Alex Murdaugh's Attorney's Press Conference Alleging Jury Tampering And Mistrial
Sep 05, 2023, 07:49 PM
Attorneys for Alex Murdaugh, the infamous South Carolina figure who faced conviction for the murders of his wife and son, have put forth a request for a new trial. Their claim hinges on allegations of jury tampering against the Colleton County Clerk of Court.
The documents submitted to the South Carolina Court of Appeals reveal that Rebecca Hill, the Colleton County Clerk of Court, might have swayed the jury against Murdaugh. The filings detail how Hill allegedly advised jurors not to be influenced by Murdaugh's self-defense or the evidence presented in his favor.
Furthermore, it is highlighted that Hill regularly had private discussions with the jury's head, a position that was changed upon her request. These interventions, according to the defense, were part of Hill's plan to land a book deal and garner media attention, which would be jeopardized in the case of a mistrial. The motion boldly declares that Hill compromised her professional oath for personal gain.
In support of these bold claims, the motion brings forth at least three sworn affidavits: two from jurors who served on the trial and one from a juror who was dismissed. Backing up these testimonies are extracts from Hill’s recently published book, “Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders.”
Holli Miller, one of the jurors, claims that Hill had tried to guide their judgment. She reportedly told the jury members, “Y’all are going to hear things that will throw you all off. Don’t let this distract you or mislead you.” CNN has since reached out to Hill for her response to these allegations.
Murdaugh’s defense team, Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian, are urging the South Carolina US Attorney to consider possible criminal charges against Hill over this purported tampering.
This new development unfolds just half a year after Murdaugh's conviction for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. The jury, after deliberating for a mere three hours, found him guilty, resulting in two life sentences.
The Murdaugh case had previously gained nationwide attention due to the family's longstanding prominence in South Carolina, with three generations serving as local prosecutors from 1920 to 2006.
During his trial, prosecutors leaned heavily on crucial video evidence that positioned Murdaugh at the crime scene on the fateful night, contrary to his claims. Despite Murdaugh's vehement denial of the killings during his testimony, he did confess to deceitful behaviors, including embezzlement and lying about his location during the murders.
Besides the murder charges, Murdaugh is embroiled in numerous financial crimes, with allegations amounting to him defrauding upwards of $9 million from various sources. Alongside around 100 state criminal charges, he also faces 22 federal charges related to these financial misdemeanors.
This entire saga has been filled with unexpected turns, from allegations of financial wrongdoing and an alleged attempt at a staged suicide to secure insurance money, to Murdaugh's drug addiction and his subsequent removal from practicing law.
In a recent call from prison featured in the docu-series “The Fall of the House of Murdaugh,” Murdaugh reiterated his innocence. He stated, “I am in this because of pills, stealing, and lying because I would never, under any circumstances hurt Maggie or Pa Pa (Paul).”
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The documents submitted to the South Carolina Court of Appeals reveal that Rebecca Hill, the Colleton County Clerk of Court, might have swayed the jury against Murdaugh. The filings detail how Hill allegedly advised jurors not to be influenced by Murdaugh's self-defense or the evidence presented in his favor.
Furthermore, it is highlighted that Hill regularly had private discussions with the jury's head, a position that was changed upon her request. These interventions, according to the defense, were part of Hill's plan to land a book deal and garner media attention, which would be jeopardized in the case of a mistrial. The motion boldly declares that Hill compromised her professional oath for personal gain.
In support of these bold claims, the motion brings forth at least three sworn affidavits: two from jurors who served on the trial and one from a juror who was dismissed. Backing up these testimonies are extracts from Hill’s recently published book, “Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders.”
Holli Miller, one of the jurors, claims that Hill had tried to guide their judgment. She reportedly told the jury members, “Y’all are going to hear things that will throw you all off. Don’t let this distract you or mislead you.” CNN has since reached out to Hill for her response to these allegations.
Murdaugh’s defense team, Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian, are urging the South Carolina US Attorney to consider possible criminal charges against Hill over this purported tampering.
This new development unfolds just half a year after Murdaugh's conviction for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. The jury, after deliberating for a mere three hours, found him guilty, resulting in two life sentences.
The Murdaugh case had previously gained nationwide attention due to the family's longstanding prominence in South Carolina, with three generations serving as local prosecutors from 1920 to 2006.
During his trial, prosecutors leaned heavily on crucial video evidence that positioned Murdaugh at the crime scene on the fateful night, contrary to his claims. Despite Murdaugh's vehement denial of the killings during his testimony, he did confess to deceitful behaviors, including embezzlement and lying about his location during the murders.
Besides the murder charges, Murdaugh is embroiled in numerous financial crimes, with allegations amounting to him defrauding upwards of $9 million from various sources. Alongside around 100 state criminal charges, he also faces 22 federal charges related to these financial misdemeanors.
This entire saga has been filled with unexpected turns, from allegations of financial wrongdoing and an alleged attempt at a staged suicide to secure insurance money, to Murdaugh's drug addiction and his subsequent removal from practicing law.
In a recent call from prison featured in the docu-series “The Fall of the House of Murdaugh,” Murdaugh reiterated his innocence. He stated, “I am in this because of pills, stealing, and lying because I would never, under any circumstances hurt Maggie or Pa Pa (Paul).”
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com