Alex Murdaugh pleads guilty to wave of financial crimes
Why it matters: Mr. Murdaugh is seeking to have his murder conviction thrown out.
In accepting the new plea deal, Mr. Murdaugh, 55, admitted to stealing from a series of clients over many years while working as an influential lawyer in rural South Carolina.
His lawyers have stepped up efforts in recent weeks to win him a new trial for the murders of his wife Maggie and youngest son Paul, who were shot dead on the family’s large hunting estate in June 2021.
A jury convicted Mr. Murdaugh of two murders in March after a televised, high-profile trial, and a judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. But Mr. Murdaugh’s lawyers are seeking to have the conviction overturned based on what they say was questionable conduct by the clerk. They accused the clerk of tampering with jurors, including by casting doubt on the defense. The clerk rejected the claims.
What it means: An additional 27 years in prison
The plea deal outlined Friday calls for Mr. Murdaugh to be sentenced to 27 years in prison, which would keep him behind bars even if he could have his murder conviction overturned.
Standing in the courtroom in an orange prison jumpsuit, Mr. Murdaugh was asked by Judge Clifton Newman if he had any doubts about the plea. “No sir. There is no doubt in my mind,” he replied.
Prosecutors have said Murdaugh killed his wife and son in a bizarre attempt to distract from his long-running thefts at his clients and law firm. Mr. Murdaugh has strongly denied any involvement in the killings, even as he admitted to stealing millions of dollars from clients and colleagues.
What Happens Next: Mr. Murdaugh’s financial victims may take him to court.
Mr. Murdaugh is expected to be sentenced for the financial crimes on November 28, after which some of his victims could face court.
Judge Newman oversaw the murder trial but agreed this week to no longer hear motions related to Mr. Murdaugh’s attempt to win a new trial. Mr. Murdaugh’s lawyers had argued that the judge was a potential witness to the clerk’s conduct and had shown bias against Mr. Murdaugh in statements after the trial was over.
Creighton Waters, a prosecutor in the South Carolina attorney general’s office, said in court Friday that at the heart of the financial crimes was Mr. Murdaugh’s abuse of trust and his greed.
“His insatiable desire for money meant that not only was he taking six- or seven-figure fees, but he was not only borrowing from the bank at very favorable rates, but on top of that he was stealing from these customers,” he said. Waters said.