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Alex Murdaugh Faces Sentencing for Financial Crimes Following Failed Polygraph Test and Plea Agreement Breach

Published: 01 April 2024 at 08:38

Politics

Former attorney Alex Murdaugh, already serving two life sentences for the murders of his wife and son, is set to be sentenced for nearly two dozen financial crimes after pleading guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he failed a polygraph test, violating his plea agreement, though Murdaugh denies this claim. The US Attorney's Office recommends a prison sentence of 17.5 to almost 22 years. Murdaugh was previously sentenced to 27 years in state court for similar crimes, on top of the life sentences for the murders of his family members.

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Federal Prosecutors Seek Maximum Sentence for Convicted Killer Alex Murdaugh


Federal prosecutors are seeking to revoke a plea deal with Alex Murdaugh, convicted of killing his wife and son, due to his dishonesty about the whereabouts of over $6 million he stole and the involvement of another attorney. They want him to serve well over 100 years in prison for theft and other charges. Murdaugh, already serving life without parole for the murders, pleaded guilty to stealing from clients and his law firm in state court. The prosecutors aim to enforce the stiffest sentence possible after Murdaugh breached the plea agreement by failing to fully disclose the truth.

Body camera footage shows arrest of Alex Murdaugh outside rehab facility


Newly released body camera footage captures the arrest of Alex Murdaugh outside a rehab facility in Orlando. The footage shows police finding personal belongings like Benadryl and chewing tobacco in Murdaugh's pockets. He pleads for his prescription medications during the arrest. The arrest was made based on two felony warrants connected to missing life insurance settlement money from Murdaugh's late housekeeper. Murdaugh had previously quit his law firm and was involved in an assisted suicide plot. He had been sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of his wife and son.

Alex Murdaugh returns to court for hearing on alleged jury tampering


Alex Murdaugh, a disbarred attorney convicted of the murder of his wife and son, is returning to court in South Carolina for a hearing on alleged jury tampering. Murdaugh's attorneys claim that the court clerk for Colleton County, Rebecca Becky Hill, inappropriately discussed the case with jurors, pressured them to conclude deliberations quickly, and misrepresented information to the trial judge. The evidentiary hearing will include the testimony of 11 jurors from the original trial and Hill. Murdaugh is currently serving two consecutive life sentences for the murders.

Murdaugh family (Wikipedia)


The Murdaugh family ( MUR-dok) is an affluent American family that has lived in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina since the 18th century. Three generations named Randolph Murdaugh served consecutively as circuit solicitor (the elected prosecuting attorney) for the state's 14th judicial district between 1920 and 2006; the family's status led locals to call the five-county district "Murdaugh Country". In 1910, Randolph Murdaugh Sr. founded the civil litigation firm that is now The Parker Law Group in Hampton, South Carolina, which now specializes in personal injury litigation.Richard "Alex" Murdaugh and other members of the Murdaugh family have been the subject of investigations involving murder, wrongful death, corruption, fraud, witness intimidation, theft and drug and alcohol-related charges. In 2019 Alex's son, Paul Murdaugh, was charged with three felony counts relating to a fatal boating accident, with later allegations of special treatment. In June 2021, Paul and Alex's wife Maggie were shot and killed on the grounds of "Moselle," the Murdaugh hunting estate. Alex was subsequently charged with their murders. He was also accused of embezzlement from his law firm and resigned in September 2021.After being incarcerated since October 2021, Alex Murdaugh's murder trial began in January 2023 and ended in March 2023, with Alex being found guilty of murdering his wife and son and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole. The case generated extensive media coverage, including the Netflix series Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal.

Judge Denies Alex Murdaugh's Request for Retrial


A judge has denied Alex Murdaugh's request for a retrial, stating that the jury was not influenced by the court clerk's comments about him. Murdaugh was convicted in March 2023 of murdering his wife and son and has maintained his innocence. He claimed that the jury pool was tainted by media attention and the actions of the court clerk, who wrote a book about the case. However, the judge found no basis for a new trial and denied the motion.

Trial of Alex Murdaugh (Wikipedia)


State of South Carolina v. Richard Alexander Murdaugh was the trial of American former lawyer Alex Murdaugh for the murder of his wife, Maggie, and their 22-year-old son, Paul, on June 7, 2021. The trial in the fourteenth circuit of the South Carolina Circuit Court began on January 25, 2023, and ended on March 2 with a guilty verdict on all four counts. Murdaugh, who had pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to two life sentences to run consecutively without the possibility of parole. Murdaugh's attorneys filed a notice of appeal, but a new judge rejected the bid for a new trial.Local media called the trial South Carolina's "trial of the century" and "arguably one of the most high-profile and sensational cases in South Carolina legal history".

Murdaugh Murders Podcast (Wikipedia)


Murdaugh Murders Podcast was a true crime podcast by Liz Farrell and Mandy Matney that ran from June 2021 to May 2023. According to Apple Podcasts, in 2021 it was the number one ranked podcast in the world for that year. According to the Washington Post, the podcast was influential in first introducing the public to the Murdaugh family and the trial and conviction of Alex Murdaugh, concerning the murder of his wife and son in South Carolina. According to The Guardian, the podcast "enthralled the country" and was influential with major studios in deciding to make their own versions of the story. Matney's investigations often led to breaking new information about the case. As of early 2023, the podcast was being developed into a scripted series at Hulu called The Murdaugh Murders.In 2023, the podcast was renamed "True Sunlight: Exposing Crime and Corruption", broadening its scope to other true crime stories.

Inside the prisons where Sam Bankman-Fried may be jailed


As Sam Bankman-Fried awaits his sentence, speculation has spiraled around how many years the former FTX CEO will be incarcerated - and where he will be jailed. Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York are asking for Bankman-Fried to get 40 to 50 years behind bars - but the defense is requesting a much lower range of just over six and half years. Experts generally believe that he will serve at least twenty years on the low end and 50 years on the high end - and that he is likely to end up in a medium security jail. Christopher Zoukis, an federal prisons expert, told DailyMail.com he believes Bankman-Fried will likely be sent to a West Coast jail, like FCI Herlong or Mendota.

Moselle Estate, Site of Murdaugh Family Tragedy, Sold for $1 Million to Anonymous Buyer


Moselle Estate, where Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were murdered in 2021, has been sold for $1 million to an anonymous buyer who plans to convert it into a horse farm. The sale of the 21-acre property in South Carolina did not include the area where the murders occurred. The buyer, familiar with the area, owns several businesses in the state. The property was previously part of a 1,800-acre hunting lodge owned by the Murdaugh family. Alex Murdaugh is serving two life sentences for the deaths of his wife and son.

Alabama Sets Execution Date for Man Convicted in 2004 Slaying of Couple During Robbery


Alabama has set a May 30 execution date for Jamie Mills, 50, convicted of capital murder for the 2004 slaying of Floyd and Vera Hill in Marion County during a robbery. Floyd Hill, 87, died from blunt and sharp-force wounds, and Vera Mills, 72, died from head trauma complications. Prosecutors allege Mills beat the couple and stole money and medications. Mills' attorneys claim prosecutorial misconduct, citing a supposed plea deal with his wife. Alabama plans to execute Mills by lethal injection after the state's first nitrogen gas execution earlier this year.

Alex Murdaugh seeks new trial in South Carolina court, accuses clerk of jury tampering


Alex Murdaugh appeared in court in South Carolina for a pre-trial hearing as he seeks a new trial after being convicted of killing his wife and son. His lawyers plan on calling a dismissed juror known as 'Egg Lady' who left a dozen eggs in the jury room, and have accused the Colleton County Clerk of Court of influencing the jury's outcome. The defense claims the clerk fabricated a Facebook post to get a juror kicked off the trial and engaged in improper behavior. Prosecutors are expected to call the clerk to the stand.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Agrees to Pay Restitution to Terminate Fraud Charges


Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, has agreed to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution to terminate fraud charges after nine years of legal proceedings. Prosecutors decided to drop the charges just weeks before Paxton's trial, where he could have faced 99 years in prison if found guilty. Paxton's attorney stated that the state could not prove the charges, leading to the agreement. Details of an extramarital affair surfaced during Paxton's historic impeachment trial.

Judge to hold crucial hearing in Trump hush money case


Former President Donald Trump's hush money case faces a crucial hearing in New York as the judge considers a trial delay due to recent document disclosures. Trump is charged with falsifying business records related to payments to his lawyer to keep Stormy Daniels' allegations quiet. The case has been postponed until mid-April, with Trump's lawyers seeking dismissal or a three-month delay. Prosecutors argue the disclosures are not significant. Trump's trial delay may impact his legal battles and political aspirations.

Randolph Murdaugh Jr. (Wikipedia)


Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh Jr. (January 15, 1915 – February 5, 1998) was an American attorney who served as the circuit solicitor of South Carolina's 14th judicial district from 1940 until his retirement in 1986. He was the second patriarch of the Murdaugh family from 1940 until the 1980s.

Delays in Donald Trump's Classified Documents Case Cast Doubt on Trial Timing


The case against Donald Trump involving hoarding classified documents and obstruction is facing delays with the judge not setting a trial date, pending motions to dismiss, disputes over evidence, and unresolved defense requests. The slow progress is attributed to Trump's team strategy to delay the case for the upcoming presidential election, potentially pushing the trial beyond this year. If Trump wins the election, he could appoint an attorney general to dismiss federal charges. Prosecutors are fighting to move the case forward despite obstacles.

Prosecutors indict former senior Zhejiang provincial political advisor


BEIJING -- Zhu Congjiu, a former senior political advisor in East China's Zhejiang province, has been indicted on charges of accepting bribes, according to the Supreme People's Procuratorate on Wednesday. The lawsuit comes following the conclusion of an investigation by the National Commission of Supervision into the case involving Zhu, formerly a member of the leading Party members group of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice-chairperson of the committee. Zhu was accused of taking advantage of his various former positions to seek benefits for others, while illegally accepting vast sums of money and valuables in return, according to an official statement released on Wednesday. The People's Procuratorate of Ganzhou in East China's Jiangxi province filed Zhu's case with the city's intermediate people's court. Prosecutors had informed the defendant of his litigation rights, interrogated him, and listened to lawyers' opinions.

Murdaugh (Wikipedia)


Murdaugh is a surname. Notable people with this surname include:Angela Murdaugh, American nurseMurdaugh familyRandolph Murdaugh Sr. (1887–1940), American attorneyRandolph Murdaugh Jr. (1915–1998), American attorneyRandolph Murdaugh III (1939–2021), American attorneyAlex Murdaugh (born 1968)Trial of Alex MurdaughMurdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal

Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal (Wikipedia)


Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal is a true crime television series. The series covers the Murdaugh family and the events surrounding the trial of Alex Murdaugh, beginning with the death of Mallory Beach. It was released on Netflix on February 22, 2023. The second season released on September 20, 2023. The series received generally positive reviews from critics.

Alex Murdaugh Faces Sentencing for Financial Crimes Following Failed Polygraph Test and Plea Agreement Breach Alex Murdaugh Faces Sentencing for Financial Crimes Following Failed Polygraph Test and Plea Agreement Breach Alex Murdaugh Faces Sentencing for Financial Crimes Following Failed Polygraph Test and Plea Agreement Breach Alex Murdaugh Faces Sentencing for Financial Crimes Following Failed Polygraph Test and Plea Agreement Breach

SOURCES

AP News

Alex Murdaugh faces a South Carolina judge for punishment a final time

https://apnews.com/author/jeffrey-collins

ABC News

Alex Murdaugh faces a South Carolina judge for punishment a final time

ABC News

Yahoo! News

Alex Murdaugh faces a South Carolina judge for punishment a final time

Yahoo! News

CNN

Alex Murdaugh is scheduled to be sentenced today for nearly 2 dozen financial crimes | CNN

Dakin Andone, Dianne Gallagher

CBS News

Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for stealing from clients and his law firm

CBS News

NY Post

Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh slapped with another 40 years in prison for ripping off clients, his law firm

NY Post

Washington Post

Alex Murdaugh sentenced to 40 years for financial crimes

Washington Post

ABC News

Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh is sentenced to another 40 years for stealing from clients and his law firm

ABC News

ABC News

Alex Murdaugh gets 40 years in federal prison for stealing from clients and his law firm

ABC News

The Huffington Post

Alex Murdaugh Gets 40 Years In Federal Prison For Stealing From Clients And His Law Firm

The Huffington Post

Daily Mail

Alex Murdaugh is sentenced to 40 years for stealing money from firm

Germania Rodriguez Poleo

E! News

Alex Murdaugh Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Federal Charges - E! Online

E! News

BBC News

Disgraced ex-lawyer Alex Murdaugh sentenced to 40 years for financial crimes

https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews

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Federal Prosecutors Seek Maximum Sentence for Convicted Killer Alex Murdaugh

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Body camera footage shows arrest of Alex Murdaugh outside rehab facility

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Alex Murdaugh returns to court for hearing on alleged jury tampering

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Wikipedia

Murdaugh family

Wikipedia

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Judge Denies Alex Murdaugh's Request for Retrial

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Wikipedia

Trial of Alex Murdaugh

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

Murdaugh Murders Podcast

Wikipedia

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Inside the prisons where Sam Bankman-Fried may be jailed

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Moselle Estate, Site of Murdaugh Family Tragedy, Sold for $1 Million to Anonymous Buyer

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Alabama Sets Execution Date for Man Convicted in 2004 Slaying of Couple During Robbery

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Alex Murdaugh seeks new trial in South Carolina court, accuses clerk of jury tampering

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Agrees to Pay Restitution to Terminate Fraud Charges

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Judge to hold crucial hearing in Trump hush money case

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Wikipedia

Randolph Murdaugh Jr.

Wikipedia

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Delays in Donald Trump's Classified Documents Case Cast Doubt on Trial Timing

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Prosecutors indict former senior Zhejiang provincial political advisor

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Wikipedia

Murdaugh

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal

Wikipedia