What Is Next For Alex Murdaugh?

On March 2, 2023, everything changed for Alex Murdaugh - again. The now disbarred lawyer from South Carolina was found guilty of ending the life of his wife and youngest son - 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh and 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh. It was a case that raged on for weeks, yet one that took the jury less than three hours to decide.

The day after the verdict was in, Judge Clifton Newman sentenced Alex to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, but things are far from over for the once so-prominent lawyer. So, what is next for Alex Murdaugh? More trials and charges than most of us could ever imagine.

Why was Alex Murdaugh found guilty in March 2023?

Why was Alex Murdaugh sentenced to two life sentences? That all comes from the grizzly scene at the Murdaugh's hunting lodge on June 7, 2021. Alex's wife, Maggie, and his youngest son, Paul, both lost their lives in horrific ways, with a Snapchat video ultimately putting the disbarred lawyer at the scene just minutes before their assumed time of passing, despite denying he was there at the time. What has been dubbed as one of the trials of the century eventually saw Alex found guilty of ending their lives after the jury took less than three hours to deliberate.

An appeal is on the cards for Alex Murdaugh

One of the first things to come from Alex Murdaugh's defense team is an appeal. A lot of the prosecution's arguments revolved around Alex's financial crimes, something still to come, that saw him stealing from his clients at the family's long-running law firm. Judge Clifton Newman ruled that the financial crimes were allowed in at the trial, but some argue it became a trial of two trials, with too much of the time focusing on Alex's other crimes. The disbarred lawyer's two lead defense attorneys both claim it was too much of a character trial, with Dick Harpootlian previously asking for a mistrial.

Almost 100 charges related to his financial crimes are still to come

During the trial, we heard about how Alex Murdaugh may have defrauded victims out of $8.8 million alongside a further $490,000 from the state. So far, Alex has been charged with 99 accusations, including 32 counts of embezzlement and 14 counts of money laundering. Lead prosecutor from the original case, Creighton Waters, is the one behind Alex's other charges and says he will still aggressively pursue the financial crimes. Alex admitted he had stolen while on the stand defending himself against accusations of ending his family's lives, with many thinking there could be even more financial crimes yet to be uncovered.

A botched attempt on Alex Murdaugh's life still needs a trial

One major moment from the trial was the admission that Alex Murdaugh hired someone to take his own life in September 2021, three months after losing his wife and son. To start, it was believed someone was targeting the Murdaugh family, but it was later confessed Alex hired the same man selling him narcotics to end his life so that his remaining son, Buster, could claim somewhere between $10 and $12 million through life insurance. Although the motivation has been disputed, there are still charges surrounding Alex's false police report and false claims.

Gloria Satterfield will potentially be exhumed amid another investigation

Gloria Satterfield was the longtime housekeeper at the hunting lodge where Maggie and Paul lost their lives when she passed in 2018. What was described as a "trip and fall accident" after Gloria allegedly tripped on the family's dogs on the stairs has since been disputed. Alex agreed to represent her sons to help them sue his insurance. However, Alex kept the $4 million from Gloria's remaining family. In June 2022, officials received permission to exhume Gloria's remains and to reopen the case.

The boat case is still looming over Alex and Buster Murdaugh

Paul Murdaugh lost his life but was in the middle of his own criminal trial when tragedy struck. Paul was accused of boating under the influence and causing an accident that ended the life of 19-year-old Mallory Beach. Civil trials have been ongoing since, with Buster Murdaugh recently settling part of the claim, with a new trial set for Mallory's wrongful passing coming in August 2023.

There could be more to Stephen Smith's passing

Stephen Smith was 19 years old when he lost his life not far from the Murdaugh's hunting lodge. It was believed he was struck by a vehicle and left on the road, but others aren't convinced. One name kept coming up - Buster Murdaugh - with many believing that Stephen was unwittingly the family's first victim in 2015. The case went cold, and no one was charged, but things started to pick up again when the police were investigating Maggie and Paul's passing. This only heated up rumors that the family is somehow involved with it all.

What is next for Alex Murdaugh? A host of trials, lengthy hearings, and charges that will see him behind bars for the rest of his life.