Attorneys for Alex Murdaugh have asked the state Supreme Court to remove Judge Clifton Newman from the convicted murderer’s case as they fight for a new trial. They argue Murdaugh has a right to an impartial judge.
It was Judge Newman who sentenced Murdaugh to two consecutive life sentences earlier this year for the 2021 murders of his wife Maggie and 22-year-old son Paul. It’s also Newman who is expected to hold an evidentiary hearing into allegations of jury tampering that could lead to a new trial.
The defense argues Judge Newman worked closely with Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill who’s now accused of improperly influencing jurors to reach a guilty verdict. In motions filed Wednesday, they said the judge “has personal knowledge about the clerk of court’s conduct which will undoubtedly be disputed at an evidentiary hearing”.
The attorneys also point to comments Judge Newman made from the bench during sentencing about Murdaugh’s guilt and to the media after the trial as reasons to remove him. They said he “made numerous statements in violation of the code of judicial conduct that require his disqualification from presiding over further proceedings in this matter.”
Murdaugh’s team has asked the high court to put his remaining cases on hold until the justices decide if Judge Newman should be involved. The disbarred attorney faces roughly 100 state charges involving financial fraud. Newman has set a trial date on charges Murdaugh stole money from the family of his late housekeeper for after Thanksgiving.
The defense team did not have further comment on the motions. South Carolina Public Radio reached out to the state Attorney General’s office for reaction but has yet to hear back.
Judge Newman, meantime, is expected to retire in a couple of months.
