Alex Murdaugh.Photo:Joshua Boucher/Pool/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty
Joshua Boucher/Pool/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty
Convicted murderer and former South Carolina attorneyRichard “Alex” Murdaughwill plead guilty to 22 federal charges for crimes spanning more than a decade.
On Tuesday, outlets includingCNN,USA Today andABC News 4reported that Murdaugh — who is currentlyserving two consecutive life sentencesfor the murder of his wife Maggie Murdaugh and son Paul Murdaugh in June 2021 — has agreed to plead guilty to the 22 charges.
Alex Murdaugh.Joshua Boucher/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty
Joshua Boucher/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty
The indictment alleges that in “a second scheme” Murdaugh worked with his banker,Russell Laffitte, to use the settlement funds for his “personal benefit, including using the proceeds to pay off personal loans and for personal expenses and cash withdrawals.” The indictment also details allegations of a “third scheme” and that Murdaugh additionally “conspired with a personal injury attorney in Beaufort to defraud the estate of Murdaugh’s former housekeeper and Murdaugh’s homeowner’s insurance carriers.”
Murdaugh is now scheduled for a plea hearing in U.S. District Court in Charleston on Thursday. At this time, federal court Judge Richard Gergel is expected to make a decision on whether he will grant or deny the plea agreement.
The plea deal states that if Murdaugh cooperates with the conditions of the deal, “Attorneys for the Government agree to recommend to the Court that the sentence imposed on these charges be served concurrent to any state sentence imposed for the same conduct.”
Alex Murdaugh.Joshua Boucher/The State/Pool/Tribune News Service via Getty
Joshua Boucher/The State/Pool/Tribune News Service via Getty
It was while Murdaugh was on trial for the murders of his wife and son that his alleged illegal business dealings were made public. During the trial, he confessed to stealing money from his client,per USA Today.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
On March 2, 2023, hewas found guiltyof murdering Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22, in June 2021 at the family’s 1,770-acre Islandton, S.C. home.
“You know, you have to see Paul and Maggie during the night time when you’re attempting to go to sleep,” Newman said to the lawyer during sentencing in March,per CNN. “Sure. They come and visit you.”
Alex Murdaugh.Joshua Boucher/Pool/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty
In addition to the murders of his wife and his son Paul, and allegations around his business dealings, the convicted killer allegedly tried to arrange asuicide-for-hireto gain a $10 million life insurance payout for his surviving son,Buster.
In August, Buster spoke to FOX Nation, saying he believed his father was innocent and that the person actually responsible for the murder of his family members was still free.
“I do not think that he could be affiliated with endangering my mother and brother,”Buster said. “We have been here for a while now and that’s been my stance.”
Murdaugh’s next state trial is scheduled to begin the week of Nov. 27 in Beaufort County, S.C.
source: people.com
