maggie, and their 22-year-old son, paul. what murdaugh said in court declaring his innocence one final time before the sentence was handed down the judge's scathing words condemning the, quote, monster that murdaugh has become. our team at the courthouse. also tonight, the deadly storms on the move in the southeast after tornadoes left a path of destruction across three states. 80 million under wind alerts hundreds of thousands without power. we're tracking it. the white house revealing president biden had skin cancer removed at walter reed what his doctor is saying about the procedure. the infant death linked to a common device used by so many moms, the cdc's warning to parents. chris rock ready to break his silence in a first of its kind live special what he's expected to say about will smith's infamous oscar slap. and my conversation with the vietnam war hero who received a long overdue honor today at the white house.

>> announcer: this is "nbc nightly news" with lester holt good evening, and thank you for being with us. in barely 15 hours, alex murdaugh went from disgraced attorney to convicted killer to a man who tonight is condemned to life in prison. the wheels of justice moving rapidly in south carolina where the jury began its deliberations only midafternoon yesterday. three hours later finding murdaugh guilty of murdering his wife and son, and today his sentencing hearing where emotions ran high, murdaugh wearing a jail issued jumpsuit as he learned his fate, two consecutive life sentences. the judge speaking to him in personal terms telling him he would have to reconcile with as he put it the monster you have become murdaugh one more time denying he harmed his wife and son, but admitting that he continues to lie catie beck reports >> reporter: before alex murdaugh's fate

was sealed entering court in a tan jumpsuit and shackles, judge newman offers the disbarred attorney who once practiced in the same court a final chance to speak the truth. >> but i'm innocent. i would never under any circumstances hurt my wife, maggie, and i would never under any circumstances hurt my son, paw-paw >> and it might not have been you. it might have been the monster you've become when you take 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 opioid pills. >> reporter: newman who has reserved opinion and comments on the case for six weeks speaking from the heart friday about murdaugh's tangled web of lies. >> to have you come and testify that it was just another ordinary day that my wife and son and i were out just enjoying life is not credible, not believable

you can convince yourself about it, but obviously you have the inability to convince anyone else about that >> reporter: but murdaugh's defense team feels ultimately that it wasn't fair. they plan to appeal on grounds that murdaugh's financial crimes should have never been admissible. >> so it was judicial bait and switch. >> reporter: murdaugh's team says they wavered on whether he should testify in his own defense but decided in the end without it he'd have at times during the trial, jim griffin originally retained to represent paul murdaugh in the 2019 boat case overwhelmed with emotion >> i respectfully request that you do not compound a family

tragedy with another >> never once during the whole period of time did i ever think alex could have murdered maggie and paul, and as i sit here today, my belief in that is as strong as it was the day they were murdered. >> would you call alex murdaugh your friend >> yeah, he is my friend. i am, like many others, i'm disgusted with his conduct as a lawyer, and he's put a black stain on the legal profession he has been very gracious, very humble. >> reporter: but for the judge, amends aren't enough, handing down two consecutive life sentences, saying accountability has come to call and will for all of murdaugh's remaining days >> and i know you have to see paul and maggie during the nighttimes when you're attempting to go to sleep i'm sure they come and visit you, i'm sure. >> all day and every night. >> yeah, i'm sure. >> catie, one thing we have seen in this modern trial is the role technology now plays in solving crimes

>> reporter: that's right, lester. typically when you think of forensics, you think of dna or fingerprints, but in this case, it was text messages, social media posts, and gps that told the story of this time line. both sides agree that without that critical piece of evidence, the cell phone video from the kennels, this case might have ended another way. lester. >> all right, catie beck, thank you. and joining me now is senior legal correspondent, laura jarrett. laura, what are the chances of a successful appeal under these circumstances? >> the odds are not in his favor here, lester the defense team has vowed to take this all the way up to the supreme court, if necessary, but the standard for overturning a jury verdict is quite high. it rarely happens, and that's because arguing that there was error at the trial isn't enough he'd have to show one that actually influenced the verdict. as we just heard, murdaugh's lawyers say the judge shouldn't have let in evidence of his past financial crimes to prove his motive in this case, that it tainted the jury's view of their client, but it's not

clear that it made any difference to the end result. at least one juror says that it was the video placing murdaugh at the scene of the crime just moments before those murders that was most compelling, lester. >> but what happens now in those financial issues >> yes, some 99 different financial crimes, those are still pending in front of the very same judge that sentenced him today and that everything that murdaugh admitted on the stand in that case can be used against him in the future, lester. >> all right, laura jarrett, thank you and tonight don't miss a two-hour "dateline" special on the murdaugh case. that's at 9:00, 8:00 central time here on nbc. let's turn now to the severe weather threat stretching from the ohio valley to the southeast and what could be another dangerous night for millions after at least half a dozen reported tornadoes swept through the region here's morgan chesky >> reporter: tonight, a deadly storm system launching devastating winds. >> crossing the road right in front of us. >> reporter: and a frightening spree of tornadoes. >> it's hitting debris we got debris in the

air. >> is it a house >> yep, debris in the air. >> reporter: in 24 hours at least seven twisters have carved destructive paths through four states tossing semi trucks on highways and leaving homes in pieces. >> my truck was shaking. the neighbors lost their roof we lost one of our roofs. >> reporter: in texas the power of straight-line winds undeniable gusts topping 70 miles per hour, shredding a boat marina in seconds, tearing off its roof, sending debris flying. in alabama some woke up to a nightmare. >> we didn't hear anything until plywood crashed through our window, so all we heard was a giant crash. >> reporter: tonight high winds and flash flooding responsible for at least five deaths across several states now as the storm churns east, more than 80 million americans are under wind alerts. >> princeton, this storm is right on top of you the wind gusts, 60 miles per hour likely. >> reporter: at least one reported tornado hitting kentucky. >> we have already lost way too many people due to

flooding, tornadoes, and other weather events, so we want everybody to be safe today. >> reporter: and tonight officials warning these storms may start with drenching rain, but devastating winds and potential tornadoes could soon follow. lester. >> all right, morgan, thank you. let's turn now to bill karins. he's tracking these storms bill, what are you watching closely tonight? >> good evening, lester this is one of the strongest storms we've ever recorded in the ohio valley. these thunderstorms produced over 130 high wind reports we have over 1 million people in the dark right now. we've even had a few injuries from trees falling on people. the areas of concern through the evening still high winds even though the severe weather threat is diminishing, we will still have really high winds through much of kentucky tennessee, into areas of west virginia, near pittsburgh, and the snow portion of the storm will be tonight. we have near blizzard conditions right now from detroit into areas of lower

michigan tonight of that in the higher elevations of northern new england, they'll get enough snow to shovel and plow, but the mountainous areas will get up to a foot >> bill, thank you for that update. we turn to the president's health the white house physician revealing today that a lesion removed from president biden's chest during a routine physical at walter reed last month was a basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. the doctor said the procedure on president biden, who was 80 years old, was successful and that he requires no further treatment. a warning tonight from the cdc, the parents of newborns are being advised to sterilize equipment used for bottle and breast-feeding after the death of an infant was linked to a contaminated breast pump a cdc report found the baby had a rare infection from the same type of bacteria that led to the recall on powdered infant formula last year. and the cdc also tracking the surge in severe stomach flu sending children and adults to the er nationwide the agency warning of a new drug-resistant

strain of superbug that they've deemed a serious public health threat here's maggie vespa. >> reporter: tonight the latest chapter in america's monster cold and flu season making stomachs churn coast to coast >> momma's got a house full of sick babies. >> reporter: the cdc flagging stunning surges in multiple debilitating stomach bugs, namely, norovirus. the rate of tests coming back positive nearly doublin since january, now at a staggering 17% the ultra contagious virus, which can cause days of vomiting, diarrhea, and fever clobbering kids and adults alike. >> yeah, i'm traumatized a little bit. >> reporter: chicago area wife and mom emily says the bug hit 4-year-old hannah first then swept through the family hitting her and her 2-year-old levi at the same time. >> i'm texting my husband, i'm like, you need to come home from work it was so intense. i was like, i don't know how to function right now. >> reporter: many families rushing to emergency rooms. does that mean they've been throwing up for

some period of time, like it's ongoing? >> yes, so som people say, hey, i'v been vomiting for several days i can't keep anything down the treatment is supportive care, so things like staying hydrated, resting when you can. >> reporter: this week the cdc sounding a separate alarm about shigella, another stomach bug that in the last decade has increasingly become drug resistant. 5% of cases deemed almost untreatable the agency calling the bacteria a serious public health threat one thing stunning patients here, hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus doctors stress washing your hands with soap and water. lester. >> important information, maggie, thank you. in 60 seconds we'll go to the first state to restrict drag performances with many more trying to do the same what's behind it, and what the bill's sponsor and the lgbtq community are saying

they have long been a part of mainstream america and entertainment, but this week tennessee became the first state to restrict public drag performances saying they threaten

children. as antonia hylton reports, more states could soon follow. ♪ working 9 to 5 ♪ >> reporter: for 24 years dede has built a career performing in drag shows >> are you all ready for a fabulous show? [ cheers and applause ] >> reporter: as a trans woman from rural tennessee, dede says drag gave her an outlet in the community, but that community is now on edge >> it's definitely very scary i definitely always get our security to walk us to the car now. i never did that before. >> reporter: this week tennessee became the first state to pass a law that will restrict drag performances on public property, or anywhere a child could see them conservatives say drag shows expose children to sexually suggestive content while performers here say the law is discriminatory and feels designed to push them back into the closet >> i hate it i absolutely hate it because i can't be myself no more i have to be what they think i should be. >> reporter: the bill's sponsor, jack johnson, argues this law isn't meant to target the lgbtq

community. it's about protecting children >> are you trying to send a signal -- >> of course, not. >> -- that som types of people aren't welcome here in tennessee? >> the only signal i'm trying to send is that you shouldn't be doing sexually graphic -- you shouldn't be simulating sex acts in front of children. >> reporter: the law targets performances that are harmful to minors, but it doesn't say how performances will be determined to be harmful or sexual who is going to decide what is sexually explicit, what is inappropriate? >> well, the same way any law is enforced with our law enforcement, our district attorneys, the same way they prosecute any other criminal offense >> reporter: ted peters is a pastor and a parent he organized demonstrations in support of this law. >> i think it's ridiculous for folks to think that we christians shouldn't push our values and our ideology just like the lgbtq movement has a right to push theirs we christians feel targeted i know they might feel targeted from this situation. that's really not our heart. we feel like our lifestyle, our culture -- >> you're the

majority most of the lawmakers in there agree with you. how could you feel targeted >> we feel targeted in the country as a whole. maybe not in tennessee. that's why we moved here. >> reporter: across the country similar laws are in the works with conservative lawmakers in at least 13 other states advancing bills to restrict drag. for dede, tennessee is home her family is here, so she says her only option is to stay and fight. >> any kind of a discriminatory bill like this, they are trying to bully you. we are a very, very strong community, and so we're not going anywhere. >> and, antonia, this wasn't the only bill affecting the lgbtq community the governor signed >> reporter: that's right, lester. governor bill lee also signed legislation that prohibits doctors from providing gender affirming medical care to transgender children including puberty blockers and hormones children who are already on those medications will have until march of 2024 to cycle off them lester >> antonia hylton,

thank you. up next, almost a year later, comedian chris rock is expected to have his say his way about the slap

almost one year after getting that infamous slap at the oscars, chris rock is expected to share his side of the story in a performance that will be the first ever live event on netflix miguel almaguer has details. >> chris, they're ready for you. >> reporter: ready to hit back on his own

terms, tomorrow night chris rock is expected to dive into the details of the infamous slap seen around the world >> oh, wow will smith just smacked the [ bleep ] out of me. >> reporter: in a netflix special, all eyes will be on the comedian to see what he shares. >> i'm still kind of processing >> reporter: though he has joked briefly about the incident during a worldwide tour, his stand-up special comes a week before this year's oscars. >> i can't get slapped. i cry a lot. >> reporter: in which rock remains at the center of attention and intrigue >> i do think we should expect some commentary and obviously a bunch of jokes and perspective of what went down at the oscars last year >> reporter: taking the stage in baltimore, rock will make history as netflix streams live for the first time ever millions are expected to be watching at home after his apology -- >> my behavior was unacceptable >> reporter: -- will

smith accepted his first public award this week. now on saturday we may learn if rock and smith have spoken and just how hard the comedian will punch back miguel almaguer, nbc news up next, i speak with the nation's newest medal of honor recipient about a heroic day in vietnam and the long road to today's ceremony

at the white house today president biden awarded the medal of honor to a black vietnam vet who saved three injured soldiers during a fierce battle even as he suffered multiple wounds. it is a recognition that took nearly 58 years to happen righting what some see as a shameful wrong. paris davis has been waiting more than a half a century for his country to honor his heroism. davis crawled through blood, mud, pain and withering enemy fire carrying his wounded comrades on his back to reach this moment at the white house, that it took a battle against bureaucracy for him to receive the medal of honor leaves many who have heard his story dumbfounded. it's been a long time coming what's the moment feel like >> everything is good. i feel very comfortable, and it took a while it took a long while, but it's here, and i'm

really proud to be an american >> reporter: it was early summer 1965, just months after bloody sunday in selma, alabama, then captain davis, a green beret on his second tour in vietnam at war for his country while back at home in some ways his country was fighting him when one day his commanding officer asked him to be in charge >> he made a point of saying, you know, this is an all white team as a black man, do you think you could handle it i said, no problem right here, sir. there's a couple of guys from alabama, one from mississippi is that going to be a problem? i said, i don't think so, sir. >> reporter: he and three other special forces soldiers were tasked with training south vietnamese troops, then one june night, he led them into a ferocious battle. specialist robert brown was wounded and pinned down. davis crawled out to get him, suffering a shrapnel wound from a grenade.

>> it got some of my -- >> trigger finger. >> and my trigger finger. >> was shot off. >> yeah. it hurt, but it didn't hurt that much that i was stopped, and once i got out there, brown said to me, sir, am i going to die, and i remember saying to him, not before me >> reporter: after rescuing brown, davis crawled back onto the battlefield to help master sergeant billy waugh, who was pinned down his leg in tatters >> had him take his one good leg and wrap it around my body, and it was mud and blood. i mean, it was just a hell of a place to be. >> reporter: davis' heroism led his commander to nominate him for the medal of honor, but the army lost the paperwork he was renominated four years later, and again it vanished. some blame racism. ron dice fought with davis, one of many who

advocated for this honor. is there any really plausible explanation as to how this could have happened? >> i don't have one. >> you think it was race >> i do. i absolutely do. >> did you fear that it would never happen? >> i forgot that it could happen [ applause ] >> today at the white house, an honor delayed, but so richly deserved colonel paris davis, an american hero that's "nightly news" for this friday. thank you for watching, everyone i'm lester holt. please take care of yourself and each other. good night [ applause ]

right now on nbc bay area news tonight, a man arrested for having explosives inside his south bay home. the connection to bombings at two pg&e transformers. what we're learning about that investigation. plus, vice president kamala harris on a whirlwind trip to the bay area. what was on her agenda, and how her husband, the second gentleman, stepped in to help. and then what would it take to convert san francisco's empty offices into housing? we're talking to an architect who looked into that idea. and later, the light show on the bay bridge going dark for good. the plan in the works to install a new one. it's not going to be easy, though. good evening. this is nbc bay area news tonight. i'm jessica aguirre. we're going to sta w