Two jurors at the center of Alex Murdaugh's murder trial have broken their silence about allegations of jury misconduct embroiled in the high-profile case and expressed doubts about Murdaugh's conviction.
Myra Crosby and Mandy Pierce, previously known as “Egg Juror” and “Juror Z”, revealed their true identities in a lengthy interview. Fox News interview The ruling on Tuesday came just weeks after the South Carolina Supreme Court agreed to hear Murdaugh's appeal after he was convicted of shooting and killing his wife and 22-year-old son.
Crosby argued that he was only removed from the trial shortly before deliberations because he was not convinced of Murdaugh's guilt.
“I feel like I was targeted,” Crosby said of then-Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill, who resigned after being accused of trying to influence the jury's decision.
“Ms. Hill has asked me my opinion on multiple occasions and my answer has always been 'undecided.'”
Crosby was eventually removed after the judge received complaints that he had been caught discussing the case with his housemate and ex-husband outside the courtroom, allegations he strongly denies.
When asked if he thought it was a mistake to leave her out, Crosby replied, “I honestly do.”
Pierce, on the other hand, argued that he was ultimately pressured by the court clerk to convict Murdaugh.
She claimed the clerk spoke and interacted with jurors in the jury room on multiple occasions throughout the trial, but she was not aware at the time that this was considered inappropriate.
“Becky [Hill] “The conversation the store clerk had with them was wrong,” Pierce said.
“She acted as if he was already guilty.”
Pearce acknowledged he still wasn't convinced of Murdaugh's guilt and said his doubts were initially caused by the fact that the murder weapon had not been found.
Murdaugh, who had been beset by financial difficulties and allegations that he had stolen millions of dollars from his law firm, was convicted of shooting and killing his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and their 22-year-old son, Paul, on June 7, 2021, in their home.
The lawyers had argued that Hill, the clerk, told jurors at trial not to trust Murdaugh when he testified, spoke privately with the jury foreman and pressured jurors to reach a quick verdict.
Meanwhile, Crosby has also nicknamed herself the “egg juror,” which came from her bizarre request to retrieve a box of eggs from the courthouse before she was led away after being dismissed.
“They were just farm fresh eggs in a box. You have to remember that groceries were becoming ridiculously expensive at the time. A dozen eggs were $8,” the juror said in an interview.
“I wanted farm fresh eggs. Sorry, I'm a country girl. I love eggs.”
