Date set for Murdaugh federal appeal

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) – Alex Murdaugh could get to appeal his federal criminal sentence later this year.

A tentative date has been set for arguments in this case.

Court documents show that the hearing would be held in a Richmond, Virginia, federal court starting Oct. 29 and lasting up to three days.

Murdaugh’s attorneys filed an appeal earlier this month saying the 40-year sentence for a series of financial crimes is too harsh compared to other, similar cases and, because of his age, it is equivalent to a life sentence.

Murdaugh is asking the court to either vacate the sentence or send the case back to South Carolina’s federal courts for a redo.

He is still in a South Carolina prison serving two life sentences for killing his wife and son, Maggie and Paul.

He is appealing his murder sentence in State court as well.

The disbarred attorney is claiming “unprecedented jury tampering” by then Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill as to why he should be granted what he has called a “new fair trial.”