Judge Clifton Newman, who sentenced Alex Murdaugh to life in prison without parole for the murder of his wife and younger son, expressed sympathy for the disgraced former lawyer. Judge Newman acknowledged the international attention the trial garnered, attributing it to the combination of factors involving a high-profile lawyer, the deaths of a wife and child, allegations of embezzlement, and claims of drug addiction.
Alex Murdaugh, previously a personal injury lawyer and part-time prosecutor, was disbarred last summer and convicted last year for the June 2021 killings of his wife, Margaret, and their son, Paul. The Murdaugh family’s prominent reputation in South Carolina’s Lowcountry was such that a portrait of Randolph “Buster” Murdaugh Jr., Alex’s late grandfather and a respected prosecutor for 46 years, had to be removed from the courtroom during the sentencing trial.
Judge Newman, joined by his daughter Jocelyn Newman, an at-large judge of the South Carolina Circuit Courts, expressed his belief that Alex Murdaugh would be haunted by the murders. He stated that he couldn’t fathom Murdaugh having a peaceful night, given the weight of his actions, and speculated that if given the chance, Murdaugh would choose differently.
While sympathetic towards Murdaugh’s downward spiral, Judge Newman clarified that he didn’t aim to rescue him from his situation but instead provided an opportunity for him to confess during sentencing. However, Murdaugh maintained his innocence, proclaiming it before the court. The judge responded by suggesting that the person standing before him was a changed individual due to opioid abuse, although not necessarily the person who committed the crimes.
You can also read: Derrick Thompson Arrested for Fatal Minneapolis Crash
Jocelyn Newman, Judge Newman’s daughter, admitted that she anticipated the trial would garner significant attention, even encountering social media posts about it. Murdaugh, who remains steadfast in his claims of innocence, has filed a notice to appeal his convictions following the sentencing. Due to the pending appeal, Judge Newman declined to address specific questions about the trial.