Alex Murdaugh Seeks Supreme Court Review Over Jury Tampering Claims

Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh has petitioned the South Carolina State Supreme Court to review a decision denying him a new trial over jury tampering allegations. This request follows an earlier ruling that rejected his bid for a retrial based on claims of misconduct by a former county clerk.

Murdaugh’s legal team filed a motion this week urging the state’s highest court to examine the decision made by a lower court judge earlier this year, according to WYFF. Additionally, Murdaugh is appealing his conviction to the state court of appeals. In March 2023, Murdaugh was found guilty of murdering his wife, Maggie, and his youngest son, Paul.

Key Points:

• Jury Tampering Allegations: Murdaugh’s claims focus on former county clerk Rebecca “Becky” Hill, who was involved in his murder trial and later authored a book about the case. Murdaugh alleges that Hill influenced the jury to secure a guilty verdict to boost her book sales.

• Judge’s Ruling: Despite condemning Hill’s actions, Judge Jean Toal denied Murdaugh’s request for a new trial in January. Toal described Hill as being lured by “the siren call of celebrity” and motivated by the potential profits from her book.

• Impact on Verdict: Toal acknowledged that Hill expressed a desire for a guilty verdict to sell books and made comments about Murdaugh’s demeanor during the trial. However, Toal concluded that Hill’s comments did not impact the jury’s verdict, stating the jurors found Murdaugh guilty “without fear or favor.”

Despite this, one juror admitted that Hill’s comments influenced her vote when questioned by the judge, although she later reiterated that the other jurors influenced her decision more than Hill’s remarks.

Murdaugh’s attorney, Jim Griffin, argued that any communication from court staff to jurors is inherently prejudicial. He cited case law to support the claim that Hill’s interactions with the jurors warranted a new trial, emphasizing that one juror explicitly stated Hill’s comments affected her verdict.

Hill, who resigned from her position in March, now faces 76 counts of ethics violations, many related to Murdaugh’s trial. She has denied the allegations against her.

As Murdaugh’s legal battle continues, the Supreme Court’s decision on whether to review the case will be pivotal. If granted, it could lead to a significant reassessment of the trial’s integrity and the influence of court officials on jury decisions.

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