Judge Who Sentenced Alex Murdaugh Speaks Out About Trial

Judge Newman is set to retire this year, but he is still assigned to preside over the financial crimes cases Murdaugh will stand trial for even if it goes into next year.

The judge who presided over the Murdaugh murder trial has spoken out for the first time.

South Carolina Circuit Court Judge, Clifton Newman, sentenced Alex Murdaugh to two consecutive life sentences after he was found guilty of murdering his wife and son in June of 2021.

Before announcing his sentence, Newman spoke directly to Murdaugh and said he would have to deal with the deaths of his wife and son in his ‘own soul’.

Newman mentioned Murdaugh taking the stand in his own trial and explained that once a defendant takes the stand and testifies, nearly everything is ‘fair game’.

Newman also addressed his decision to allow the jurors to visit the property where the murders took place. He explained that though the defense requested the actions, it overall ended up benefiting the prosecutors.

Judge Newman is set to retire this year, but he is still assigned to preside over the financial crimes cases Murdaugh will stand trial for even if it goes into next year.