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Alex Murdaugh formally says he will appeal double-murder convictions

Alex Murdaugh is taken to the Colleton County Courthouse for sentencing on Friday, March 3, 2023. Joshua Boucher/The State/Pool
Alex Murdaugh is taken to the Colleton County Courthouse for sentencing on Friday, March 3, 2023. Joshua Boucher/The State/Pool jboucher@thestate.com

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Alex Murdaugh Coverage

The Murdaugh family saga has dominated the news after another shooting, a resignation and criminal accusations — with Alex Murdaugh at the center of it all. Here are the latest updates on Alex Murdaugh.

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Lawyers for Alex Murdaugh filed paperwork Thursday indicating that he will appeal his convictions in the murders of his wife and son.

The notice of appeal was filed in the Colleton County Courthouse by his attorneys, Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin.

The short, two sentence notice states, “Richard Alexander Murdaugh appeals his convictions and sentences.”

The disbarred former Hampton County attorney, who was a volunteer solicitor, was found guilty of the brutal double murders on March 2, 2023. After a six-week trial the jury returned the verdicts in just three hours.

The next day, Judge Clifton Newman sentenced Murdaugh to two life sentences without the possibility of parole. Newman ordered them to be served consecutively.

In South Carolina, a notice of appeal must be filed within ten days of a sentence being imposed.

Murdaugh maintained his innocence in the murder of his wife and son throughout the trial.

I respect this court but I’m innocent. I would never, under any circumstances hurt my wife, Maggie, and I would never under any circumstances hurt my son Pau Pau,” Murduagh said at sentencing.

This is a breaking news story. Check back here for updates.

This story was originally published March 9, 2023 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Alex Murdaugh formally says he will appeal double-murder convictions."

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Ted Clifford
The State
Ted Clifford is the statewide accountability reporter at The State Newspaper. Formerly the crime and courts reporter, he has covered the Murdaugh saga, state and federal court, as well as criminal justice and public safety in the Midlands and across South Carolina. He is the recipient of the 2023 award for best beat reporting by the South Carolina Press Association.
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Alex Murdaugh Coverage

The Murdaugh family saga has dominated the news after another shooting, a resignation and criminal accusations — with Alex Murdaugh at the center of it all. Here are the latest updates on Alex Murdaugh.