Attorneys for convicted killer and disbarred personal injury lawyer Alex Murdaugh are appealing for a new trial after a judge rejected their first attempt. Former South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Jean Toal denied Murdaugh’s motion for a retrial in January following allegations of jury tampering against Colleton County Court Clerk Becky Hill. Murdaugh’s lawyers argue for a new murder trial because Hill allegedly poisoned the jury pool against their client. Hill and jurors from the trial testified during the January hearing, with Hill denying any wrongdoing. Despite this, Justice Toal decided a new trial was not necessary, stating that while Hill made “fleeting and foolish comments,” the jurors took their assignments seriously in convicting Murdaugh.
During the trial where Murdaugh was found guilty of fatally shooting his wife Maggie and son Paul, 11 out of 12 jurors said Hill did not influence their decisions. One juror mentioned that he heard the clerk make comments about watching Murdaugh’s body language but said her words did not sway his verdict. Hill resigned following the allegations and is currently being investigated by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Murdaugh’s legal representatives have not yet commented on the situation. Murdaugh is serving two consecutive life sentences for the murders of his wife and son and was also sentenced to 40 years in prison for 22 federal financial crimes charges.
U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel imposed 480 months and over $9 million in mandatory restitution on Murdaugh for his financial crimes, but waived the fee due to Murdaugh’s inability to pay. Murdaugh expressed remorse and guilt during the sentencing hearing, saying he was filled with sorrow. His attorney, Jim Griffin, stated that federal inmates typically serve about 60 percent of their sentence, which would equate to 24 years for Murdaugh’s 40-year sentence. Additionally, Murdaugh was sentenced to 27 years for his financial crimes in a state case in November of the previous year. The FBI has also accused Murdaugh of lying about stolen money, indicating ongoing legal troubles for the disgraced lawyer.
The situation surrounding Alex Murdaugh has been filled with controversy and legal battles, with his lawyers fighting for a new trial based on allegations of jury tampering while Murdaugh faces multiple life sentences and years in prison for various crimes. The resignations and investigations involving key figures such as clerk Becky Hill add another layer of complexity to the case. Murdaugh’s expressions of remorse and guilt during his sentencing show a somber side to the convicted killer, contrasting with the allegations and legal battles that have defined his recent past. The ongoing legal developments and investigations suggest that the story of Alex Murdaugh is far from over, with potential future twists and turns in this high-profile case.
