The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., filed the two-page order on Oct. 1 without hearing oral arguments from Murdaugh's defense team or federal prosecutors.
DRUGS, DECEIT AND DEATH
The downfall of Alex Murdaugh and a Lowcountry dynasty
THE MURDAUGH MURDER TRIAL
Catch up on how the trial went with these stories.
Alex Murdaugh, the wealthy scion of a powerful Lowcountry legal dynasty, was found guilty March 2 of murdering his wife and son in a pair of grisly slayings that captured international attention and kickstarted the former Hampton lawyer's precipitous downfall. Read moreAlex Murdaugh found guilty in June 2021 murders of wife Maggie, son Paul
Disgraced former attorney Alex Murdaugh will spend the rest of his life behind bars after his conviction for the June 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and son Paul. Read moreAlex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison after conviction in double-murder trial
While 12 jurors decided they were convinced of Murdaugh’s responsibility for the killings, the six-week trial did more to sketch the outlines of what happened on June 7, 2021, than it did to answer how and why it did. Read moreAlex Murdaugh’s double murder trial leaves enduring mysteries, even after guilty verdict
Disgraced former attorney Alex Murdaugh is a gifted liar who spent a decade concealing his true identity as a white-collar thief and opioid addict, prosecutor Creighton Waters told a Colleton County jury during his three-hour closing argument March 1. Read moreAlex Murdaugh's prosecutor warns jury in final argument: 'Don't let him fool you, too'
The latest on Alex Murdaugh
The disbarred attorney faces dozens of criminal charges that could send him to prison for life, as well as a slew of civil lawsuits alleging fraud on a massive scale.
The infamous ex-attorney Alex Murdaugh plans to fight the 40-year federal prison sentence he received after pleading guilty to a raft of financial crimes, according to a recent court filing. Read moreAlex Murdaugh plans to appeal 40-year sentence for federal financial crimes
The convicted murderer and disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh received a federal prison sentence on April 1 longer than many of America’s most notorious white-collar criminals. Read moreAlex Murdaugh's 40-year federal sentence places him among U.S.'s most notorious fraudsters
When Alex Murdaugh is sentenced in federal court April 1 for his financial crimes, the big question won’t be how much time he gets. Read moreAlex Murdaugh addresses victims, judge during federal prison sentencing in Charleston
Prosecutors acknowledged that a federal grand jury is still investigating the Murdaugh case. And they said they don't believe Murdaugh is being completely truthful about some $6 million they can’t account for. Read moreIs Alex Murdaugh lying about missing assets? Feds say polygraph indicates he is.
Libby Murdaugh was a prominent figure in Hampton County long before her son became a notorious figure. Her name came to international recognition during his closely watched double-murder trial. Read moreAlex Murdaugh ineligible to attend mother's funeral under SC prison rules
The most serious charges in Murdaugh’s indictment carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Read moreAlex Murdaugh to be sentenced for federal financial crimes April 1
The saga is not over, but after a whirlwind year, former S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal's decision may at least herald a new chapter. Read moreWhat's next in Alex Murdaugh saga after the SC ex-lawyer loses bid for new murder trial
Eleven of the 12 jurors testified their verdict was not influenced by Hill’s comments, and most said they hadn’t heard her make comments about the case at all. Read moreJudge in Alex Murdaugh jury tampering hearing decides no new trial for convicted murderer
Former S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal is set to hear testimony about whether Becky Hill tried to sway the jurors who convicted the disgraced attorney of murder. Read moreJudge in Alex Murdaugh jury tampering hearing decides no new trial
The S.C. Supreme Court’s 2020 decision narrowed the path to a new trial for defendants who believe their jury was swayed by outside influence. The question for Murdaugh is, how much narrower did it get? Read moreHow a 2016 murder in Laurens County will shape Alex Murdaugh’s attempt to get a new trial
Murdaugh defense attorney Dick Harpootlian said the hearing “won’t be delayed” after prominent Columbia lawyer Joe McCulloch was admitted to the hospital Jan. 22. Read moreAlex Murdaugh jury-tampering hearing expected to go on after witness's lawyer hospitalized
Last October, the Moselle home and 21 surrounding acres went up for sale for $1.95 million. Now, the owners have decided to put the home up for auction with an opening minimum bid of $1.1 million. Bids will be accepted from Feb. 9 to 15. Read moreMoselle, former Murdaugh home, will go to auction
The highly anticipated proceedings, scheduled to last three days, will begin Jan. 29 in Columbia. And despite Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys’ calls for a sweeping inquiry into Hill’s alleged actions, former S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal promised a “very focused inquiry.” Read moreJudge Toal sets high bar for Alex Murdaugh to win new double-murder trial
Former S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal will decide if the convicted murderer and infamous ex-attorney Alex Murdaugh deserves a new trial, according to an order issued Dec. 19. Read moreFormer SC chief justice Jean Toal to decide if Alex Murdaugh deserves new trial
It was in Beaufort that his downfall was finally cemented, just a mile from the waterfront where the first domino fell. Read moreAlex Murdaugh faces his victims in the SC city where his downfall began
Alex Murdaugh was sentenced Nov. 28 to 101 state financial crimes. Judge Clifton Newman formally accepted the plea agreement between Murdaugh and the Attorney General’s Office. It means Murdaugh is guaranteed to serve at least 85 percent of the 27-year sentence. Read moreNov. 28: Alex Murdaugh receives 27-year prison sentence for state financial crimes
Murdaugh’s culpability in the schemes was hardly in dispute. He had already pleaded guilty to nearly two-dozen federal charges and testified at length about his pattern of deceit, admitting he’d lived a life of lies. Read moreAlex Murdaugh pleads guilty to SC financial crimes, resolving scores of state charges
Circuit Judge Clifton Newman will not hear Alex Murdaugh’s request for a new murder trial, according to the S.C. Supreme Court, but the judge will still preside over the disbarred attorney’s upcoming trial for alleged financial crimes. Read moreJudge can preside over Alex Murdaugh financial trial, but won't hear murder case motions
Understand Murdaugh podcast
Understand Murdaugh is a podcast from The Post and Courier that dives into the intricacies of the Alex Murdaugh saga and the many related legal proceedings surrounding the disgraced former attorney.
In an aluminum-sided warehouse last month, dozens of people paid good money for various items from Alex Murdaugh’s hunting estate, where his wife Maggie and youngest son Paul were shot to death.
Read moreUnderstand Murdaugh: Inside the auction of the Murdaughs' property from the Moselle estate
In this bonus episode, public service and watchdog editor Glenn Smith answers questions surrounding the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial.
Disgraced former attorney Alex Murdaugh will spend the rest of his life behind bars after his conviction in the June 2021 murders of his wife and son, sealing his stunning downfall in a courtroom where his father, grandfather and great-grandfather once tried cases as this region's top prosecutors. Read moreUnderstand Murdaugh: "It might have been the monster you've become"
The latest on Russell Laffitte
The former CEO of Palmetto State Bank stands accused of dipping into customer accounts and helping Alex Murdaugh steal more than $1 million from their mutual clients.
Russell Laffitte, the former Hampton banker convicted of conspiring with Alex Murdaugh to steal from vulnerable clients, will report to federal prison Sept. 28 after a months-long fight to retain his freedom. Read moreRussell Laffitte to start prison sentence after court denies bid to stay out on bond
Russell Laffitte, the Hampton banker convicted of helping the former attorney Alex Murdaugh steal millions from clients, has vowed to appeal his sentence. Read moreRussell Laffitte sentenced to 7 years in prison for helping Alex Murdaugh steal
Laffitte, the former chief executive of Palmetto State Bank, is scheduled to appear on that date in U.S. District Court in Charleston, where his trial occurred late last year. Sentencing will be imposed by District Judge Richard Gergel, who presided over the November proceeding and has since turned down two requests from Laffitte for a new trial. Read moreRussell Laffitte, convicted of helping Alex Murdaugh steal, faces sentencing date
A judge ruled that Murdaugh’s word wasn’t enough to reverse the jury’s conclusion that Laffitte was guilty. Read moreRussell Laffitte again denied new trial on allegations he helped Alex Murdaugh steal
Laffitte's request came just days after U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel rejected a previous motion for a retrial on different grounds. Read moreRussell Laffitte again seeks new trial after Alex Murdaugh accepts blame for thefts
Former Hampton banker Russell Laffitte is not entitled to a new trial on allegations that he helped Alex Murdaugh steal money from clients, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel ruled March 6. Read moreJudge: Russell Laffitte, convicted of helping Murdaugh steal, not entitled to new trial
The latest on Carmen Mullen
The judge in South Carolina's 14th Circuit has faced questions over ties to Alex Murdaugh and her handling of a multi-million-dollar wrongful death settlement that he allegedly stole.
Newly released recordings accuse Carmen Mullen of trying to “make stuff up” to arrest a troubled man at the center of a 2017 disturbance in her neighborhood. Read moreRecordings detail SC judge's attempts to orchestrate arrest of troubled man
A South Carolina judge whose ties to disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh have come under scrutiny is now defending her actions in a just-revealed 2017 incident in which she allegedly tried to orchestrate the improper arrest of a troubled man in her neighborhood. Read moreSC Judge Carmen Mullen fires back against suggestion she abused power in 2017 incident
More than six months have passed since a pair of attorneys sounded alarms about Circuit Judge Carmen Mullen's handling of the $4.3 million Satterfield settlement, a secret legal deal that disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh allegedly stole. Read moreQuestions, complaints linger over state judge's role in Murdaugh saga
The latest on Curtis Smith
Murdaugh’s former client and alleged drug dealer has been accused of shooting the disbarred lawyer in the head as part of a botched insurance fraud scheme.
Curtis “Cousin Eddie” Smith has been subpoenaed as a potential witness in Alex Murdaugh’s upcoming double murder case, but state prosecutors apparently don’t want the disabled trucker to play a starring role in South Carolina’s trial of the century. Read moreMurdaugh prosecutors seek to limit Curtis Smith's role in upcoming trial
Curtis Smith, the disabled Walterboro trucker who authorities claim laundered money and trafficked drugs with disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh, failed a polygraph exam earlier this year when investigators questioned him about his role in the killings of Murdaugh's wife and son, according to new court filings. Read moreMurdaugh attorneys: Curtis Smith failed polygraph when questioned on Murdaugh murders
Curtis Smith, an alleged accomplice of disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh, will be jailed indefinitely for violating his house arrest and misrepresenting his net worth during a previous bond hearing, a judge decided Aug. 11. Read moreJudge jails alleged Murdaugh accomplice who violated house arrest
The latest on Mallory Beach
The 19-year-old woman died in a February 2019 boat crash that brought new scrutiny to the Murdaugh family, as well as criminal charges and lawsuits.
Attorneys representing Mallory Beach's family have requested the recusal of the judge overseeing their lawsuit against convenience store owner Greg Parker. The request is the latest development in what has been a multiyear legal battle between the Beach family and Parker. Read moreJudge in Murdaugh-related case over leaked photos of Mallory Beach's body asked to step down
Most of the money — $15 million — is being put forward by insurers for Parker’s Kitchen, a convenience store that sold Paul Murdaugh alcohol hours before the late-night Beaufort County crash. Read moreJudge OKs $15.5 million settlement for Mallory Beach's family in Murdaugh boat case
Attorney Dawes Cooke Jr., who is defending Alex Murdaugh in the civil lawsuits, said July 18 that the once-prominent Hampton lawyer was not part of a recently announced deal to bring the case to a close. Cooke's comments injected confusion into a deal that attorneys celebrated days earlier as the long-awaited end to a hard-fought legal fight. Read moreAlex Murdaugh has not settled lawsuits related to fatal 2019 boat crash, lawyers say
The latest on Gloria Satterfield
The 2018 death of Murdaugh’s former housekeeper is getting new attention after he was accused of stealing millions from a settlement he negotiated for her family.
The State Law Enforcement Division will exhume the remains of housekeeper Gloria Satterfield as part of its investigation into her death at the Murdaugh family’s home in 2018. Read moreSLED to exhume remains of Murdaugh family housekeeper as it investigates her death
Speaking on NBC's "Dateline" series Oct. 29, family members first described Gloria Satterfield as extremely satisfied with being a dependable caregiver to the Murdaugh family. Read moreMurdaugh housekeeper's family say it's hard not to believe a con was in play early
Disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh was arrested again Oct. 14 and charged with stealing money from a wrongful-death settlement that was owed to the family of his late housekeeper. Read moreAlex Murdaugh arrested again, charged with stealing money from housekeeper's settlement
Deeper Dives
Explore stories that examine how Murdaugh’s schemes unfolded and oversight failures that allowed them to go undiscovered for so long.
Attorney General Alan Wilson will soon make one of the defining decisions of his 12 years as South Carolina’s top prosecutor: whether to seek the death penalty for Alex Murdaugh, the disbarred Hampton attorney charged with killing his wife and son last June. Read moreDo defendants like Alex Murdaugh get the death penalty? SC will soon find out.
The South Carolina judge has presided over high-profile cases, including Michael Slager. But the Murdaugh spotlight is the most intense one yet. Read moreMurdaugh cases overseen by SC Judge Clifton Newman, who rose from segregated schools to bench
Palmetto State Bank faces scrutiny for its ties to Alex Murdaugh and his financial fraud schemes, and an exec's alleged role in stealing money from Murdaugh housekeeper Gloria Satterfield's family. Read morePalmetto State Bank's Murdaugh ties draw scrutiny from grand jury probes, regulators
New video — more than nine hours in all — from the aftermath of the 2019 boat crash that killed Mallory Beach in Beaufort County captures portions of officers’ conversations with the boat’s passengers as they assess the situation and seek to find out who was responsible for the crash. Read moreLaw enforcement missteps in Paul Murdaugh boat crash case captured in new recordings