3 Years Into Life Sentence, Alex Murdaugh to Get His Day Before South Carolina Supreme Court

COLUMBIA, S.C.—The appeals are just beginning for disgraced former South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh, who is almost three years into a life sentence without parole for killing his wife and son. The South Carolina Supreme Court has agreed to hear Murdaugh’s appeal of his murder convictions. His lawyers said they resulted from jury tampering by the clerk of court who watched over jurors during his six-week trial. And in federal court, Murdaugh is appealing the 40-year sentence he was given after pleading guilty to stealing nearly $11 million from clients and his law firm. Defense attorneys said that punishment—10 years longer than the maximum recommended by sentencing guidelines—is too harsh under the U.S. Constitution. Prosecutors said it is a backstop in case Murdaugh, now 56, ever manages to get his murder conviction overturned....