The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected Alex Murdaugh's appeal to overturn his 40-year federal prison sentence for financial crimes. Murdaugh, a disgraced South Carolina lawyer, pleaded guilty to stealing millions from his clients and law firm, with U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel imposing a harsher sentence due to the vulnerability of Murdaugh's victims. Murdaugh's defense argued that the sentence violated the Eighth Amendment's protection against cruel and unusual punishment as it exceeded the recommended 17.5 to just under 22 years. However, the appeal was dismissed on the grounds that Murdaugh had waived his right to appeal upon agreeing to a plea deal. Murdaugh is concurrently serving a life sentence for the murders of his wife and son, and must also pay nearly $9 million in restitution for his financial crimes.