In a stunning turn of events, disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh, who is already serving two life sentences for the murder of his wife and son, pleaded guilty to state financial crimes on Friday. The plea deal, which was revealed after a lengthy delay in a pretrial hearing, involves charges of embezzlement, computer crime, money laundering, and tax evasion, among others. Lead prosecutor Creighton Waters described the deal as a means to bring "finality to the matter" and ensure that Murdaugh remains in state prison for an extended period.

The agreement, if approved, would see Murdaugh sentenced to a total of 27 years in a South Carolina state prison, with 85% of the sentence required. The charges against Murdaugh span several counties in South Carolina, and the agreed-upon prison time for each charge was read out during the hearing. This plea deal comes in addition to Murdaugh's guilty plea in federal court in September to 22 counts of financial fraud and money laundering.

Judge Clifton Newman, who presided over the hearing, expressed his intention to accept the plea deal and scheduled a sentencing hearing for November 28. During this hearing, victims or their families will have the opportunity to speak. However, the deal still requires Newman's approval.

Murdaugh's legal troubles extend beyond the state financial charges. His defense team is currently seeking a new trial in the murder case, citing allegations of jury tampering by the court clerk. The clerk, Becky Hill, vehemently denied these allegations in an affidavit submitted to the court. Murdaugh's appeal of his murder convictions is currently on hold until a decision is made regarding the motion for a new trial.

Despite already serving life in prison without parole, Murdaugh remains entangled in over 100 other state and federal charges, which include allegations of stealing millions from clients and evading state income taxes. The once-respected attorney has fallen from grace, and his legal battles continue to unfold as South Carolina grapples with the shocking revelations surrounding his crimes.

It remains to be seen whether Judge Newman will approve the plea deal and how the sentencing hearing on November 28 will unfold. The victims and their families will have an opportunity to confront Murdaugh, bringing some measure of closure to the financial crimes he committed while also grappling with the loss of their loved ones in the murder case. As the saga continues, the public watches closely, eager for justice to be served in this complex and deeply troubling case.