Relatives and supporters of Alex Murdaugh’s housekeeper, who died under mysterious circumstances in 2018, will confront him in court on Tuesday as he is convicted of financial fraud.
Gloria Satterfield, 57, had worked for the wealthy South Carolina dynasty for 20 years when she “fell and hit her head” in their home.
Murdaugh, a well-known South Carolina lawyer, told her sons Brian and Tony to file a claim on his insurance policy, which they did and received a $4.3 million settlement.
But Murdaugh told them the lawsuit was unsuccessful and kept the money for himself.
Alex Murdaugh is seen in court in South Carolina on November 17th. He will appear in court again on Tuesday to deliver his sentence after pleading guilty to fraud
Gloria Satterfield, his housekeeper, died at her family home in February 2018 at age 57. He said she tripped over her dogs and fell
He admitted the deception in June 2022 as his life was falling apart – his wife Maggie and son Paul had been shot dead in June 2021.
In September 2021, he claimed he was shot in the head in a roadside assassination attempt.
Shortly thereafter, he confessed that he had hired an associate to kill him so that his surviving son, Buster, could claim his life insurance.
Murdaugh was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Maggie and Paul in March of this year.
He has also admitted to making up the story that Satterfield stumbled upon the dogs, although he did not say how she died.
On Tuesday, Murdaugh will be sentenced for defrauding the Satterfields and others.
District Court Judge Clifton Newman said he would allow Murdaugh’s fraud victims to speak at the hearing, and Satterfield’s attorney, Eric Bland, said he planned to speak in court.
“I’ll say, ‘I heard you took wrongly.’ “No, you didn’t steal wrongly, you stole,” Bland said.
Gloria Satterfield’s sons Brian and Tony (front) are seen with other members of the Satterfield family
Tony Satterfield is seen on February 9 being questioned during Murdaugh’s trial for the murders of his wife and son
“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 has drawn strength from their Christian faith.
But he added: “They won’t forget it.”
He said the chance to finally address Murdaugh was needed.
“It’s not over yet, but to be able to face this monster — and he has to listen,” Bland said.
“He can smile and he can grin, but he can hear, and the words will go into his ears and he will listen.”
Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 22 counts of fraud in October.
When asked by the judge if he understood the gravity of his guilty plea, Murdaugh replied that there was “no question in my mind.”
He added: “I’ve thought about it for a long time.
Judge Newman. replied, “I’m sure you did.”
Murdaugh was convicted on March 2 for the June 2021 murders of his son Paul and his wife Maggie at their South Carolina hunting lodge. He is now serving a life sentence without parole and is appealing his sentence
Buster, Paul, Maggie and Alex Murdaugh are pictured in a photo presented to jurors during the trial in Colleton County Court on Tuesday, February 14th
His plea deal requires him to repay $9 million he admits to stealing from clients of his law firm and ensures that any prison sentences will be served concurrently with those he receives in state courts.
Murdaugh is trying to overturn his murder conviction.
Jim Griffin, one of Murdaugh’s lawyers, said he feels “very comfortable serving prison time for the crimes he committed.”
He added: “He doesn’t feel comfortable going to prison for the murders of his wife and son, which he didn’t do.”