina crimes,” he said.
He added: “The well was bled dry by this man.”
Court is back in session
Attorney Eric Bland is now addressing the court.
‘Today is when we focus on the victims’: Impact statements begin
Eric Bland is speaking to the court at Alex Murdaugh’s hearing. He is representing Gloria Satterfield’s family.
He reminded the court that he said Murdaugh needed to drink from the same cup of justice of any other criminal.
“But today is when we focus on the victims,” he said.
“This sentence and the hard work of Creighton Waters who had a dogged pursuit to bring Alex Murdaugh to justice, sends a clarion bell signal to not just attorneys, but to anyone who wants to victimize the vulnerable.”
He then introducted Satterfield’s family, some of whom will speak.
Eric Bland slams defence attorneys’ podcast, appearances at CrimeCon
The attorney for many of Alex Murdaugh’s victims had his chance to confront Murdaugh on Tuesday and reminded the public of his crimes.
“These victims’ lives have been permanently altered. Let’s focus on them.”
He slammed Murdaugh’s defence attorneys for their involvement in the publicity of the trial including podcasts, docusewries and attending CrimeCon.
Son of Gloria Satterfield faces Murdaugh in court
“I really don’t have words,” he began, facing Murdaugh directly.
“You lied, you cheated, you stole.”
“I have no words. You deceived me, my family.”
But then he added that he forgives him: “I will pray for you every day, and I forgive you for what you’ve done to us.”
“Do you not have a soul?” Gloria Satterfield's sister speaks directly to Murdaugh
Gloria Satterfield’s sister Ginger is addressing Alex Murdaugh in court.
“My heart goes out to all of the families you did wrong by. Those children who lost a mother. I don’t understand.. do you not have a soul?”
Murdaugh nods at her and closes his eyes as she finishes her statement.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.