The disgraced former South Carolina attorney, Alex Murdaugh, finds himself in hot water once again, this time for an unauthorized interview given from behind bars. Despite being less than six months into his double life sentence for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul, Murdaugh landed himself in trouble for participating in a Fox Nation documentary, “The Fall of the House of Murdoch,” which premiered Thursday.
Unauthorized Interview Lands Alex Murdaugh in Trouble
According to records from the South Carolina Department of Corrections, inmate number 0039394, Alex Murdaugh, admitted to using another inmate’s pin number to make a phone call on August 9th. During this phone call, which took place in June, Murdaugh participated in a recorded interview with his attorney, Jim Griffin.
Alex Murdaugh on trial for the murder of his wife and son
Prison officials received a report from the Inspector General on August 15th, stating that Griffin admitted to providing the recording to a production company. In their report, prison officials noted, “Inmate Murdaugh willingly and knowingly abused his telephone privileges to communicate with the news media for his own gain.”
Murdaugh’s Actions Violate Prison Policy
The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) maintains a longstanding policy prohibiting inmates from conducting interviews. This policy, rooted in victim’s rights, aims to protect victims and their families from encountering the perpetrator in the media.
“SCDC’s interview policy is rooted in victim’s rights and is longstanding,” a prison spokesperson said in a news release. “The department believes that victims of crime should not have to see or hear the person who victimized them or their family member on the news.”
Consequences for Breaking Prison Rules
Murdaugh’s actions resulted in disciplinary action, including the loss of his tablet and phone privileges for 30 days. These are considered administrative charges and not criminal offenses. Prison officials have not yet determined if Murdaugh will regain access to his tablet after the 30-day period.
Adding to the severity of the situation, prison officials issued a stern warning to Murdaugh’s legal team. Should they facilitate another unauthorized interview, they risk being permanently banned from visiting Murdaugh at the prison.
The Interview and Its Contents
The Fox Nation documentary, featuring the unauthorized interview with Murdaugh, delves into the high-profile case and its intricacies. The documentary includes trial footage, interviews with Murdaugh’s attorneys, and notably, the first interview with his surviving son, Buster Murdaugh.
Buster, in his interview, maintains his belief in his father’s innocence. He describes the experience as “an absolutely excruciatingly difficult experience.”
Life Behind Bars for Alex Murdaugh
Currently housed in a special protective custody wing of an undisclosed prison in South Carolina, Murdaugh works as a custodian. His legal team is in the process of appealing his murder convictions.
The Future of the Murdaugh Case
While Murdaugh awaits the outcome of his appeal, the fallout from the unauthorized interview continues. This incident raises questions about media access to high-profile inmates and the potential impact on victims’ rights.
FAQ
Q: What did Alex Murdaugh do?
A: Alex Murdaugh, a former South Carolina attorney, is currently serving a life sentence for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. He recently violated prison policy by participating in an unauthorized interview for a Fox Nation documentary.
Q: What were the consequences of Murdaugh’s actions?
A: Murdaugh lost his tablet and phone privileges for 30 days. His legal team was also warned that further violations could result in a permanent ban from visiting him in prison.
Q: What is the South Carolina Department of Corrections’ stance on inmate interviews?
A: The SCDC has a long-standing policy prohibiting inmate interviews. This policy is based on protecting the rights of victims and their families.
Q: What’s next for Alex Murdaugh?
A: Murdaugh is currently appealing his murder convictions. The unauthorized interview and subsequent disciplinary actions could potentially impact his case.