Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty

In the minutes before Judge Clifton Newman delivered his sentence for Alex Murdaugh - two life sentences, consecutively, for the murders of his wife and son - he sat back, rocking his chair back and forth, and addressed the defendant directly.

"I don't question at all the decision of the state not to pursue the death penalty," Judge Newman said in a slow and balanced tone. "But I sit here... and reflect on the fact that over the past century your family, including you, have been prosecuting people in this courtroom and many have received the death penalty, probably for lesser conduct."

Murdaugh, standing before him, said nothing.

For six weeks, Judge Newman, 71, presided over Murdaugh's murder trial - one of the most closely-watched in the country.