Chapter 14 – Forge

Judge Clifton Newman

Judge Clifton Newman is a circuit court judge in South Carolina, where he has served since 2000. 

Prior to his election, Judge Newman was an attorney and served as an assistant solicitor in Williamsburg County for 17 years.

Newman is a member of both the South Carolina and Ohio State Bar Associations.

In September 2021, Judge Newman was assigned to the criminal investigations involving Gloria Satterfield and Paul and Maggie Murdaugh. 

After Alex was found guilty of the murders of Paul and Maggie in March 2023, Judge Newman sentenced him to two consecutive life sentences. 

Recently, Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys have discussed interest in having Judge Newman step down from presiding over their client’s criminal cases, claiming he is a witness in alleged jury tampering in Alex’s murder trial.

Judge Carmen Mullen 

Judge Carmen Mullen is a circuit court judge in South Carolina, where she has served since 2006. 

She oversees the 14 Circuit, representing the following counties: 

• Allendale
• Beaufort
• Colleton
• Hampton
• Jasper

Prior to her election in 2006, Judge Mullen served as a law clerk for Judge Casey Manning of the 5 Circuit in South Carolina. 

She also served as an assistant public defender in Charleston County before working as an attorney at her private firm until her 2006 election. 

At present, Judge Mullen serves in the same circuit where Duffie Stone is a current solicitor and where Alex Murdaugh previously practiced law. 

In Feb. 2018, Judge Mullen was accused of assisting Cory Fleming to keep fund transfers from Gloria Satterfield’s wrongful death settlement out of the public record. 

Mullen was also accused of removing Alex Murdaugh’s name from the settlement and having two secret hearings regarding the Satterfield settlement and did not file any documents with the court–a severe breach in protocol.