Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina lawyer accused of murdering his wife and son to elicit pity and distract attention from financial crimes that threatened to topple his reputation, was found guilty Thursday of their murders.
After deliberating for three hours, the jury of seven men and five women convicted Murdaugh, 54, of the fatal shootings of Margaret, 52, and her youngest son Paul, 22, in June 2021. He faces to 30 years to life in prison without parole. .
The jury also convicted him of two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, which carry an additional five years in prison.
Murdaugh, 54, repeatedly blinked but was stone-faced as he stood in court as the guilty verdicts were read out. Each juror was then asked if the verdicts were correct and they said yes.
Sentencing was adjourned until 9:30 am Friday.
Murdaugh’s lawyers filed a motion to mistrial after the verdicts were read. The motion was denied by the judge, who said the verdict was a matter for the jury and there was insufficient evidence to convict Murdaugh.
«The evidence of guilt is overwhelming and I deny the motion,» Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman said.
Newman thanked the jurors later, saying their verdict was supported by the evidence.
«All the evidence pointed to one conclusion, that’s the conclusion you all came to,» he said.