Convicted double murderer Alex Murdaugh was sentenced Tuesday to 27 years in prison for stealing millions from his former clients and law firm.
According to The State, Murdaugh provided an hour-long statement to the court in which he apologized to his family and instructed his surviving son to “ignore the haters.” None of Murdaugh’s family was present for the sentencing hearing.
"I would never hurt Maggie and Paul."
Convicted killer #AlexMurdaugh denies murdering his wife and son at sentencing for his financial crimes. In #JudgeNewman's court, Murdaugh spoke directly to his victims, admitting to stealing millions.#CourtTV What do YOU think? ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/DxrKQgqiwW
— Court TV (@CourtTV) November 28, 2023
“I am so sorry that I let each of you down and I am so sorry that I humiliated you. I am so sorry that I destroyed our family’s reputation with the terrible things that I have done,” Murdaugh said.
In September, Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 22 federal financial crimes in South Carolina that date back 10 years. In doing so, he confessed to stealing $9 million from his former clients and law firm. While Murdaugh only pleaded guilty to crimes that transpired between 2011 to 2021, federal authorities believe his thefts occurred as early as 2005.
"I hate the things that I did." #AlexMurdaugh speaks directly to his financial crime victims in court.
Murdaugh thanks Judge Newman before the judge hands down his sentence.#CourtTV Do you believe Murdaugh is sorry? ⚖️👇 pic.twitter.com/tvOH0xHPBb
— Court TV (@CourtTV) November 28, 2023
During Tuesday’s hearing, Murdaugh also blamed his actions on a long-standing opioid addiction. He went on to suggest that his actions to mask his addiction led law enforcement to investigate him for his wife and son’s murders instead of the real killer, The State reported.
In March, Murdaugh was convicted of killing his wife and son, Maggie and Paul, at the family’s property in Colleton County. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Before his murder convictions, Murdaugh was disbarred for allegedly embezzling more funds from his former law firm to fuel a decades-old drug addiction. During the trial, Murdaugh admitted to some of the financial crimes addressed in the federal case against him.
Since then, Murdaugh has appealed his murder convictions — alleging a court clerk manipulated the jury during his high-profile trial.
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[Featured image: Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool]
