After a marathon trial that captured the attention of the world, Alex Murdaugh, the 54-year old disgraced South Carolina attorney, was found guilty of murdering his wife and son and sentenced to life in prison Friday night. No impact statements were made during the sentencing.

The jury deliberated for less than 45 minutes, giving Murdaugh little respite before learning his fate. On the guilty verdict being announced, Murdaugh tensed his shoulders, shook lightly, and blinked rapidly. His eldest son Buster, present in the court, had his face in his hands, his eyes squeezed shut and his face reddening. Murdaugh maintained his innocence as the sentence was handed down, claiming he was innocent of the double murder.

Murdaugh’s defense had been that he was innocent and that prosecutors could not tie physical evidence to him, despite the shootings happening 50 miles from