Attorneys Appeal Alex Murdaugh’s Sentence
Attorneys representing Alex Murdaugh, a former lawyer now serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife and youngest son, have filed an appeal challenging his conviction. They argue that improper testimony and alleged jury tampering by court clerk Becky Hill tainted the trial with unfairness.
Murder and Financial Crimes
In June 2021, Murdaugh fatally shot his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, on their family’s hunting estate in Colleton County, South Carolina. Prosecutors claimed that the murders were an attempt to distract from Murdaugh’s mounting financial crimes, which included conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.
Earlier this year, Murdaugh was sentenced to an additional 480 months for his financial crimes on top of his life sentences for murder. Prosecutors alleged that he used his influence to win cases for clients and keep a portion of the earnings for himself.
Appeal Allegations
In a 132-page appeal, Murdaugh’s lawyers argue that his financial crimes should not have been included in the murder trial, as they were irrelevant and prejudicial. They also allege that Becky Hill, the former court clerk who resigned over jury tampering allegations, influenced the jury’s verdict.
Despite 11 jurors denying Hill’s influence on their decision, the appeal claims that her actions were enough to warrant a new trial. However, a previous ruling by Judge Jean Toal found no grounds for a retrial based on Hill’s alleged misconduct.
Pending Investigations
Hill, facing 76 ethics violations, was scheduled to appear before the State’s Ethics Commission but is now awaiting the outcome of a criminal investigation by the Attorney General’s Office. The appeal also challenges the introduction of guns and gunshot residue as evidence in the case without sufficient links to Murdaugh.
The appeal seeks to overturn Murdaugh’s conviction based on these alleged irregularities in his trial.
