Federal Court Rejects Alex Murdaugh's Appeal of 40-Year Sentence

Murdaugh's appeal was dismissed, upholding his 40-year sentence for financial crimes involving nearly $11 million in thefts.

A federal court in South Carolina dismissed Alex Murdaugh's appeal to overturn his 40-year prison sentence for financial crimes.
Murdaugh's lawyers argued the sentence was excessively harsh and violated his Eighth Amendment rights, but the court ruled he waived his right to appeal by pleading guilty.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel imposed a harsher sentence than recommended, citing Murdaugh's theft from vulnerable clients who trusted him.
Murdaugh is already serving life sentences for the 2021 murders of his wife and son, and his federal sentence will run concurrently with his state sentence.
Murdaugh's legal team is considering their options following the appeal's dismissal, and his cases are expected to remain in appellate courts for years.