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Alex Murdaugh— Case Archive
personpersonTony SatterfieldTony SatterfieldGloria Satterfield's son, who relied on Alex Murdaugh to handle the insurance claim arising from her death.← All People
Witness

Tony Satterfield

Courtroom still of Tony Satterfield.

Gloria Satterfield's son, who relied on Alex Murdaugh to handle the insurance claim arising from her death.

Appeared2023 Murder Trial
303 lines·7 proceedings·2 mentions

About

Tony Satterfield testified about an insurance claim arising from his mother's death after a fall at Moselle. He said Alex Murdaugh offered to pursue the claim, directed him to provide bills and paperwork, and remained the person he regarded as his lawyer even after Cory Fleming and Chad Westendorf became involved.

Satterfield described periodically asking Murdaugh for updates and being told that the claim was difficult but progressing. He testified that he was not informed about the stated $505,000 and approximately $3.8 million recoveries or a $5 million umbrella policy, and that Murdaugh paid him none of the settlement proceeds before a later legal process.

Cross-examination tested the timing and limits of Satterfield's recollection. He could not recall who initiated one contact or whether it occurred before or after the killings. He agreed that the identified calls concerning the claim occurred June 22 and that he had not accused Murdaugh before June 7 or threatened exposure before June 8. On redirect, he returned to his April inquiries, continued reliance on Murdaugh, and lack of payment from him.

Trial Record (7)

20232023 Murder TrialJan 23, 2023 – Mar 3, 2023Called by prosecution

Tony Satterfield testified for the State about relying on Alex Murdaugh to handle an insurance claim arising from his mother's death, the updates he received, settlement proceeds he said were not disclosed, and the absence of payment from Murdaugh. Cross-examination tested his recollection and the timing of his inquiries, accusations, and any threat of exposure.

Day 10

DirectTony Satterfield - DirectTony SatterfieldCreighton Waters2highlights97lines spoken

Summary

In an in-camera admissibility hearing, Tony Satterfield described trusting Alex Murdaugh to handle claims arising from Gloria Satterfield's death, receiving incomplete settlement information, and later learning that settlement proceeds had been diverted.

Highlights (2)

Quote“I vaguely remember, but it was, like, you know, let me go after my insurance company for this or whatever, you know, kind of get these medical bills and stuff paid.”— Tony SatterfieldSatterfield gave his qualified recollection of Murdaugh's initial proposal following Gloria Satterfield's death.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“Because he said if we had any medical bills, just forward them to him, and I didn't know if I needed to do anything with it.”— Tony SatterfieldThe statement explains Satterfield's continued reliance on Murdaugh and the purpose of the fax reflected in State's Exhibit 372.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 11

ProceduralRule 404(b) Ruling and Limiting InstructionMentioned

Summary

The court admitted alleged financial-crimes evidence under Rule 404(b), Rule 403, and res gestae, clarified that the ruling extended beyond June 7, and addressed the defense's request for a limiting instruction and preserved objection.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 14

DirectTony Satterfield - DirectTony SatterfieldCreighton Waters2highlights157lines spoken

Summary

Tony Satterfield described trusting Alex Murdaugh to pursue insurance proceeds after Gloria Satterfield's death, receiving progress reports without disclosure of recoveries, and later obtaining a confession of judgment concerning the missing funds.

Highlights (2)

Quote“The goal was to get me and my brother, Brian, at least $100,000 apiece.”— Tony SatterfieldSatterfield described the recovery Murdaugh initially represented as the objective of the insurance claim.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
Quote“That my brother, he's a vulnerable adult and he's not able to function as a normal human being to deal with stuff like that.”— Tony SatterfieldSatterfield explained why he, rather than Brian, initially served as personal representative of their mother's estate.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
CrossTony Satterfield - CrossTony SatterfieldDick Harpootlian1highlight30lines spoken

Summary

Tony Satterfield said he had not accused Alex Murdaugh before June 7 or threatened him with exposure before June 8 and acknowledged a later civil recovery exceeding the stated loss.

Highlights (1)

Quote“Well, it was Alex Murdaugh. They were all a team.”— Tony SatterfieldSatterfield explained why he continued to view Murdaugh as involved in handling the claim despite Cory Fleming's formal role.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶
RedirectTony Satterfield - RedirectTony SatterfieldCreighton Waters1highlight11lines spoken

Summary

Tony Satterfield dated the case-related texts to April 2021, recalled Murdaugh's recurring status explanations, and reaffirmed that he considered Alex his lawyer and received no payment from him.

Highlights (1)