Criminal Lawyer Reacts to the Verdict & Sentencing in the Alex Murdaugh Trial 

Apologies about the audio, something happened during processing and I can not change it post upload.

I'm so grateful for you, Bruce Rivers! Your years of experience, your honest and no bs/straightforward style of commentary is so appreciated in these cases. I watch with Emily D Baker (EDB) as she is affectionately referred to by us Law Nerds. She is a retired L.A. County Prosecutor, so I come here for your wisdom and perspectives from the Defense. Thank you!💜

Did you know the judges son died in Jan.? How hard this must have been, on top of the working relationship.

I love Judge Newman! What an outstanding & very fair Judge, so amazingly patient to had to put up with this monster through this whole trial. So now the Judge sentenced him & throws away the key😁😁. Ten 🌟 s

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy work day for this video! I saw it live, but your take was wonderful.

Hi Bruce. I recently found your channel. So damn funny! And then I discovered you're out of Minneapolis. I grew up in the Twin Cities, and you may be just as funny as my attorney who helped me out immensely during my domestic case regarding my daughter. She is now 33, happy and healthy, thank goodness. I don't want to put his name out there, but I'd be happy to DM it to you, but didn't want to assume that is OK. I was born and raised in St. Paul (Highland Park), but lived for several across the river. My daughter and I moved to LA 6 years ago where the weather is much more palatable. So, thanks for your great humor especially with Sarah Boone.

Thank you Bruce! Everything you and your son put out is perfect. Chef's kiss every effing time. =)

This is one of Bruce's best commentaries, and that is saying a lot. I didn't know about the judge losing his son. How brave and dutiful of that noble man to carry on.

32.29 great editing leaving that in 😂❤😂

I wouldn’t be surprised if Alex died in prison. Also the deputy nodding his head while side eyeing Alex is a whole mood

Some people keep saying they don't understand Alex's motive for killing his wife and son. If you've ever been ensnared by a grandiose controlling narcissist you can see it. This guy would rather KILL his wife and son than suffer the humiliation of them finding out their suspicions about his addiction and financial situations were even worse than they thought. They had challenged his facade. They challenged his control over his money, property and reputation. They challenged his control over THEM. In his twisted mind, killing them would end the threats to his control and bring everyone else running to comfort and protect him. He had been lying and manipulating for so long he thought he could get away with murder. He loves no one, not even Buster. Hopefully Buster will get serious help. He's going to need it.

This had to be so heartbreaking to the judge. He lost and buried his own son just weeks before. To know that Alec blew his own sons brains out has to be so horrible and sad for the judge.

I read the judge’s wife was in the gallery and spends time with him that way especially since recent loss of their son. Very sad case for all parties but the jury got it right.

Judge Newman really did have a calm demeanor and was so professional, especially considering his own recent tragedy of losing his son, a 40 year old attorney and councilman to a cardiac condition.

This is probably the first time in his entire life that Alex Murdaugh has had to face up to what he's done. After a life of wealth and privilege and getting away with every nasty and horrible thing he's ever done , this must be a complete shock to his system! It's about time he got a dose of justice and like Judge Newman said I'm betting that every night when Alex closes his eyes Paul and Maggie are there to remind him of what he did to them.

Dude was so ignorant thinking he could testify and talk his way out his ego is off the charts

What a wonderful, eloquent judge. He gives such "disappointed dad" vibes I wouldn't be able to bear facing him in fear I'd done something wrong....

I had the same reaction and I'm not a lawyer. The anxiety is real. Alec controlled his own defense and acted like his own lawyer when he decided to get on the stand and in the end, he had a fool for a client. He removed all doubt the jury may have had the moment he took the stand. calling his son Paw Paw and carrying on and on lying about silly sh*t he didn't need to lie about. The Prosecutor's method of questioning a talkative liar like Alec was perfect! He let him talk and soon he convicted himself.

Paul's video of the dog in the kennel was the Holy Grail. This story is right out of a movie.

If not for a dog catching a chicken. And two women that refused to change their memory when Alex wanted them to. He could not talk himself out of the timeline.

2 jurors test pos for covid, one had an urgent care visit, 1 was kicked for discussing the case. They saved the very last 1 in a room alone during deliberations just in case. They almost ran out of alternates, that was wild.

This guy had everything and on top of all that, he had power in his small town. He got away with small crimes and he incrementally increased the severity of them because he was never punished. Makes me wonder what his father and grandfather got away with.

Bruce, I have to tell you a funny story. My wife and I were coming back from Hilton Head South Carolina after a little time on the beach and we stopped in Walterboro on the day that the Alex Murdaugh verdict was given. We were having lunch at Cracker Barrel, and I mentioned to the waitress, I understand that Alex Murdaugh was found guilty today and that opened up quite a conversation. Apparently, since this trial was such a big deal for Walterboro, the city spent a bunch of money, fixing up the grounds of the courthouse, the streets that let up in to the courthouse for all the television and news outlets, I guess they wanted to present a lovely courthouse for the spectacle that was the Alex Murdaugh trial.

Did you know the judge lost his 40 year old son in January? He did an amazing job.

Judge Newman's 40-year-old son died in January 2023 of a heart attack, just as the Murdaugh trial went underway, yet Judge Newman forged on with this trial of Alex Murdaugh for murdering his own son and wife. Nevermind that Judge Newman knew Alex from prior courtroom appearances as an attorney, nevermind that he had to remove the portrait of Alex's father from the courthouse before the case was tried, but the judge also, just weeks before the sentencing today, endured the most horrific event that (sane) parents can imagine: burying their own child. When I heard Judge Newman say to Alex who stood in judgment before him, “For the murder of Paul Murdaugh" "whom you probably loved so much, I sentence you to prison for murdering him for the rest of your natural life,” my heart broke for Judge Newman, for the Beach family, for Stephen Smith's family, for the surviving Murdaugh family, and for everyone entangled into this twisted web that Alex Murdaugh spun. And last but not least, we cannot ignore the progress encapsulated in today's sentencing. Judge Newman, an African-American who was born in rural SC in 1951 and attended segregated schools, today sentenced a wealthy, white, Southern man--whose family "was the law" in the Lowcountry for a century, who was at the center of the good-ol'-boy network, and who was a successful attorney and even an assistant solicitor--to two consecutive life terms for the murder of his wife and son. It is evidence our nation's forward strides towards equality accompanied by crushing loss. I don't recall who said today that "there are no winners," but it is true. Every ray of light to emerge from this case was refracted into a thick fog of tragedy. So much pain still plagues so many within the community, and the reckoning has only begun. This unthinkable case taps into every complexity we still face in America, and we can only hope that “the arc of the moral universe...[still] bends toward justice.”

Shout out to this judge. He did a fantastic job every day!

When the judge said you may not have done this … but the person you became while drugged up did (not included in your recap) … that was epic

I love Judge Newman! I can't imagine how it felt for him listening to how a man killed his own son in cold blood when he lost his own 40 year old son to a heartattack just 2 weeks before this trial began. 💔

Yes a 40 minute video on a Friday night thank you Bruce & Michael!

I loved Judge Newman. So calm. So wise. Compassionate but firm. He just made it all so clear to the world. Especially how Alex may have been a different man from the drug addiction when he killed his wife and child, but he was the same individual. And then he and his family for years in those courtrooms have put people to death for lesser crimes. And yet he got life in prison. I’m glad he brought that up.

This man literally had it all. Career, family, wealth, power, notoriety, and narcissism/sociopath!

My beautiful son was knocked down and killed by a car travelling at 62 mph/100kph. His injuries were horrific but he died instantly which is my only comfort because he didn't suffer any pain. I struggle every single day with the loss of my boy who was only 15 at the time. He was a mamas boy and one of the gentlest most loving people you could meet. How Alex could kill his own child in cold blood under any circumstances is beyond me. It's made especially hard when you hear the kennel video over the chicken and bubba. Alex murdered him only a couple of mins later. Yes he also murdered his wife but to do that to yoir own child, he deserves a special place in hell 🤬 I'm so heartbroken for the judge and his wife and family

"Within your own soul you have to deal with this" I pray for peace, forgiveness, and healing for all who have suffered and been touched by all these tragedies.

There is a problem with the audio.

Terrible fall for a man who had everything. No words for someone who threw away his life, ended the lives of two people he claims to love, damaged the lives of so many other people whom he cheated and stole from. And he brought his clan to shame and grief. The judge was quite composed for a father who had lost his own son in Jan 2023.

I live in this area and have many connections to the players in this story. A friend of 30 years was on the witness stand. The whole thing is so heartbreaking. Though I feel Alex is guilty, I so wish he wasn’t. How sad to end a family dynasty like this. This saga has consumed many of us in the community, and while the majority agree on the verdict, there’s also a feeling of deep sadness. This will live in everyone’s hearts and minds for a long time. Thanks Bruce once again for your informative insight.

I was married to a covert narcissist and I loved him but after 15 years I just couldn’t listen to his lies anymore. It becomes unbearable that they think so little of you that they think you should love them regardless. I was lucky I got away but not without the help of the law to protect me. Maggie and Paul weren’t so lucky. May they now RIP.

Judge Newman is an incredibly dignified, patient, kind, and fair judge.

Just found your channel! I have really enjoyed it, I worked at a maximum security prison and this has been great!! I have already spent way too much time watching your videos! (By the way you are a very sharp dresser) thanks for the tips and entertainment!!

I am SO READY for this video! Been waiting to hear your opinion!

From the videos of this trial I've seen, the Trial Judge was absolutely awesome as a Judicial Officer. Ran it straight down the runway no excursions.

The judge gave us all some healing and clarity with his magnificent closing. Alex looked very ill and a broken man.

I thought the judge was really amazing. It was the most clear a judge could ever be. When he said that Maggie and Paul visited him at night...WOW! I bet they do. Thanks again for a really good video. Btw, your theme song is stuck in my head and I don't mind.

Psychos and sociopaths always think they’re smarter than everyone else. Didn’t pan out so well for him this time.

You tickle me because you actually say or give voice to what so many of us are thinking. I almost spit out my red wine because of you! “Your Honor, he killed them but it wasn’t that bad.”

His jail tapes, particularly the conversation about dove and deer hunting, having Jim go out to the feeders, its going to come back on him. Buster sounded like he was about to come through that phone line and stop his dad from self-snitchin' and implicating them all in the destruction or obstruction of evidence. This isn't over.

Love how he states he would never hurt his wife or son. Yet, he did that for years w/his drug abuse, lies and embezzlement and yet he doesn’t consider that hurting his family. Flipping narcissists🙄🤦🏻‍♀️ He by no means sees his wife and son in his sleep. If anything, he’s po’d that they did THIS TO HIM and it’s NOT FAIR!

I really liked Judge Newman as well. Glad he will be the judge in the financial corruption.

I love how comfortable the judge looks in his chair 😊

Him: “Your head is pounding… Your palms are sweaty…” Me: “Are your knees weak?! Are your arms heavy?!”

Definitely not a handsome fellow or sons. Soulless evil eyes and lack of emotion. The one juror said he never cried. That it was just snot out his nose. The juror said he Sat extremely close to him and could see his emotions and face up close. Very interesting! Prosecutors weee right to say he loved himself most of all! Great analysis

Bruce, did you see the look on Alex's face when he finally realized his dog, his "Best friend" basically told on him by making him say Bubba! He was actually showing a real 'wow' moment. He was so hit with a moment of clarity he'd not even thought about. Good boy Bubba!

The Honorable Judge Clifton Newman is by far the best and most fair judge I’ve ever seen. His demeanor and the respect he has received has been top notch and Justice was truly served in this case.

Oh what a tangled Webb we weave when first we practice to deceive ..

Audio is echoing. Will this go away when you get your new studio?

I love the Judge, and that Deputy Standing behind him was GREAT! Thanks for sharing your Insight. And when you said "I want to chew my arm off"! I couldn't stop laughing!!!😍

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.~Sir Walter Scott

Given the reputation of the Murdaugh legacy, I wanted to believe he was innocent, but as the trial progressed, I realized this man actually murdered his wife and son. Words cannot express the absolute horror I feel for Maggie and Paul during their last moments of life while realizing their own husband and father were murdering them. May you both rest in peace, Maggie and Paul; so sorry your lives were taken in this manner. You'll never be forgotten.

eSign has been great but I feel like we need an eForms thrown in for variety

In Alex’s fantasy, he is such a loving husband, he left his wife and son all alone at the kennels, in the dark, isolated place, with no surveillance, poor phone service, with many guns around, knowing there were death threats to his son. Hmmmm, yeah, no. That doesn’t fly.

Can always count on my fellow Minnesotan Bruce to speak with logic and common sense. You and Emily D. Baker have had the best coverage.

“Have you ever been around someone that everything out their mouths is bullshit?” Yes. It’s trump.

As an Australian watching from across the globe, thank you for your break downs and explanations, they've really helped in understanding the workings of the SC legal system.

I love your videos. Am I the only one getting bad reverberation on the sound on this video?

Happy Friday to everyone who’s not out getting in trouble and watching this video . .

I liked Creighton and I appreciated his speech to the court. I saw it as he was giving an impact statement for Maggie and Paul since none of their family members were able to.

I love how the Judge got real personal on AM.

Is there an echo in here, in here, in here or is it my rig ? Anyone else ?

It was the strangest case I've seen yet but the judge was outstanding 👌👍

Two life sentences. That means if he dies in prison and gets reincarnated he goes straight back to prison. Daym

I thought it was interesting none of his family members spoke for him, including his brother and obviously his son.

To see this man, who had everything, succumb to his demons and perpetrate such atrocities. Heartbreaking. This case is about the misery of the human condition and we must all face the truth of our natures. Love you, Brucey. 🇧🇷

The biggest thing that sunk him was the lying. Lying about him in the video, him lying to his clients, lying about drug's, lying about his suicide, lying about the sheriff allowing him to have blue lights in his truck, and I can just keep writing

Good evening Bruce and thank you for breaking this final stage down. There are no winners and the judge has summarised the complex nature of the case very well. I live in Australia and I have watched films, documentaries and youtube vids on true crime in the US my whole life. This case has had me conflicted in so many ways. But Alex must look deep into himself and support his surviving son because he will need his dad regardless of being in prison. They can still have a loving and kind relationship. I feel for everyone in this case its very, very sad. Final note, thank you for being you.

I knew he'd be convicted when the defense lawyer, before giving his closing argument, said, "good morning" to the jury, and they didn't say it back.

Can you imagine, Alex is getting his ego stripped in front of his colleagues. My favorite was the walk of shame he did outside the courthouse to the sheriff's van. I loved it. Enjoy your prison food chump.

the judge Clifton Newman was exemplary. this speaks to the level of corruption in that SC circuit. alll of the judges should be like this, they need to dismiss the judges that are in the pocket of harpooplian. this is why harpoolian is so pissed.

Such a horrific and tragic case…. He’s where he belongs, where he can hopefully do no more harm.

You seriously crack me up sometimes! I've followed this case since the boating accident in 2019 & it has been like a John Grisham novel. I do think the jury made the correct decision. As the facts emerged, I knew he did it from the time it happened. It simply could not have been anyone else! I heard Buster, the surviving son broke down outside the courthouse after sentencing & had to be helped/carried to his vehicle. Poor kid...he didn't deserve this. A lot of people don't particularly care for Buster, but he's a victim and should be treated with kindness and compassion. He's only 26 years old and losing your entire family in such a horrific manner is an awful lot for such a young man to carry. I suspect nobody from either the Murdaugh or Branstetter (Maggie's) family wanted to give a victim impact statement because of Buster. They all want to maintain a relationship with him. Truly a sad situation.

The being done with someone who lies all the time… A friend of ours, years ago, was a con man Everything was a lie, except, part of his name. He was Great, funny, just a Great Guy. After he died we found out so much. It’s was Soul Crushing. We considered him family. Still hurts to this day.

Thanks Bruce. A fitting end to a case that's baffled us for so long. I hope more jurors will share their story.

Was Bruce's audio echoing for anyone else?

It really gave me chills when Prosecutor Waters described how AM would "stare [him] down" every day. I believe him because you could see the tight smirk on AM's face as he heard that. Alex seems like the type to do that, too. The sheriff nodding and giving that thundercloud side-eye was a treat. You know Alex could see him nodding in his periphery.

Thanks for walking us through this, Bruce. Murdaugh looks like a different person with all the weight fallen off him.

Thank you for covering this case, Bruce. I haven't followed this one, but I'm so sorry for all involved, all the bereaved and the wider community. The Judge really stands out as a man of integrity. Rest in Peace, Maggie and Paul 🙏

Watching Alex pay for his atrocious actions for the first time in his life in real time was satisfying

A few guys that went to college with Alex have spoken out. They called him a belligerent drink who often challenged people to fight and bragged about his family connections. Sound familiar, anyone?

That dog gave him away if he hadn’t chased the chicken we may not have heard Alex’s voice poor bubba saw everything he musta been so traumatised

actually maggie’s sister & her mom & dad could’ve delivered victim impact statements but i think they feel so heartbroken & betrayed by alex that they couldn’t even speak to do so 💔

As a trial lawyer you had to know that a verdict in 3 hours means, more often than not, that the verdict is guilty. I have never seen a jury come back that quickly with a non guilty verdict as if they are leaning that way, they take time to carefully review the evidence and make sure of their verdict.

The judge just seems so disappointed in Alex.

I think it goes deeper than just shady, escalating traits due to drug addiction. I think there is sociopathy.

I used to work as a victim advocate and would go to court with the victim or the family and waiting for that call from the court is very nerve racking. then when you see the call form the court your heart begins to pound. You know it is almost over but so scared that you are not going to get the verdict you want or was hoping for. One of the hardest things for a victim is not reacting to the verdict when it is read. We all have to remain calm in the court room. I had to hold the hands of many victims and give them a light squeeze to remind them not to react. We would give the jury the same respect we gave the judge, our office, The DA's office, would always stand for the jury. when people saw us standing they would stand as well.

I Love the seriousness of this deputy behind AM. Deputy is mean mugging the whole time and totally agreed when state was talking about AM eyeing him down multiple times. I am sure this Deputy has experienced this many times from AM as well! Also love this judges conduct and handing of this case!

Once again, you are one of the best brand ambassadors for an advertiser on the Internet. you are very sincere with Esign, and you go about it the right away instead of just mailing it in and taking their money. It is quite impressive and your endorsement means something because of it. Congrats.

I cannot understand that Poot was the Lawyer for Paul's case, & he LOST/ SO WHY WOULD YOU HIRE HIM FOR YOUR CASE/ POOT IS DEVASTED WITH THE VERDICT, WHY? HE KNEW HIS CLIENT WAS GUILTY AS WAS PAUL - sad but true! Appeal must not be gr anted-the sentence was a DEATH PENALTY - THROW AWAY THE KEY, WE DO NOT WANT TO HEAR FROM HIM OR HIS LAWYERS AGAIN - PERIOD!

Echo feedback delay on verdict readings, but your feedback is good. AM’s team (Harpootlian) stated after sentencing they believed he should have testified. But that’s when AM appeared an absolute sociopath, admitted to dozens of crimes, destroyed lives, stole, cheated, betrayed, right to the fake suicide lies, and then the dog kennels video after they cracked Paul’s phone??? No video, no charges. That video proved no end to AM’s lies. IMO it was not helpful & very harmful for the assumption of “doubt” once AM was seen battling everything, and staring down the Prosecutor. At no point did AM state he would do anything to rectify, make right, make whole, or seek to demonstrate intent to “reconcile” with victims. Just, “I did wrong, I lied, I stole,” but no evidence of sorrow. Such.a soulless crud could easily kill to save his skin, imo.

I feel bad for his family’s law firm they may never fully recover and their trust in the community is probably in the toilet. What a waste he had a golden ticket to life and he threw it away.

IN MY VIEW I want to believe saving grace was given twice: * Alex Murdaugh's father not being told what his son did and his passing spared him unbearable emotional trauma. * Alex Murdaugh's mother's Alzheimers has kept her from knowing what her son did.

There's an echo