Alex Murdaugh judge breaks silence for first time after sentencing killer to life in prison

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The judge who presided over Alex Murdaugh’s double murder trial has broken his silence for the first time since he sentenced the killer to life in prison. On Tuesday, Judge Newman also said that he stands by some of his key rulings in the trial – including the decision to allow jurors to hear evidence of Murdaugh’s financial crimes. During the trial, Judge Newman also ruled in favour of the defence to allow the jurors to visit the Murdaugh’s Moselle estate in Islandton, South Carolina, where the murders took place. open image in gallery Judge Clifton Newman presides over Alex Murdaugh’s double murder trial “A lawyer who admittedly was strung out on drugs and more than anything else, a man who’s accused of killing his wife and his son.