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Attorneys for convicted double murderer Alex Murdaugh have accused Colleton County court clerk Rebecca Hill of jury tampering in a motion filed Tuesday morning demanding a new trial for the disbarred attorney.
According to the motion, a copy of which was obtained by FITSNews, Hill and the jury foreperson had frequent private conversations, and she regularly counseled jurors not to be “misled” by the defense’s case or “‘fooled by’ Murdaugh’s testimony in his own defense.”
Murdaugh was convicted earlier this year in the murders of his wife and son, Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, and was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences, as CrimeOnline previously reported.
State v Murdaugh Motion to Stay by kc wildmoon on Scribd
FITSNews also said that Murdaugh’s attorneys, Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, have referred the clerk to the office of the US Attorney for possible criminal charges, although they outlet said there was no information about a referral available Tuesday morning. Harpootlian and Griffin have scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon.
The attorneys are demanding a new trial based on information they say is “newly discovered.” The motion includes an affidavit by one juror who said they “felt pressured by the other jurors” to convict and who said they understood Hill’s comments “to mean Mr. Murdaugh would lie when he testified.”
The jurors deliberated for a quick three hours before returning guilty verdicts. But, the motion says, Hill pushed for “a quick verdict a quick verdict, telling them from the outset of their deliberations that it ’shouldn’t take them long.’”
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The motion further accuses Hill of pushing for a guilty verdict “to secure for herself a book deal and media appearances that would not happen in the event of a mistrial.”
“Hill betrayed her oath of office for money and fame,” the complaint says. “Once these facts are proven, the law does not allow the court any discretion about how to respond. It must grant a new trial.”
The motion also accuses Hill, an elected official, of making up a Facebook post to get a juror dismissed — a juror Murdaugh’s attorneys say might have voted not guilty.
The motion requests an evidentiary hearing at which attorneys will present their evidence regard Hill’s alleged activities. At that point, they say, a new trial will be necessary.
The defense news conference is scheduled for 2:30 Tuesday afternoon. Stay tuned for more information.
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[Featured image: Alex Murdaugh/South Carolina Department of Corrections]
