CRIME
Alex Murdaugh’s Murder Convictions Stayed Pending Outcome Of Jury Tampering Case
wjclnews/Instagram
Richard Alex Murdaugh’s two murder convictions and life sentences were stayed by the South Carolina Court of Appeals on Tuesday, after the court agreed he can argue that jury tampering could have influenced the verdict in his trial.
Murdaugh, 55, was convicted and in March was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the June 7, 2021, murders of his wife, Margaret, and their younger son, Paul, who was 22. Murdaugh was a prominent lawyer in the area, and the murders and his trial were highly publicized.
In September, Murdaugh’s attorneys filed a motion alleging jury tampering in the trial, and announced their plan to appeal the verdict.
Attorneys Richard Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin said they interviewed jurors to uncover possible bias, and claim they discovered unlawful efforts by the Colleton County clerk of court, Rebecca Becky Hill, to influence jurors’ decisions.
In a court filing, the attorneys alleged Hill tampered with the jury by advising them not to believe Murdaughs testimony and other evidence presented by the defense, pressuring them to reach a quick guilty verdict, and even misrepresenting critical and material information to the trial judge in her campaign to remove a juror she believed favorable to the defense.”
Hill in July published a book about the trial, Behind the Doors of Justice: the Murdaugh Murders.”
According to Murdaugh’s lawyers, Hill tampered with the jury, including private conversations with the foreperson, in order to avoid a mistrial that could cost her book deal and media appearances. They claim Hill betrayed her oath of office for money and fame.
Hill also allegedly told jurors they, too, could be famous, and shared reporters’ business cards with them.
Juror No. 578 took this to heart and made an appearance on Good Morning America the night of the verdict, which is why on the day the jury began deliberations he wore a suit coat for the first time during the trial, the filing claimed. Hill also allegedly traveled to New York City with jurors when they appeared on the Today show.
Hill has denied the allegations.
After the September filing, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division issued a joint statement announcing an investigation into the jury tampering claims.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson requested the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigate allegations of jury tampering involving the Colleton County Clerk of Court. The States only vested interest is seeking the truth, the statement read.
After the appellate court ruling on Tuesday, the matter now moves to state circuit court.
We intend to proceed expeditiously and will seek a full blown evidentiary hearing addressing the serious allegations pertaining to improper jury communications by the Clerk of Court, Harpootlian and Griffin said in a statement.
TMX contributed to this article.
