Alex Murdaugh, a former attorney already serving two life sentences for the murders of his wife and son, received an additional 40-year prison sentence in federal court after pleading guilty to nearly two dozen charges including conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering.
This sentencing comes in addition to his previous 27-year sentence in state court for similar financial crimes.
Prosecutors allege that Murdaugh violated his plea agreement by failing a polygraph test, complicating the sentencing process.
Despite denying the claim, Murdaugh’s attorneys argue for the judge to disregard the government’s motion.
While Murdaugh maintains his innocence in the murders, he has admitted to the financial crimes, citing a yearslong opioid addiction.
The federal sentence’s concurrent status with his state sentence hinges on whether the judge determines he breached the plea agreement.
Prosecutors seek to seal evidence related to the polygraph test and ongoing investigations, while Murdaugh’s attorneys question the government’s conduct and request access to the sealed documents.
The judge ordered prosecutors to provide a redacted version of the documents, balancing the need for transparency with the ongoing investigation.
