The judge who presided over Alex Murdaugh’s double murder trial has spoken out publicly about the case for the first time, saying he has “no doubt” that Murdaugh loved his family despite committing “an unforgivable, unimaginable crime.”

Judge Clifton Newman told more than 300 students at Cleveland State University that he believes Alex Murdaugh loved his wife, Maggie, and his son, Paul – even though he murdered them.

CLEVELAND — The judge who presided over Alex Murdaugh's murder trial in South Carolina told his law school he wasn't surprised the jury came back with a guilty verdict in three hours. Judge Clifton Newman returned to Cleveland State University where he ...