South Carolina Judge: Alex Murdaugh Will Not Receive A New Murder Trial

OAN’s Elizabeth Bolbelding
4:55 PM – Monday, January 29, 2024

A South Carolina judge rules convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh not to receive a new murder trial after his lawyer accused a court clerk of “juror misconduct.” was lowered.

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On Monday, Murdaugh, a former South Carolina lawyer who was convicted of killing his wife and son last year, was denied a new murder trial by a South Carolina judge.

Murdaugh’s lawyers had requested a new trial on the grounds that the jury and court clerk who convicted him about 11 months ago tampered with evidence in the case.

As Murdo sat in his orange prison uniform, Judge Jean Toll announced his decision to deny Murdo a new trial. She claimed the court clerk made “inappropriate comments” to the jury, but she also said those comments had no effect on the jury’s decision.

Ms Toal expressed doubts about whether the clerk, Rebecca “Becky” Hill, was a completely reliable witness, saying she was swayed by the “siren call” of becoming famous and writing a book about the trial. I thought it might have been lost.

“I find it hard to believe that the South Carolina Supreme Court has the authority to request a retrial in such a long-running case based on a temporary and foolish statement by a publicity-influenced court clerk. I simply cannot believe it,” the judge said.

Murdaugh’s lawyers argue that Hill’s alleged falsification was “to secure himself a book deal and media appearances that would not have occurred in a miscarriage of justice.”

“Now that I’ve read the record, I say as a historic judge that the evidence is overwhelming and the jury’s verdict is not surprising,” Toal said before exiting the bench to end the day. added.

Toal further explained that although Hill made “inappropriate comments,” the defense could not prove that those comments influenced the jury’s choice to convict Murdaugh. did.

Mr Murdaugh’s lawyers now say the next step in the process will be to the Court of Appeals.

“From here we go to the Court of Appeals, if necessary to the South Carolina Supreme Court, and then to federal court,” Murdaugh’s attorney Dick Harpootlian told reporters.

Murdaugh’s attorney, Jim Griffin, said, “Unless federal law is changed, we’re either going to see a decision in our favor in the appellate court or in federal court in five years.” Stated.

Attorneys for the clerk of court, Justin Bamberg and Will Lewis, said they approved of the findings.

“We agree with Judge Toll’s finding that the Colleton County jury selected for this very complex and lengthy trial were consummate professionals and operated in accordance with the court’s instructions.” said. “We appreciate their service.”

The case brought international attention to Murdaugh, a former personal injury lawyer, and led to multiple documentaries, books and podcasts about the case.