On Tuesday, a South Carolina judge denied Alex Murdaugh’s bid to lower his $7 million bond.
Judge Alison Lee denied Murdaugh’s request, finding he still posed a flight risk as well as a danger to himself and others. Following the ruling, Murdaugh’s legal team said the jailed attorney is unable to pay the hefty bond, meaning he will stay behind bars while charges are pending, according to the Island Packet.
At some point, Murdaugh’s lawyers said Murdaugh cannot afford new underwear in jail, Newsweek reported.
Murdaugh was arrested in Florida in October for allegedly stealing $4.3 million from the estate of his former housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, who suffered a fatal fall on his property in February 2018. Since then, the attorney — who is charged with 51 counts of financial fraud — has been accused of stealing money from a slew of clients and his former law firm.
In November, State Grand Jury Chief Creighton Waters expressed concerns regarding the results of Murdaugh’s psychiatric examination, which remain private.
At the time of his arrest in Florida, Murdaugh was on bond for an alleged suicide-for-hire plot. On September 3, Murdaugh allegedly had ex-client Curtis Smith, 61, try to fatally shoot him so his surviving son would receive a $10 million life insurance payout. Alex Murdaugh reportedly suffered head injuries and called 911 for help.
A day before the shooting, Murdaugh was forced out of his family law firm amid allegations he misappropriated funds. He announced he was entering rehabilitation for drugs two days after the shooting.
Months before the alleged botched plot, on June 7, Murdaugh’s wife, Maggie and Paul, 52 and 22, were found fatally shot on their 1,770-acre lodge in Colleton County, South Carolina. No arrests have been made in connection with their slayings.
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[Featured image: Alex Murdaugh/Orange County Sheriff’s Office]
