Convicted Murderer Alex Murdaugh Strikes Plea Deal, Faces Additional Prison Time

Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh has struck a plea deal in a separate financial crimes case, which will result in him facing additional prison time. The deal was made just days before a trial was scheduled to begin in South Carolina.
Under the agreement, Murdaugh, 55, will plead guilty to more than a dozen counts, including money laundering, breach of trust, and financial fraud. In exchange for his guilty plea, Murdaugh will serve a 27-year sentence, according to reports from The Associated Press.
This plea deal will add to the life sentence Murdaugh is already serving for the killing of his wife and son in 2021. Earlier this year, Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 22 counts of financial fraud and money laundering in federal court. Now, as he prepares to face sentencing for the financial crimes, he will avoid a state trial that was set to commence immediately after.
As a seasoned lawyer, Murdaugh had been accused of embezzling millions of dollars in legal settlements intended for injured clients and families of deceased individuals. Additionally, he faced allegations of siphoning funds from his own law firm and evading hundreds of thousands of dollars in state income taxes.
In March of this year, Murdaugh was found guilty of fatally shooting his wife and son. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, his defense team is currently seeking a new trial by claiming that the court clerk tampered with the jury—a claim that the clerk has denied.
Throughout the murder case proceedings, Murdaugh has steadfastly maintained his innocence. Prosecutors, on the other hand, have argued that he orchestrated the killings as a way to garner sympathy, knowing that his financial crimes would soon be exposed.
The plea deal agreed upon by the defense and the prosecution is currently awaiting the approval of Judge Clifton Newman. Should the deal be accepted, a sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 28.