Murdaugh defense attorney calls on state Supreme Court to overturn guilty verdict
Dick Harpootlian, the defense attorney for Alex Murdaugh, has argued that a former court clerk's comments should be enough for the state Supreme Court to overturn his client's guilty verdict.
The South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned the murder conviction of Alex Murdaugh, who was convicted in March 2023 of double homicide of his wife and son.
The court ordered a new trial, saying that Mary Rebecca "Becky" Hill, who served as the court clerk in Colleton County, exercised "improper external influences" during Murdaugh's first trial.
Alex Murdaugh, convicted of killing his wife Maggie and son Paul in June 2021, sits during a hearing on a motion for a retrial on Jan. 16, 2024, at the Richland County Judicial Center in Columbia, S.C. Federal prosecutors said Murdaugh did not disclose the whereabouts of $6 million he stole or whether an unnamed attorney assisted him and seek to revoke a plea deal on federal financial crime charges, according to court documents. (Tracy Glantz/The State/AP)
The state supreme court voted unanimously on the decision.
"Although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial due to Hill’s improper external influences on the jury and remand for a new trial," their ruling said.
A post-trial court found that Hill "made improper comments to the jurors on the day Murdaugh testified, e.g., 'this is an important day' or 'this is an epic day' and that they should watch Murdaugh's body language, on the day of he testified in his own defense.
Alex Murdaugh attends his sentencing at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C., on March 3, 2023, after being convicted on all four counts in a double murder trial and sentenced to life in prison. (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post and Courier/Pool)
Hill pleaded guilty to four charges — obstruction of justice and perjury for showing a reporter photographs that were sealed court exhibits and then lying about it, plus two counts of misconduct in office for taking bonuses and promoting a book she wrote on the trial through her public office — in December.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Murdaugh was sentenced in 2023 to two consecutive life sentences for murdering his wife and son. He is also serving an additional 40 years in prison for his financial crimes and remains in custody at a maximum-security prison in South Carolina.
True Crime
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
