OAN’s Taylor Tinsley
1:02 PM – Monday, January 29, 2023
One of the jurors that convicted disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh of murdering his wife and 22-year-old son, has said that their decision was influenced by the Colleton County Clerk of Court.
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On Monday, Alex Murdaugh returned to court in Columbia, South Carolina.
Defense attorneys are pushing for a new trial based on allegations that the court clerk, Becky Hill, tampered with the jurors.
All 12 jurors took the stand one by one, but only one, dubbed Juror Z, said that their verdict was influenced by Hill.
“Did you hear Ms. Becky Hill make any comment about this case before your verdict? If yes, what did Ms. Hill say?” asked judge Jean Toal. “Yes ma’am,” Juror Z said.
Juror Z said Hill told the jury to watch Murdaugh’s actions and to “watch him closely.”
“Was your verdict influenced in any way by the communications by the clerk of court in this case?” Toal asked. “Yes ma’am… She made it seem like he was already guilty,” Juror Z said.
Nine other jurors said they didn’t hear comments from Hill at all. Two acknowledged they heard similar comments pointed out by Juror Z but said it didn’t influence their verdict.
Judge Toal was also forced to pause Monday’s hearing after learning that jurors had been watching a live stream on their cellphones in the jury room, and had listened to everything Juror Z said.
Hill also took the stand Monday. She has denied all allegations and called them “a sweeping conspiratorial theory.”
However, Hill did say that she told the jury to pay attention in general.
The once prominent South Carolina lawyer was given a double life sentence for the June 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul.
Even if the defense lands a new trial, Murdaugh will still not walk free.
The disbarred attorney was also sentenced to 27 years in prison after admitting he stole millions of dollars from his firm and client settlements.
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