The South Carolina Supreme Court has overturned the murder conviction of Alex Murdaugh, who was accused of killing his wife and son in June 2021.
In a unanimous ruling on Wednesday, South Carolina’s high court ordered a new trial due to jury tampering concerns involving the former Colleton County clerk.
“Although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial due to [Becky] Hill’s improper external influences on the jury and remand for a new trial,” the justices wrote in the 5-0 ruling.
The decision is the latest twist in the case.
Murdaugh was previously sentenced to two consecutive life terms for shooting his wife and son on their hunting estate. He remains in prison for financial crimes.
The defendant’s attorneys appealed the murder conviction because of Hill’s improper comments to jurors during the trial and prejudicial evidence.
The defense alleged Hill made comments, such as “watch him closely” and “look at his actions,” suggesting Murdaugh was guilty. The majority of jurors said they did not hear her comments.
Murdaugh’s lawyers argued her words violated his right to a fair trial and an impartial jury.
“Both the State and Murdaugh’s defense skillfully presented their cases to the jury as the trial court deftly presented their cases to the jury as the trial court deftly presided over this complicated and high-profile matter,” the justices wrote. “However, their efforts were in vain because Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill placed her fingers on the scales of justice, thereby denying Murdaugh his right to a fair trial by an impartial jury.”
Last May, Hill was charged with perjury, obstruction of justice, and misconduct related to releasing sealed evidence to the media and lying about it under oath. She also used her role as county clerk to promote her book about the trial.
After pleading guilty to the charges in December, she was sentenced to three years of probation.
Hill was not formally charged with making improper comments to the jury.
JUDGE DENIES ALEX MURDAUGH NEW MURDER TRIAL FOLLOWING JURY TAMPERING CLAIMS
Murdaugh, who previously served as a lawyer, was initially indicted on a number of financial crimes before he was indicted for the murders. He pleaded guilty to the 22 federal charges on bank fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. However, he pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife and son. He still maintains his innocence.
Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were shot and killed at Moselle, the family’s hunting estate in Colleton County, on June 7, 2021. Murdaugh told police officers he found their bodies on the property that night.
