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1 year ago
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Relatives and supporters of Alex Murdaugh's housekeeper, who died in 2018 in mysterious circumstances, will confront him in court on Tuesday as he is sentenced for financial fraud.
Gloria Satterfield, 57, had worked for the wealthy South Carolina dynasty for 20 years when she 'fell and hit her head' at their home.
Murdaugh, a high profile South Carolina lawyer, told her sons Brian and Tony that they should file a claim on his insurance policy, which they did, winning a $4.3 million settlement.
But Murdaugh told them the claim was unsuccessful and kept the money for himself.
He admitted the deception in June 2022, as his life was unravelling - his wife Maggie and son Paul had been shot dead in June 2021, and in September 2021 he claimed he had been shot in the head in a roadside assassination attempt. He confessed shortly after to arranging for an associate to kill him, so his surviving son Buster could claim his life insurance policy.
Murdaugh was convicted of murdering Maggie and Paul in March this year, and sentenced to life in prison. He has also admitted to making up the story about Satterfield tripping over the dogs, although he did not say how she died.
On Tuesday, Murdaugh will be sentenced for defrauding the Satterfields and others.
Alex Murdaugh is seen on November 17 in court in South Carolina. He will be back in court on Tuesday for sentencing, having pled guilty to fraud
Gloria Satterfield, his housekeeper, died at their family home in February 2018, aged 57. He said she tripped over their dogs and fell
Glorida Satterfield's sons Brian and Tony (front) are seen with other members of the Satterfield family
Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman said he will allow Murdaugh's fraud victims to speak at the hearing, and the Satterfield's lawyer, Eric Bland, said he intends to address the court.
'I'm going to say that 'I heard you say that you wrongfully took. No, you didn't wrongfully take, you stole,'' Bland said.
'I heard you say you misrepresented. No, you didn't misrepresent, you lied.
'Yeah, let's not sugarcoat what you did. You're a thief and a liar.'
Bland told NBC News that Satterfield's family has already forgiven Murdaugh, and have drawn strength from their Christian faith.
But, he added, 'they won't forget.'
Tony Satterfield is seen on February 9 being questioned during Murdaugh's trial for killing his wife and son
Murdaugh was convicted on March 2 of the murders of his son Paul and wife Maggie at their South Carolina hunting lodge in June 2021. He is now serving life without parole, and is appealing his sentence
Buster, Paul, Maggie and Alex Murdaugh are pictured in a photo presented to jurors during the trial at Colleton County court on Tuesday, February 14
He said the chance to finally address Murdaugh is needed.
'It's not over yet, but to be able to face this monster — and he's going to have to listen,' Bland said.
'He can smile and he can smirk, but he can hear, and the words are going to go in his ears and he's going to listen.'
Murdaugh pled guilty to 22 counts of fraud in October.
When asked by the judge if he understood the seriousness of his guilty plea, Murdaugh responded there was 'no question in my mind.'
He added: 'I've had a long time to think about it.
Judge Newman. replied: 'I'm sure you have.'
His plea deal requires him to repay $9 million he admitted to stealing from clients at his law firm, and ensures that any jail time will be served simultaneously with any he receives from state courts.
Murdaugh is seeking to overturn his murder conviction.
Jim Griffin, one of Murdaugh's lawyers, said he 'feels very comfortable doing prison time for crimes he committed.'
He added: 'He does not feel comfortable doing prison time for the murders of his wife and son, which he did not do.'
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