Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina lawyer accused of murdering his wife and son to gain pity and distract from financial crimes threatening to topple his reputation, was found guilty Thursday in their slayings.
After deliberating for three hours, the jury of seven men and five women convicted Murdaugh, 54, in the fatal shootings of Margaret, 52, and their youngest son Paul, 22, in June 2021. He faces 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 five more years in prison.
Murdaugh, 54, blinked repeatedly but was stone-faced as he stood in court as the guilty verdicts were read. Each juror was then asked if the verdicts were correct and said yes.
Sentencing was deferred until 9:30 a.m. Friday.
Lawyers for Murdaugh made a motion for a 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 enough evidence for it to find Murdaugh guilty.
“The evidence of guilt is overwhelming, and I deny the motion,” Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman said.
Newman thanked the jurors later and said their verdict was supported by the evidence.
“All of the evidence pointed to only one conclusion, that’s the conclusion that you all reached,” he said