Alex Murdaugh's attorney promises appeal, says jury could have watched trial ... trends now
Alex Murdaugh's defense team says the intense interest in his trial cost him a fair one, telling reporters outside his sentencing hearing today that the jury 'could have watched it all on Netflix'.
Murdaugh was yesterday found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul at the family's hunting lodge in South Carolina.
He pleaded his innocence throughout a blockbuster six-week trial, but failed to convince the jury that someone else was responsible for their deaths.
Today, he was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences by a judge who branded him a 'monster'.
During the trial, Netflix released a documentary series about his crimes and about the family's complicated web of controversy and death.
Murdaugh attorneys Dick Harpootlian (left) and Jim Griffin speak outside court after his sentencing
Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences today following a six week trial
There was also 18 months of intense public interest in the family, Murdaugh and his alleged crimes, which include a botched suicide attempt, embezzling from his law firm and theft from the sons of his late housekeeper.
Today, Murdaugh's attorneys State Senator Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin said he never stood a chance at a fair trial given that interest, and that prosecutors won the case when they convinced the jury that he was a liar.
'The [jury] heard everything. We were hoping to get a jury that could ignore the noise and focus on the murder. They ended up trying a case that they could have watched on Netflix,' Griffin said.
Harpootlian also defended putting Murdaugh on the stand - a move that turned the jurors off - saying he had 'no choice' but to try to defend himself against the picture that had been painted.
'He had been made out to be a monster who stole from children and crippled people... he had to try to push back on that.
The defense attorneys said it wouldn't have made a difference having Buster Murdaugh give a statement on Friday, and that he's already been through 'more trauma than anyone can imagine'
Alex Murdaugh with wife Maggie and their sons Buster (left) and Paul (right)
Tracy Kinsinger holds up a sign as Alex Murdaugh walks into the Colleton County Courthouse for sentencing Friday, March 3, 2023 in Walterboro, S.C
Prosecutor John Meadors (right) leaving the Colleton County Court March 3rd 2023
The Netflix series Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal was released during the trial
'If he'd let that lay without taking the stand, he was toast. Taking the stand - could he pull it off? Apparently he didn't.'
Harpootlian also slammed a 'comedy of errors' by the
