On Friday afternoon, Alex Murdaugh, 54, was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murdering his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, 52, and their son, Paul Murdaugh, 22. It was a powerful rebuke from a rural South Carolina legal system that his family had dominated for over a century, applying justice to a powerful local family.

Judge Clifton Newman sentenced the former wealthy, influential Southern lawyer in a court room surrounded by reminders of his family’s past in the legal system. A portrait of his grandfather, Randolph Murdaugh, was taken down from a courthouse wall to illustrate the harshness of justice for the Godfather-like figure.

Newman's harsh words for Murdaugh showed how little respect the judge had for his slippery story and repeated lies. Mr. Murdaugh maintained his innocence, despite being seen as instrumental in the tragedy.

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