International Courant
Attorneys for convicted killer and disbarred private harm lawyer Alex Murdaugh have appealed for a brand new trial after a decide rejected their first try.
Former South Carolina Supreme Courtroom Justice Jean Toal denied Murdaugh’s movement for a retrial in January after protection legal professionals made allegations of jury tampering in opposition to Colleton County Courtroom Clerk Becky Hill. Murdaugh’s attorneys, Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, argue a brand new homicide trial is warranted as a result of Hill allegedly poisoned the jury pool in opposition to their shopper.
Hill and jurors from the trial testified through the January listening to. She has denied any wrongdoing. After listening to their testimony, Justice Toal determined a brand new trial was not needed.
Toal mentioned earlier than her ruling that whereas Hill was “attracted by the siren name of superstar” and had made “fleeting and silly feedback,” the jurors took their assignments critically in convicting Murdaugh.
ALEX MURDAUGH SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS FOR FINANCIAL CRIMES AFTER POLYGRAPH CONTROVERSY
Alex Murdaugh, convicted of killing his spouse, Maggie, and youthful son, Paul, in June 2021, sits throughout a listening to on a movement for a retrial, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, on the Richland County Judicial Heart in Columbia, S.C.
Of 12 whole jurors who discovered Murdaugh responsible final spring, 11 mentioned Hill didn’t affect their choices. One mentioned he heard the clerk make feedback about watching Murdaugh’s physique language however mentioned her phrases didn’t affect his verdict.
Even so, Hill resigned following the allegations. She is at present the topic of two ongoing investigations by the South Carolina Lawyer Common’s Workplace and the South Carolina Legislation Enforcement Division (SLED).
Murdaugh’s authorized representatives didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
ALEX MURDAUGH’S LAWYERS WANT TO MAKE PUBLIC STATEMENTS ABOUT STOLEN MONEY. FBI SAYS MURDAUGH LIED
Alex Murdaugh shakes palms along with his legal professional Jim Griffin throughout his sentencing for stealing from 18 purchasers, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, on the Beaufort County Courthouse in Beaufort, S.C. (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Submit And Courier through AP)
Murdaugh was convicted final 12 months of fatally capturing his spouse Maggie and son Paul. He’s now serving two consecutive life sentences for the murders. Prosecutors argued that the murders have been an try to distract from Murdaugh’s mounting monetary crimes, which have been starting to come back to mild round that point.
The disgraced authorized scion was additionally sentenced to 40 years in jail final week after he pleaded responsible to 22 federal monetary crimes costs in September final 12 months.
ALEX MURDAUGH COURT CLERK BECKY HILL RESIGNS AFTER ALLEGATIONS OF JURY TAMPERING
Becky Hill mentioned her determination to resign as Colleton County Courtroom Clerk had nothing to do with pending investigations involving her conduct. (WCIV)
U.S. District Choose Richard M. Gergel mentioned he was dedicated to imposing 480 months and obligatory restitution totaling greater than $9 million. As a result of the defendant doesn’t have the flexibility to pay restitution, nevertheless, Gergel waived the price and required Murdaugh to pay $2,000 in particular evaluation instantly.
“I do need you to know and the entire victims to know I’m full of sorrow. I’m full of regret. I’m full of guilt,” Murdaugh mentioned on the sentencing listening to.
Griffin instructed reporters exterior the Charleston courthouse on April 1 that he is uncertain how a lot of the 40-year sentence his shopper will find yourself serving.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Federal inmates are doing roughly 60% of their sentence. So at 40 years, that might equate to 24 years,” Griffin mentioned, including that “issues can change over time.”
Murdaugh was additionally sentenced to 27 years for his monetary crimes in a state case in November of final 12 months.
Fox Information Digital’s Audrey Conklin and Kennedy Hayes contributed to this report.
Chris Pandolfo is a author for Fox Information Digital. Ship tricks to [email protected] and observe him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.
Alex Murdaugh attorneys attraction after decide denies new trial
World Information,Subsequent Large Factor in Public Knowledg
