• Judge Clifton Newman acknowledges Murdaugh’s family’s dominance of local justice.
• But does not disagree with the state’s decision to forgo the death penalty.
• “Many have received the death penalty, probably for lesser conduct”, he adds.

Judge Clifton Newman is speaking right now, and he claims that this case has been among the “most worrisome cases” for the state, the defense side, and the people of the state.

He talks about how the Murdaugh family has dominated local justice for more than a century.

He describes how, before the trial started, he had Murdaugh’s grandfather’s portrait taken down from the back of the courthouse.

Speaking to Murdaugh personally, he calls it “heartbreaking” to see him go from a distraught father to the man found guilty of killing his wife and son.

He informs the court that he does not disagree with the state’s decision to forgo the death penalty, but adds that he has been considering how Murdaugh‘s family has tried cases in the same courtroom for more than a century.

“Many have received the death penalty, probably for lesser conduct”, he adds.

He says Murdaugh continued to “lie and lie” throughout his testimony.

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