Judge Clifton Newman spoke about Alex Murdaugh’s lies during the inquest, saying his murdered wife and son should “come to visit” as he tries to fall asleep, to which Murdaugh replied that he sees them “all day and every night” .
Newman said Murdaugh’s murder conviction qualifies for the death penalty.
“I have no doubt whatsoever about the state’s decision not to carry out the death penalty. But as I sit here in this courtroom and look around at the many portraits of judges and other court officials and contemplate the fact that in the past century your family — including you — have been prosecuting people here in this courtroom, and many have received the death penalty, probably for lesser conduct,” Newman said.
The judge then asked Murdaugh about his statement during testimony about lying to investigators about his whereabouts the night of the murders.
“Remind me of the expression you uttered on the witness stand. … ‘Oh, what a tangled web we weave.’ What do you mean?” he asked, and Murdaugh replied, “I meant that when I lied, I kept lying.”
The judge then said, “And the question is, when will it end? When will it end? And it’s already over for the jury, because they’ve concluded that you’ve been lying and lying all through your testimony.”
“It has already ended for many who have heard you and have come to the conclusion that it will never end, but in your own soul you will have to deal with it. And I know you must see Paul and Maggie at night when you I I’m sure they’ll come to see you, I’m sure,’ he said.
Murdaugh said he sees his wife Maggie and son Paul “all day and every night.”
“And they’ll keep doing that and thinking about the last time you looked them in the eye, the way you looked the jury in the eye,” Newman said.
Murdaugh again said he is innocent.