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Former South Carolina attorney Richard "Alex" Murdaugh has been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences after being convicted of the murder of his wife and son. Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and Paul Murdaugh, 22, were shot with 2 weapons. And died near dog kennels at the family's home in June 2021. 

The jury heard more than five weeks of testimony from over 75 witnesses and visited the crime scene. Alex Murdaugh took the stand in a last-ditch effort to claim innocence.

The jury took less than three hours on Thursday to find Murdaugh, 54, guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon in the commitment of a violent crime.

Prior to sentencing, Judge Clifton Newman said he did not question the prosecution's decision not to pursue the death penalty in this case, but reflected on the fact that Murdaugh's family has prosecuted people who may have received the death penalty for lesser crimes.

Murdaugh comes from a long line of powerful lawyers in the state and his father and grandfather were both solicitors in the area.

 "In the murder of your wife Maggie Murdaugh, I sentence you for a term for the rest of your natural life," Newman said. "For the murder of Paul Murdaugh, who you probably loved so much, I sentence you to prison for murdering him, for the rest of your natural life."

Life sentences end legal dynasty

The sentencing hearing started with lead prosecutor Creighton Waters asking the judge to impose the maximum sentence on Murdaugh: two consecutive life sentences. 

"The depravity, the callousness, the selfishness of these crimes are stunning," Waters said. "A man like that, this man should never be allowed to be among free law-abiding citizens again."

Waters said in his closing argument Wednesday the state's circumstantial evidence showed Murdaugh had the means, motive and opportunity to commit the crime. And his lies after the killings confirmed his guilt. 

Waters said Murdaugh, a member of a prominent legal dynasty in Hampton County for more than 80 years, killed his family. He committed the murders in a failed attempt to prevent his alleged financial crimes from being exposed. And was trying to protect his family's legacy and successful law practice.

Before sentencing Alex Murdaugh to life in prison, Judge Clifton Newman addressed the once-prominent South Carolina lawyer directly about his crimes.

The “monster” that Murdaugh became

When Murdaugh claimed he was innocent, Judge Newman responded. And said perhaps it was “the monster” Murdaugh became through his use of opioid pills that was guilty. 

 "Justice was done today," Waters said at a news conference after the verdict. "It doesn’t matter who your family is. It doesn’t matter how much money you have ... If you do wrong, if you break the law, if you murder, then justice will be done in South Carolina."

During the trial, Murdaugh repeatedly denied killing his family but finally admitted to lying to investigators about his whereabouts the night of the murders. 

Murdaugh initially told police he was not at the family's dog kennels before finding the bodies there, but his voice was captured on a video taken on his son’s cellphone minutes before prosecutors believe the killings happened.

The case has garnered significant media attention due to Murdaugh's family's prominence in South Carolina politics and law. However, the verdict and sentencing have sent a strong message that no one is above the law, regardless of their social status or family background.