Attorneys representing Alex Murdaugh, who was convicted in March for the killings of his wife and son in June 2021, have accused the court clerk of attempting to influence the jury with the intention of writing a book about the high-profile trial. In a 65-page motion seeking a new trial, Murdaugh’s lawyers, Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian, claim that Rebecca “Becky” Hill, the clerk of court in Colleton County, South Carolina, pressured the jury into reaching a guilty verdict quickly and made references to Murdaugh’s guilt before the verdict was delivered. The court filing includes sworn testimony from two jurors and an affidavit from a paralegal at Harpootlian’s law firm, summarizing a meeting with a third juror. These statements were made independently of each other, according to Harpootlian.
Murdaugh, who is currently serving two life sentences, continues to maintain his innocence in the killings. The jury deliberated for about three hours before reaching a verdict following six weeks of testimony, which included Murdaugh himself. In addition to the murder charges, Murdaugh is also facing over 100 state and federal financial crimes, including fraud and money laundering. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has stated that his office is reviewing the defense’s motion and will respond through the legal process when appropriate.
According to sworn testimony included in the motion, Hill told jurors not to be deceived by Murdaugh’s defense. One juror interpreted this as a suggestion that Murdaugh would lie when he testified, while another claimed that Hill instructed the jury to closely observe Murdaugh’s actions and movements, implying his guilt. Hill also allegedly warned the jury not to be distracted or misled by information presented by the defense. During deliberations, Hill reportedly said to the jurors that reaching a verdict shouldn’t take long and informed smoking jurors that they wouldn’t be allowed smoke breaks until a verdict was reached. Murdaugh’s lawyers argue that this had a coercive effect on those who smoked.
The motion also alleges that Hill’s motivations were driven by her desire to boost sales of her book, “Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders,” which was published last month. Excerpts from the book are included in the court filing. Griffin stated that the defense had heard rumors of potential jury tampering and misconduct, but initially, jurors refused to discuss it. However, when Hill published her book, the jurors became upset and were willing to speak out. Hill has not responded to requests for comment.
Murdaugh’s attorneys further claim that Hill provided misleading information about a juror she believed to be favorable to the defense and was actively trying to remove. The original foreperson stated in her affidavit that Hill questioned her about a Facebook post attributed to her ex-husband, in which she allegedly expressed her opinion about the case. The foreperson denies making any such post, and she was also accused of discussing the case with her tenants, which they both deny. Judge Clifton Newman expressed his displeasure with Hill’s actions and her failure to bring the matter to his attention.
The defense’s motion highlights the concerns raised by the three jurors who spoke with Murdaugh’s lawyers. They expressed a general distrust of the verdict and made allegations of impropriety during the trial. Two jurors in particular frequently discussed the case, while another juror claimed that discussions regarding the case took place before deliberations. After Murdaugh testified, eight jurors allegedly indicated doubt about his testimony but still voted to convict due to perceived pressure from other jurors, according to the defense.
Griffin expressed optimism about the chances of obtaining a new trial, although he is unsure how long the process will take. The ongoing review by the South Carolina Attorney General’s office will determine the next steps in this case.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
