>> Breaking news tonight. Alec Murdock found guilty in the double murder of his wife and son. The verdict in the South Carolina attorneys high-profile trial read in court just moments ago. The jury taking just hours to deliberate before convicting Murdoch on all counts for the 2021 murders. Murdoch led out of the courtroom in handcuffs. Our team at the courthouse. Also tonight, severe weather on the move in the south. The threat of tornadoes and heavy rain. A state of emergency in California after record snow. Our oquirrh is here. 2 midair. Spears passengers hospitalized after a fire was a Spirit. Airlines plane had a little towns of flight hitting severe turbulence. That comes as a Pennsylvania man appears in court accused of trying to bring explosives on a plane. She alleged plot to kill Jewish officials in Michigan. The state's attorney general now saying she was among the targets. The House Ethics Committee officially launching an investigation into George Santos. The surprise meeting at the G 20. What Secretary of State Tony Blinken told his Russian counterpart face to face. And Harry Smith on the doctor inspiring America by caring for the city's most vulnerable. >> NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. >> Good evening. There is breaking news from South Carolina tonight where the verdict is in and the Alec Murdock double murder trial. The jury finding the Once-prominent attorney guilty on all counts in the shooting deaths of his wife. And 22 year-old son at the family's property in 2021. Jurors taking only a few hours to reach their verdict after getting the case this afternoon. Let's go to Katie back now outside the courthouse in Walterboro, South Carolina. Katie, what can you tell us? >> Well, Lester, after just 3 hours of deliberation, Alec Murdock stood stoic as the court heard that guilty verdict. He is now facing 30 years to life for the murder of his wife. And 22 year-old son. Tonight. The jury has reached a verdict and done so quickly finding disbarred and disgraced South Carolina attorney Alec Murdock guilty of murdering his wife and son in June of 2021. Guilty verdict. The defense offering closing arguments Thursday hitting hard against the prosecution's theory on motive calling it irrational and insane. Why? on June 7th execute his son, Paul and his wife, Maggie, who your door and love. >> Arguing that the risk of financial exposure and for alleged financial crimes wasn't an impending storm as suggested by prosecutors and was not reasonable cause for the brutal killings. >> He's about to be exposed. And because of that, he does what rational person would do. We'll tell you why. Fun show. That's their theory. >> Motive. And finally, an emotional plea to the jury to find Alec not guilty. We have a buster half of Maggie. >> You know, a half about for him. Paul, I respectfully request that you do not compound a family tragedy with another. >> Prosecutors pushing back in rebuttal reminding the jury that Alec lied to investigators for months claiming the only reason he admitted his biggest lie is because he learned there was a kennel video placing him there. >> We throughout the investigation that was dropping throughout the course doesn't have a nation that he's a liar. >> Appealing to jurors to use common sense and the evidence. >> I think you love me. Thank you all. But you know who we love more than that. You know, we used to make sure that that live wanted to make sure that life he loved. >> Katie, it sounds like the sentencing phase will begin immediately. >> Yes, tomorrow morning. In fact, Lester, the judge said the sentencing phase will begin. The judge will decide the sentence we expect to hear from several witnesses on both side. Some of the financial victims of Alex alleged crimes will testify as well as members of his family in his defense. >> Let's turn to be back tonight. Thank you. Let's bring in NBC News legal analyst Danny serve. Alex Denis, Walk us through what we should take away from the jury coming back with its verdict so quickly. They came back hours later, not minutes later. So that suggests possibly that when they go into that jury room and close the door, they take an initial poll and there may have been to 3, maybe 4 in the minority for acquittal or maybe that we're not so sure. So that may have required a couple hours of going over some of the evidence because 3 hours is a decent amount of time. Most juries only deliberate for a matter of hours, maybe a couple days. So the high profile cases often have something like in the order of the week. But generally speaking, this might just be a case of a minority that had to be convinced and eventually they got to unanimity. Dennis of Alice, thank you. >> Also tonight, the severe weather in much of the country. Parts of California still reeling from as much as 7 feet of snow. Some people remain trapped in their homes, food and medicine, running low in some areas. And in the south tonight, hail in Texas has tens of millions face severe weather in that part of the country. >> Workers tracking what you're looking at. We've got a lot going on tonight left. You can see this volatile line from Oklahoma down into Texas. We have tornado watches. Tornado warnings right now until 10:00PM. We're talking about with the severe thunderstorm watches as well as part of this line moves to the east. We have this really severe risk of said whether for 28 million people are just wrong. Tornadoes were talking baseball, Lester. That's about the size of baseballs. That's what we're worried about. The EF 2 tornadoes. And as we look tomorrow, more enhanced weather with wind gusts. Tornadoes likely damaging wind and hail. Flash flood watches stretching from Ohio all the way down to Oklahoma for 24 million people and snowfall left or from Chicago to Boston. We're looking one to 3 inches, maybe even 2 to 5. So a lot of weather still the size of a baseball try. My goodness are right now. Thank you. Bet. >> And a flight hit by severe turbulence is just one of the aviation scares being investigated. Tonight, the others and in-flight fire and that possible explosive found at a TSA checkpoint. Here's NBC's Tom Costello. >> It happened on a Spirit Airlines flight 2.59 to Dallas to Orlando. An in-flight emergency smoke suddenly began pouring out of an overhead luggage bin. The whole plane was filled with smoke. It was quite frightening for a little while. And a retired firefighter put out the fire likely caused by a passenger's overheating battery. The flight diverted to Jacksonville. 10 people taken to a local hospital. A serious reminder say experts of white batteries in checked bags could pose an even greater risk. >> Don't put lithium batteries in checked bags and that the simple reason is because the flight crew can't deal with that batteries that overheated. >> Meanwhile, in the skies over Tennessee book on the air with a 3.30, Spirit country turbulent a Lufthansa jumbo jet flying from Austin, Texas to Frankfort hit severe turbulence Wednesday rocked back and forth at high altitude. 7 people injured. They got really bumpy. And then at one point. >> The plane completely just like drug and everything. All the food and everything just flew everywhere. >> The aisle littered with passengers, belongings, food, bottles and debris forcing the flight to divert to Washington, D.C., and after a close call on the ground this week, a Pennsylvania man appeared in court today facing charges of attempting to place an explosive on a plane. Charging documents allege 40 year-old Marc Muffley booked an Allegiant flight from Lehigh Valley to Orlando Sanford on Monday when his luggage allegedly trip to TSA alarming FBI explosives expert identified commercial grade fireworks powder fuses and lithium battery monthly flood the airport but was arrested at home. >> Tom, do we have any idea what the suspect's motivation might be? >> We don't he did not enter a plea. His attorney says these were just glorified fireworks. That said he was remanded into the custody of U.S. marshals and he has an extensive criminal history. Last are. All right. Tom Costello, thank you. >> Tonight a Michigan man is accused of threatening Jewish public officials in that state as authorities confront a disturbing uptick in crimes motivated by Anti-Semitism. Ken Dilanian is here. Can a top official was among those on the target list? >> Leicester Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel describing the alarming incident today saying the FBI just told her she was targeted by what she called a heavily armed man. The FBI began investigating him last month because of threats he made on Twitter. Court papers, quote, one tweet saying he was threatening to carry out the punishment of death to anyone who is Jewish in the Michigan government. The FBI arrested him on a charge of making an interstate threat. He has yet to enter a plea. This disturbing case comes amid what authorities say is a rising tide of anti Semitic violence. 2 men were charged last month with shooting at Jewish worshippers outside Los Angeles synagogues and nationwide. The Anti-Defamation League says antisemitic incidents have surged in recent years Lester. All right, Ken, thank you. >> The House Ethics Committee said today it is opening an investigation into embattled Congressman George Santos. Among other things, a subcommittee will determine if a New York Republican engage in unlawful activity. It is congressional campaign violated conflict of interest laws and engage in sexual misconduct. Let's turn now to that surprise encounter between the top U.S. and Russian official making headlines. Secretary of State Antony Blinken talking with Russia's foreign minister at a G 20 meeting. Andrea Mitchell is with us. And really this was their first meeting since before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. >> Exactly. That's for today's brief encounter was the first face-to-face between Secretary of State Blinken and his Russian counterpart in 13 months. But instead he made 3 points. Russia should end the war and engage in peace talks. Russia should resume obeying nuclear weapons limits under an arms control treaty with the U.S. and Russia should release American businessman Paul Whelan. This comes as Russia is making rare gains on the battlefield poised to take the eastern City a fierce battle as the U.S. worries. China is considering sending weapons to Russia for the first time today said that the U.S. would consider sanctioning China if it does and Russia weapons master. All right, Andrea Mitchell, thank you. >> For the first time today, President Biden said he'll visit the site of that toxic train derailment in Ohio as we learn new details from federal investigators on what may have caused it. Gabe Gutierrez is there. >> As crews scramble to clean up this creek in east Palestine, Ohio, tonight, the NTSB says it's concerned aluminum protective covers on the rail cars melt it possibly contributing to the train derailment after facing criticism for not traveling to the site. Today, President Biden said he'd visit at some point. >> I spoke with every official, Ohio, Democrat or Republican. >> East Palestine has now become ground 0 for environmental activism nationwide. >> They're being misled. They're not being told the truth. >> Erin Brockovich, of course, became a household name after exposing California groundwater contamination in the 90's, which led to an Oscar-winning movie about her life Pacific. We need to hear from you. She's now focused on what she says is an unfolding disaster here. >> And 30 years we have made absolutely progress. We continue to do the same thing over and over and over again. Expecting a different result. >> On Capitol Hill, bipartisan senators are trying to strengthen safety measures for trains carrying hazardous materials. Mandating wheels be scanned for heat every 10 miles. Norfolk Southern says it's already committed to pay out millions of dollars to affected residents. >> We understand this is going huge impact to the community. We're working with the agencies. Make sure we're doing this right. >> Is that enough? No one really begin to wonder what they're up to because it just everything here Reax. >> Ashley McCollum says she's dealt with watery eyes, dizziness and other symptoms for weeks. >> Do you feel safe in these housing right now? I do not. I will not bring my children back. And and if I can't see any more than a half an hour in my own home, I would not feel safe. >> Tonight federal officials are holding a public meeting about the cleanup here. Norfolk Southern is expected to attend Buster. >> All right, Gabe, thank you. In 60 seconds, new evidence revealed in the case of the killing of those 4 University of Idaho students and the top NFL prospect turning himself in to face charges linked to a fatal car crash. Back now with new evidence in the Idaho College murders. Newly unsealed search warrants reveal that police found a knife, a pistol and black face masks at the Pennsylvania home where Brian Co Burger's Family Lives. Burger was arrested in December for the murders of 4 University of Idaho students. More than a month before a top NFL prospect was back at the league's scouting combine today hours after he surrendered to police. Jalen. Carter is facing charges in connection with the crash that left a teammate and a team staffer dead. Stephanie Gosk has late details. >> Tonight top NFL prospect Jalen Carter is back showing off his skills at the NFL combine after turning himself in to Georgia police last night on misdemeanor charges taking this mug shot. He was released 16 minutes later. The University of Georgia Football star is accused of reckless driving and drag racing the night fellow player Devin Willock and teen recruiter. Chandler Lecroy were killed in a crash with a car. That's definitely right away. This surveillance video released by authorities shows look Roy's and Carter's SUVs driving through an intersection hours after a party celebrating Georgia's national championship. Lacroix was allegedly driving over 100 miles an hour with a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit. But there are questions surrounding Carter's actions that night citing unspecified documents. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Carter left the scene after the crash then returned and gave conflicting statements to police about what happened. NBC News is not reviewed the documents on Twitter. Carter writes numerous media reports also have circulated containing inaccurate information. When all the facts are known, I will be fully exonerated. Carter has had at least 3 traffic citations in the last year, including a stop in September of captured on this body cam. Do need to slow down too. Police say he was traveling 89 miles an hour in a 45 mile an hour zone. >> As for the University of Georgia, the athletics department is going to be conducting its own review of that fatal January crash. >> Leicester Stephanie Gosk, thank you. Up next, what's driving up? The cost of car insurance? How you can hold it down after this. And the price you pay tonight, you may have noticed the cost of car insurance lately has been skyrocketing. It's taking a bigger bite out of family budgets. Miguel Almaguer on why rates are rising and how to find the best one. >> Well, Americans behind the wheel across the country, all roads lead to the same place skyrocketing insurance rates. According to Bankrate Dot com. U.S. drivers are now paying more than $2000 more a year for premiums. The celebration rates at roughly 14% from last year. Were you surprised to see your premium increase so much? I was I was because I'm a safe driver. Raleigh Joe Hoss, who drives more than 100 miles every day, says his new bill gave his young family sticker shock. >> Every single month we do our numbers, the budget. And then all of a sudden I'm now $100 to $1000 a month and I have the sun. We have to buy diapers. And that was just money that just disappeared. >> With the average household now pay nearly 3% of their income just on car insurance. Premiums in congested cities like Orlando and Phoenix are revving up. >> In cities where cars are keen rates or shifting into record territory. >> Why are car insurance rates skyrocketing so quickly? >> It really has to do with the inflation that we saw in 2022, these car insurance companies are still reacting to that environment. >> Citing costly repairs, more accidents and an increase in thefts. >> Insurance companies say the approved rate hikes are here for the foreseeable future. >> To keep your bill in check, experts say shop around. Reduce your coverage if your car is all and raise your deductible to lower your bail. >> Tonight, the cost of insurance in overdrive. Miguel Almaguer, NBC news. >> Up next, he brings health care to some of those who may need it most. The doctor inspiring America. Finally tonight, the doctor who found his calling and his inspiration on the streets. Here is Harry Smith. >> 2 nights a week for 30 years. Doctor Jim O'Connell, he's done exactly this. I remember me from the view of how are you, by the way, what's going on? I'm feeling the healers of with Boston's homeless patients. His night Michael tells us he spent a good portion of his life in prison. They lived right here making as his regrets spill out o Connell Watkins to the cut him. I think what we did Kahn Alergias Michael to come to a clinic in no telling you feel show who's out here, who's out on the streets? >> Well, it's a real mix of people, for example, in about 25% of the men that will see out here cannot read or write. >> He says most of endured significant rum, physical or psychological, many self medicate or reject. >> Little did I understand how complicated it was and you can do a lot to ease their suffering and help them out. We're really not in their home was sweet. And what does a good job of it, too? >> A classroom w*** at Notre Dame. He study philosophy and theology. Then Harvard Medical School. >> You know what? People would look at that and say why the h*** is that guy out here? Well, you know, I don't know exactly how to get to the lucky to be thrown into it. Lucky that it hit. >> And lucky for the patients of the Boston health care for the homeless program. He helped build the envy of many us it. >> How a O'Connell seems to have a special instinct for people at risk of his most important skill. Listening learned in his years as a bartender, his life's work featured in a new book. Should we be more empathetic as a public? >> Yeah, I think that's a tall order for public that I would see if the public had a chance to see what we've been watching for years. We couldn't help but be impressed. >> Harry Smith, NBC News, Boston. >> And that's nightly News for this Thursday. Thank you for watching everyone. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other