Seven months after his double murder conviction, Alex Murdaugh has a chance to present evidence for a new trial. The South Carolina Court of Appeals ordered a lower court Tuesday to hear allegations of jury tampering by the Colleton County clerk of court.
Murdaugh’s defense team says Becky Hill, who wrote a book about the trial, influenced jurors to reach a guilty verdict by having multiple, improper conversations with them. The state has said it’s found “significant factual disputes” with the allegations.
Now, both sides will likely present witnesses who will testify under oath during a hearing as Murdaugh argues he was denied his right to a fair trial.
In a statement, Murdaugh’s team called the court’s decision to remand the case for a hearing “welcomed news”.
“We intend to proceed expeditiously and will seek a full-blown evidentiary hearing addressing the serious allegations pertaining to improper jury communication by the Clerk of Court.”
The SC Attorney General's Office said in an email, "We will respond through the legal process at the appropriate time."
A date for the hearing in circuit court has yet to be set.
However, a new trial would not spare Murdaugh from prison where he is currently serving two consecutive life terms for the 2021 murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul. He's awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty last month to nearly two dozen federal financial fraud charges.
While Murdaugh has admitted to stealing millions from former personal injury clients, colleagues and friends, he insists he did not kill his loved ones.
