A South Carolina court denied Alex Murdaugh‘s plea for a new trial, dismissing defense claims of Colleton County Clerk Becky Hill’s jury tampering.
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Judge Casts Doubt on Clerk’s Credibility in Alex Murdaugh Case
Judge Jean Toal doubted Hill’s reliability but noted the jurors’ independence. Toal said that Hill’s problematic behavior and testimony during the six-week trial did not affect the jury’s verdict.
In court, 12 jurors testified that Hill’s words did not influence their guilty finding. Jurors who traveled 90 kilometers testified briefly, mostly answering predetermined questions. Convicted and serving life, Murdaugh watched in an orange prison jumpsuit. Toal questioned Hill’s honesty after she denied discussing the case with jurors. Hill’s earlier remarks, notably her trial book, were questioned, raising questions about her motivations. Rhonda McElveen, another clerk, testified that Hill suggested publishing a book together to boost sales after a guilty verdict.
A juror’s sworn allegation that Hill ordered jurors to study Murdaugh’s behavior to create a biased atmosphere caused the hearing. Juror Z said Hill’s instruction swayed him. She admitted under questioning that fellow jurors influenced her guilty verdict.
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Prosecutors Stand Firm as Defense Seeks Overturn in Alex Murdaugh Case
Prosecutors highlighted 11 jurors’ steadfastness and the strong evidence supporting Murdaugh’s conviction. Jim Griffin, Murdaugh’s defense attorney, believed Toal’s doubts about Hill’s credibility would help them overturn his conviction.
Toal required the defense to prove that Hill’s actions directly swayed jurors. Toal confirmed Hill’s admission of plagiarizing from a BBC reporter during her testimony, despite limiting queries about her financial malfeasance and other concerns.
A 27-year sentence for embezzling $12 million keeps Murdaugh in prison even if he wins a new murder trial. Murdaugh insists he did not murder his son Paul and wife Maggie. Whatever the murder trial’s outcome, other appeals will challenge its fairness, including financial crime testimony.
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