PAUL & MAGGIE MURDAUGH: South Carolina vs. Alex Murdaugh for Double Homicide of wife & son *GUILTY*

This case is being kept pretty quiet, no major details released to speak of (other than it does say there were two different guns used), but no info regarding who found them, who called 911, very little else.

Of interest, the grandfather died just a few days after these murders and it sounds as if he was ill from various articles so probably not unexpected. I think of the typical motives, did grandpa have a big estate? How big in the overall family of grandpa's on down? They sound like a pretty well known family and a powerful one in their state, more on that in the article.

Questions abound in SC Murdaugh killing. Among them: Should prosecutor step aside?

Several days after two members of a prominent Hampton County family were fatally shot, questions about what happened still vastly outnumber answers.

www.postandcourier.com

 

[GrandmaBear]

So I take it no one saw the press conference or any articles?

I saw part of it on break and IF it is true what Poot is saying and the context is correct, there are big problems. The CLERK supposedly went into the jury room and warned them or some such about not believing the defense or anything Alex would be saying on the stand, or warned some of them anyhow. Paraphrasing. Per "The Lawyer You Know" this is not a minor thing.

I of course didn't get to watch much of it and thought I'd get home and see some summary posted here.

I'm also not sure if there is new evidence at all as again I didn't see it all.

People in chat were saying they wouldn't doubt the Clerk was paid to do this or that she knows Alex, same county he lived and worked in after all.

Poot also said Judge Newman should be replaced for any new trial, etc. because, I can't quite remember, but I think because this happened on "his watch" or during "his trial" or some such.

Supposedly Poot saw this or saw her go in, not sure which and that begs the question why he didn't say something during the trial then...

That's about all I caught. Anyone else up on it and what else was covered in it?

 

[Cousin Dupree]

Evidently, the court clerk is being accused of jury manipulation. This is why I'd never write a book about a jury experience until all appeals have been decided, and I feel like writing one.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Evidently, the court clerk is being accused of jury manipulation. This is why I'd never write a book about a jury experience until all appeals have been decided, and I feel like writing one.

Yeah that was another thing. She wrote a book and apparently, IF I have it right (it's hard to stuff in much in about seven minutes of a break by the time I punch out, sit down, have a minute, and then have to punch back in. I haven't punched a time clock for a job I don't think since I was in my 20s. Anywho, if I have it right, the book bothered a few jurors and that's when one said something if I have it right and then others did as well. Something like that.

I am not going to jump on this ship yet. I do think it very convenient and the same clerk they all dealt with many a time I'm sure when practicing law in that ocunty. Another thing is she has lived in Colleton County her whole life, I recall hearing that too. That's where Moselle is which is where the murders occurred. No one can tell me Alex didn't know her or that they all don't know each other. They probably SHOULD have changed venue in this case.

Anyhow, the other thing I don't know is how long she has been clerk. Since they are elected it could have been one year or 20. To this moment, I still have not had a minute to watch a full thing on it or read one. I have to find the time and take time to go look. If you have one that is good in depth but to the point, please share it.

This was my fifth day of work in a row and tomorrow is number six. Lonnggg days and life falls apart at home, I just try to maintain and get to work. It gets old. Love the people and the job but not the long hours BUT I need them. Anywhoo....

 

[Cousin Dupree]

Yeah that was another thing. She wrote a book and apparently, IF I have it right (it's hard to stuff in much in about seven minutes of a break by the time I punch out, sit down, have a minute, and then have to punch back in. I haven't punched a time clock for a job I don't think since I was in my 20s. Anywho, if I have it right, the book bothered a few jurors and that's when one said something if I have it right and then others did as well. Something like that.

I am not going to jump on this ship yet. I do think it very convenient and the same clerk they all dealt with many a time I'm sure when practicing law in that ocunty. Another thing is she has lived in Colleton County her whole life, I recall hearing that too. That's where Moselle is which is where the murders occurred. No one can tell me Alex didn't know her or that they all don't know each other. They probably SHOULD have changed venue in this case.

Anyhow, the other thing I don't know is how long she has been clerk. Since they are elected it could have been one year or 20. To this moment, I still have not had a minute to watch a full thing on it or read one. I have to find the time and take time to go look. If you have one that is good in depth but to the point, please share it.

This was my fifth day of work in a row and tomorrow is number six. Lonnggg days and life falls apart at home, I just try to maintain and get to work. It gets old. Love the people and the job but not the long hours BUT I need them. Anywhoo....

I'm pretty sure clerks aren't elected. It's just a job.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Another point or question I saw in the chat of what I watched a few minutes of which had the PC on, was if this one is thrown out and retried but he has pled guilty in federal court won't where he serves all his time be federal or something on that order...I do think it would definitely come first and foremost and he'd not be in state prison at all... IF this one is thrown out and that one gets finished with the deal and sentencing.

It's too new and I know too little but I find this all very beneficial and hopeful for Alex... And on the heels of all the other recent things and the show that just came out...Add to it Buster finally coming out and saying his dad is innocent, etc. and all getting headlines...

And one would think Alex friendless but here are Poot and Griffin and Griffin breaching ethics big time the way it sounds with nary a concern and who pays them? And NOW we have an area COUNTY clerk of the very court system they all work in/worked in. AND let's add to it they want the good judge that somehow was done right and fairly by apparently NOT being a Murdaugh legacy judge or croney off of it...

Seems likely to me the corruption is still there and back room sh*t is still going on...

 

[GrandmaBear]

I'm pretty sure clerks aren't elected. It's just a job.

No. The Clerk of Circuit Court is elected. I said county clerk earlier which isn't right, there is one of them too in most counties in most states. They are elected and I'd go so far as to say in most states eif not all. The lawyer I watched said so and I already knew it. The Clerk of Court's office, the D.A.'s office, and the Judge's office make up the floors or areas of most courtrooms and are integral to the court process. Add in investigators and the sheriff's department. And the Clerk does a he77 of a lot more than old chauvinist Poot said in his press conference about arranging juror lunches, etc. They receive all court filings, ALL of THEM. You don't send them to the judge they go through the Clerk.

 

[GrandmaBear]

No. The Clerk of Circuit Court is elected. I said county clerk earlier which isn't right, there is one of them too in most counties in most states. They are elected and I'd go so far as to say in most states eif not all. The lawyer I watched said so and I already knew it. The Clerk of Court's office, the D.A.'s office, and the Judge's office make up the floors or areas of most courtrooms and are integral to the court process. Add in investigators and the sheriff's department. And the Clerk does a he77 of a lot more than old chauvinist Poot said in his press conference about arranging juror lunches, etc. They receive all court filings, ALL of THEM. You don't send them to the judge they go through the Clerk.

D.A.s are elected. Judges are elected. Clerk of the CIRCUIT COURT is elected. Sheriffs are elected.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Assistant DAs are not elected. Deputies are not elected. Clerk or Judge's staff are not elected, etc. Public defenders are appointed and in my area so are family court commissioners. I think that all is pretty much the norm not to say there couldn't be some freak state who has tried to change it.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Oh that's right, now that I'm having to go listen to something to know the rest, etc., the judge may be called to testify so he can't preside is what they said.

 

[Cousin Dupree]

Vinnie Politan just confirmed she's an elected official.

 

[Summer_Breeze]

Alex Murdaugh seeks new trial, alleges jury tampering in bombshell motion

Alex Murdaugh's lawyers requested a new South Carolina murder trial in an explosive motion that accuses the court clerk of tampering with jurors to get a book deal.

www.foxnews.com

By Rebecca Rosenberg Fox News
Published September 5, 2023 11:15am EDT | Updated September 5, 2023 4:13pm EDT

Lawyers for Alex Murdaugh requested a new trial Tuesday in an explosive motion filed in Columbia, South Carolina, that alleges the court clerk tampered with jurors so she could secure a book deal.

Colleton County Court Clerk Rebecca Hill penned the memoir "Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders," which hit bookstores Aug. 1.

Hill pressured jurors to "reach a quick verdict" and had "frequent private conversations with the jury foreperson" to sway the panel toward a guilty verdict, attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin wrote in the filing.

"Ms. Hill did these things to secure for herself a book deal and media appearances that would not happen in the event of a mistrial," the filing says. "Ms. Hill betrayed her oath of office for money and fame."

The accusations were made in a motion citing "newly discovered evidence," including interviews with two jurors.

<snip>

The bombshell new filing also accuses Hill, an elected official, of warning jurors "not to be fooled" by Murdaugh before he testified and "misrepresenting critical and material information to the trial judge" to get a juror she believed was sympathetic to the defense dismissed.

Hill allegedly instructed the panel to "watch him closely" and "look at his actions," implying that Murdaugh was lying.

The filing says Hill got one juror booted from the panel Feb. 28 on the eve of deliberations by falsely telling Judge Clifton Newman that the woman's ex-husband had accused her in a deleted Facebook post of talking way too much to friends and family about the case. Hill even wrote about the incident in her book.

But the post, according to the defense lawyers, never existed, and they included an affidavit from the woman's ex-husband corroborating this.

<snip>

She also allegedly told the six smokers on the panel that they could not take a smoke break until they'd wrapped up deliberations. After the sentencing, Hill accompanied three jurors on a trip to New York City to appear on the "Today" show. It was the first time Hill had ever flown on a plane.

In addition to the motion for a new trial, the defense team sent a letter to the U.S. attorney for the District of South Carolina, asking for a federal probe into Hill's alleged misconduct.

<snip>

Griffin said the two jurors, who had refused to talk previously, came forward after Hill's memoir was published, angered by how the clerk was "going on a book tour and making money" off the trial.

When they relayed the new information to Murdaugh, he was reportedly stunned.

"He’s a lawyer. He was astonished. He was shaking. He was in disbelief," Griffin said.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Vinnie Politan just confirmed she's an elected official.

i said that, already knew it but I guess my word for it was not good enough, you needed to hear it from Vinnie. Lol.

I've seen some very heated clerk of court races in my lifetime. Don't think they don't have power or at least aren't someone who IF corrupt can;t do a lot of damage to a case. Every filing and paper has to come through them and as to when it is recorded as timely, in order, and filed with the court and a lot more. If you were a corrupt judge or lawyer, you'd definitely want the clerk in your pocket. HOWEVER, it APPEARS this clerk wanted Alex convicted. APPEARS.

If this was ANY other case, I'd look at this at face value. Not, however, in this Murdaugh area of SC and the full on corruption in his circle and the courts. I still question the one female judge and if she shouldn't be investigated. I'm giving it a bit of time to see what shakes out here but then many are still scared to speak up in that area even after the takedowns of Murdaugh and SOME of his cronies...

 

[GrandmaBear]

Alex Murdaugh seeks new trial, alleges jury tampering in bombshell motion

Alex Murdaugh's lawyers requested a new South Carolina murder trial in an explosive motion that accuses the court clerk of tampering with jurors to get a book deal.

www.foxnews.com

By Rebecca Rosenberg Fox News
Published September 5, 2023 11:15am EDT | Updated September 5, 2023 4:13pm EDT

Lawyers for Alex Murdaugh requested a new trial Tuesday in an explosive motion filed in Columbia, South Carolina, that alleges the court clerk tampered with jurors so she could secure a book deal.

Colleton County Court Clerk Rebecca Hill penned the memoir "Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders," which hit bookstores Aug. 1.

Hill pressured jurors to "reach a quick verdict" and had "frequent private conversations with the jury foreperson" to sway the panel toward a guilty verdict, attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin wrote in the filing.

"Ms. Hill did these things to secure for herself a book deal and media appearances that would not happen in the event of a mistrial," the filing says. "Ms. Hill betrayed her oath of office for money and fame."

The accusations were made in a motion citing "newly discovered evidence," including interviews with two jurors.

<snip>

The bombshell new filing also accuses Hill, an elected official, of warning jurors "not to be fooled" by Murdaugh before he testified and "misrepresenting critical and material information to the trial judge" to get a juror she believed was sympathetic to the defense dismissed.

Hill allegedly instructed the panel to "watch him closely" and "look at his actions," implying that Murdaugh was lying.

The filing says Hill got one juror booted from the panel Feb. 28 on the eve of deliberations by falsely telling Judge Clifton Newman that the woman's ex-husband had accused her in a deleted Facebook post of talking way too much to friends and family about the case. Hill even wrote about the incident in her book.

But the post, according to the defense lawyers, never existed, and they included an affidavit from the woman's ex-husband corroborating this.

<snip>

She also allegedly told the six smokers on the panel that they could not take a smoke break until they'd wrapped up deliberations. After the sentencing, Hill accompanied three jurors on a trip to New York City to appear on the "Today" show. It was the first time Hill had ever flown on a plane.

In addition to the motion for a new trial, the defense team sent a letter to the U.S. attorney for the District of South Carolina, asking for a federal probe into Hill's alleged misconduct.

<snip>

Griffin said the two jurors, who had refused to talk previously, came forward after Hill's memoir was published, angered by how the clerk was "going on a book tour and making money" off the trial.

When they relayed the new information to Murdaugh, he was reportedly stunned.

"He’s a lawyer. He was astonished. He was shaking. He was in disbelief," Griffin said.

His defense team would have been wise to leave this statement out.

When they relayed the new information to Murdaugh, he was reportedly stunned.

"He’s a lawyer. He was astonished. He was shaking. He was in disbelief," Griffin said.

As if the man was stunned to all heck that such corruption and lack of ethics could exist. If true and not set up to throw the case, what she did is SO WRONG and she deserves to be thrown under the bus but for this defendant and his team to judge others on their ethics as if they wear white robes and halos is ridiculous. He was in shaking and in disbelief I take it that anyone could DO such a thing. Give me a break, considering he MURDERED and DEFRAUDED and more.

For all the hoopla this is, the man is still guilty. The Clerk should be guillotined (sarcasm) for destroying what was a just verdict and a fully well prosecuted and presided over by a very fair judge kind of case with ample evidence that would have resulted in a guilty verdict regardless.

She is going to be hated and villified if all this is true and she should be. No less than Murdaugh and his team should be. What a CORRUPT bunch of people in power in this area our country. I don't know how their GOOD citizens stand it.

Griff, Poot and Alex might want to focus on just her and tamp down their outrage that such could go on when they represent one of the mot admittedly corrupt lawyers that harmed numbers of people in just his fraud alone and manipulation of funds, court personnel, judges, witnesses, cops, etc.

This woman affected a verdict while Alex ran around in boat cases and others trying to change the story and get witnesses to lie, etc. I guess what I mean is look who is calling the kettle black... The Clerk deserves to be taken down for this if all true and prosecuted, etc. criminally BUT they might want to stop their outrage and disbelief something so corrupt could go on because it isn't a good look for the ones who did/do the same type of thing. This team and Alex being morally outraged? LMAO.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Explain this one to me. Allegedly for the jurors there was a ladies' room and a men's room and I don't mean bathrooms, I mean apparently deliberation rooms/areas. And most of this info came from the ladies' room.

Say what? Juries are segregated her and don't deliberate together? Has anyone else heard this? It was said in the PC by Poot and Griffin.

How could such a thing go on, aren't they all "locked" in together??

I am however waiting for the response to all of these allegations by the prosecution, the clerk, etc. and jurors.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Hmmm. Like I said, I will wait for this to shake out... The one attorney says on here that the Clerk is going to have one he77 of a defamation suit against old Poot... I think something else is going on here and of course I don't trust Alex and the defense but we will see...

Side note: Don't ask me why but Vinnie plugs a case from a few years ago, McCandless, at the beginning. I watched that trial and it was a Wisconsin one. It seems very like and similar to the Jodi Arias case but perhaps even more weird, but very similar. If anyone is ever bored, Court TV covered it all and it was aired live when it wen ton yet few seem to know of it. How it relates to what is going on in this case, I have no idea other than I guess Vinnie decided to promote it for some reason. No similarities at all.

So back to this one. Apparently some jurors have gotten attorneys... Two of them are on this show and they don't exactly agree on all...

What I find interesting or telling maybe is that the biggest problem juror(or one of two anyhow) is the one that was dismissed and was possibly sympathetic to Alex... I don't think it is a reach in THIS case with this man and his attorneys to wonder if she was their "ringer" but also to wonder if the "good" side new it and the only way to defeat an entrenched and apparently still powerful Murdaugh was to get rid of her because this area is just not clean and there is/was no other way to stop corruption without doing something dirty? Not sure I made what I mean clear here. It doesn't seem farfetched though in THIS case.

My next leaning thus far is that Poot and Griff are embellishing and making a mountain out of a molehill IF there is even a molehill.

And on an entirely sarcastic and lighter note, what is the sh*t with the defense team and their sunglasses at PCs. Who do these old men think they are, Men in Black? Well one was in gray but anyhow...

 

[GrandmaBear]

Typical of court TV there is a bit of other promo/other cases in the middle of this but keep watching. Interesting the different opinions and info.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I will say this here since it is the thread I am on. Why is it people join this site and 99 percent never contribute one bit to any conversation about any crime or say a word on any thread? If they are just reading, clearly we are all easygoing, etc. to each other. We each have our opinions but don't attack others for not sharing them, etc. When I came I was nervous for a long time about making a single misstep due to what I honestly believe was PTSD from JT. But I still contributed and kept doing so until I felt more at ease and it did take some time. Not because of anyone here but because of the other place I came from. Well, the emu was definitely a new issue and concern but other than that... Well and people who can't see pandas and all this other weird stuff I was reading which seems normal now but when I "arrived" I wondered wth all the strange talk was. Oh and aliens. Folding chairs. It was very much an alien world to me... LOL. I should be worried that now it all seems so normal....LOL. Oh man what does that say about me??

Anyhowwww, I am encouraging those that join to "speak". I'd sure welcome discussion not that I get a lot of time but when I do, I enjoy discussing cases.

 

[Tresir]

Ok so I found this video which sort of explained to me what is going on with this case now and some of the jury members lawyering up. This is the lawyer speaking who is representing them and he explained it in a way I could understand. There is a book written by someone ( the clerk of the court maybe? ) and none of the jurors spoke out because of this book?

Also, Alex's lawyer wants the appeal stayed till this jury thing is sorted out. By the sound of it anyway. It all sounds a bit of a mess. But good fuel for the appeal IMO.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Ok so I found this video which sort of explained to me what is going on with this case now and some of the jury members lawyering up. This is the lawyer speaking who is representing them and he explained it in a way I could understand. There is a book written by someone ( the clerk of the court maybe? ) and none of the jurors spoke out because of this book?

Also, Alex's lawyer wants the appeal stayed till this jury thing is sorted out. By the sound of it anyway. It all sounds a bit of a mess. But good fuel for the appeal IMO.

The clerk did write a book yes. The jurors did not keep quiet because of the book, allegedly per the defense the book ticked them off in fact. That is per the defense though, I will wait to see what shakes out and what I end up believing.

I started to watch this one on break but didn't finish, however, I saw him on another show, I also saw the Clerk's partner in the book who is talking while she can't just yet. She did put out a statement however just stating that it "is not true". I take that to mean the allegations that she talked about things she should not have to jurors.

Old Poot and Griffin are most definitely choreographing this so that Alex gets in federal prison. However, it doesn't mean it is lies. Another thing the one you watched said (the jurors' attorney, he isn't saying which ones he represents) is that he was not in agreement with much about the defense press conference and for one they are playing to public opinion and I agree with that. He didn't like the "threats" that the judge will be a witness and where they said the jurors will need lawyers. Well no kidding! I watched a good bit of Buster's recent interview lately and I find this ALL and the timing of all intentional and to get the public on Alex's side. Tell me that isn't trying to sway a jury (the next one), the very side that says publicity taints a jury pool. I find everything lately choreographed as to timing and intent from the recent show, to Buster speaking, to the federal charges, to Alex and his attorneys sneaking info to the show and pictures, etc. Every bit was PLANNED and it is quite obvious.

I am NOT saying though there may not be truth to what the defense alleges about the jurors or the Clerk but but they still timed everything and are doing it in the order they need to. All that considered though, and considering who it is coming from, area SC attorneys of the corrupt Murdaugh, I certainly am not buying into it all either and can believe there is more smoke than fire but I am taking a wait and see.

I cannot get over the irony of hearing the outrage of these attorneys and Alex re anything corrupt related as to the Clerk or anyone considering who it is coming from. Alex did more tampering with witnesses and courts and more in his lifetime than probably anyone I can think of in recent memory.

Here's a question, I didn't watch the recent show, didn't the show contact jurors or try to? Did they talk to them? Also this is far from the entire jury claiming this and we haven't even seen what is it, two affidavits, that Poot claims they have? Or have we? I don't think so.

Anyhow, this show I don't think gave you the full understanding if you didn't know the Clerk wrote a book. Did you watch the defense press conference as to their claims? That would be the place to start I'd say.

 

[Tresir]

The clerk did write a book yes. The jurors did not keep quiet because of the book, allegedly per the defense the book ticked them off in fact. That is per the defense though, I will wait to see what shakes out and what I end up believing.

I started to watch this one on break but didn't finish, however, I saw him on another show, I also saw the Clerk's partner in the book who is talking while she can't just yet. She did put out a statement however just stating that it "is not true". I take that to mean the allegations that she talked about things she should not have to jurors.

Old Poot and Griffin are most definitely choreographing this so that Alex gets in federal prison. However, it doesn't mean it is lies. Another thing the one you watched said (the jurors' attorney, he isn't saying which ones he represents) is that he was not in agreement with much about the defense press conference and for one they are playing to public opinion and I agree with that. He didn't like the "threats" that the judge will be a witness and where they said the jurors will need lawyers. Well no kidding! I watched a good bit of Buster's recent interview lately and I find this ALL and the timing of all intentional and to get the public on Alex's side. Tell me that isn't trying to sway a jury (the next one), the very side that says publicity taints a jury pool. I find everything lately choreographed as to timing and intent from the recent show, to Buster speaking, to the federal charges, to Alex and his attorneys sneaking info to the show and pictures, etc. Every bit was PLANNED and it is quite obvious.

I am NOT saying though there may not be truth to what the defense alleges about the jurors or the Clerk but but they still timed everything and are doing it in the order they need to. All that considered though, and considering who it is coming from, area SC attorneys of the corrupt Murdaugh, I certainly am not buying into it all either and can believe there is more smoke than fire but I am taking a wait and see.

I cannot get over the irony of hearing the outrage of these attorneys and Alex re anything corrupt related as to the Clerk or anyone considering who it is coming from. Alex did more tampering with witnesses and courts and more in his lifetime than probably anyone I can think of in recent memory.

Here's a question, I didn't watch the recent show, didn't the show contact jurors or try to? Did they talk to them? Also this is far from the entire jury claiming this and we haven't even seen what is it, two affidavits, that Poot claims they have? Or have we? I don't think so.

Anyhow, this show I don't think gave you the full understanding if you didn't know the Clerk wrote a book. Did you watch the defense press conference as to their claims? That would be the place to start I'd say.

No I haven't seen the press conference itself but have just read some reports and the posts on here. The book came out on 1st Aug, I understand and no jurors talked before that book came out AFAIK. I have always said the Netflix series being on at the same time as the trial was wrong - it would just not happen here. Now the jurors are talking and getting lawyers. What a sh*tshow.

Has the clerk still got her job? Does she have a lawyer too? I am wondering why Alex even wants a new trial? Why wouldn't he just want to appeal his case and win?