Alex Murdaugh trial clerk hires lawyers after bombshell jury tampering claims – latest
Murdaugh’s attorneys accused South Carolina Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill of pressuring jurors to return a guilty verdict in his murder trial
The court clerk who oversaw the murder trial of convicted killer Alex Murdaugh has hired high-profile lawyers after his attorneys accused her of pressuring jurors to return a guilty verdict against him.
The disgraced legal scion’s attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin filed a motion for a new trial on Tuesday, alleging that Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca “Becky” Hill tampered with the jury because she was driven by fame and a desire to secure a book deal.
Ms Hill has now retained the counsel of State Rep Justin Bamberg and former assistant US attorney Will Lewis.
The clerk has yet to formally respond to the allegations against her and she is not currently facing any criminal charges.
Much of the 65-page motion centres around juror number 785 – who was infamously dismissed from the panel just hours before deliberations began. Judge Clifton Newman removed her for allegedly discussing the case with people outside of the court.
The woman then prompted some light-hearted relief when she asked to pick up her “dozen eggs” from the jury room before she left.
What happens next in Alex Murdaugh saga?
Now that Murdaugh’s defence attorneys have filed the motion, an evidentiary hearing is likely to take place where the evidence for the accusations against Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill will be laid out.
All of the jurors, Ms Hill and maybe even trial judge Clifton Newman could be required to testify under oath.
If the allegations are proven to be true, attorney Duncan Levin told The Independent that Murdaugh should then “unquestionably” be granted his request for a new trial.
“The actions described, particularly those of a court official who is entrusted with upholding the principles of justice and impartiality, fundamentally undermine the fairness of the trial and the credibility of the verdict,” he said.
“Tampering with the jury, pressuring them, and interfering with their deliberations are actions that directly violate the defendant’s right to a fair and unbiased jury trial.
“In such cases, the law typically requires the granting of a new trial to ensure that justice is served without the taint of undue influence or misconduct.”
He added: “These actions, if substantiated, could lead to severe consequences for those involved.”
But chances are he wouldn’t get out of prison. Murdaugh has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges stealing millions of dollars from clients and his family law firm, which will likely mean years or decades behind bars.
New Lifetime movie starring Bill Pullman follows twisted story of Alex Murdaugh
Alex Murdaugh is getting the Hollywood treatment - in a new Lifetime movie starring Bill Pullman.
Lifetime’s 500th original film Murdaugh Murders: The Movie is set to air in a two-night event at 8pm on 14 October and 15 October.
First-look images from the movie obtained by Entertainment Weekly - and posted to social media by Lifetime - show a chilling Pullman as Murdaugh violently grabbing actor Curtis Tweedie, who is portraying his slain son Paul Murdaugh.
Murdaugh was convicted in March of killing his wife Maggie and son Paul at the family’s South Carolina estate in June 2021.
Read more…
Alex Murdaugh is getting the Hollywood treatment - in a new Lifetime movie
Court clerk hires high-profile lawyers after stunning jury tampering claims
Rebecca Hill, the South Carolina court clerk who is accused of unlawfully tampering with the jury in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial, has hired two high-profile attorneys.
State Rep Justin Bamberg (D-Bamberg) confirmed to The State newspaper that both he and another lawyer, former assistant US attorney Will Lewis, are representing Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca “Becky” Hill.
Ms Hill retained her legal team just a day after the accusations against her were revealed in motion filed by Murdaugh’s attorneys requesting a new trial for the former legal scion who was convicted in March of killing his wife Maggie and son Paul.
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