11/14 NEWSBREAK: Murdaugh's defense attorneys want to move trial, delay

Attorneys for convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh asked the court Monday to change the location or delay the start of his coming financial fraud trial for at least a year. They cited the media frenzy around the case and potential difficulty in empaneling an impartial jury. The trial is scheduled to start Nov. 27 in Beaufort County.

Murdaugh attorneys Richard Harpootlian and Jim Griffin filed a motion for a change of venue or a continuance of the pending trial. Some 147 juror pretrial questionnaires have been returned with information about whether potential jurors have prior knowledge about Murdaugh and his criminal charges, according to Murdaugh’s attorneys. One prospective juror, for example, wrote that his mind was made up.

The attorneys also argued that “unprecedented media coverage” of the double murder trial in Walterboro, which was broadcast live and inspired multiple documentaries and two recent movies, created publicity that could impact Murdaugh’s ability to get a fair trial.

“There are perhaps counties located in the Upstate whose citizens have not followed the coverage of (Murdaugh) as closely as the citizens in the Lowcountry,” Murdaugh’s attorneys wrote. “However, this is very doubtful in the present media climate.”

Murdaugh’s attorneys continued by suggesting to delay the trial altogether, stating there is no rush to try Murdaugh in state court since he has already pleaded guilty to the same crimes in federal court, and awaits sentencing there.

In other news:

S.C. gas prices drop another nickel in the past week. The average price for a gallon of gas in South Carolina fell 4.9 cents over the past week down to $2.89 per gallon, according to GasBuddy’s latest survey.

S.C. restaurant inspections to get farm-to-table makeover. The S.C. Department of Agriculture will start handing out the health and cleanliness grades for restaurants starting in 2024.

Early voting for 3 Charleston Co. runoff races begins Wednesday. Voters in Charleston County will be able to vote early starting this Wednesday in a runoff election ahead of next week’s runoff election date.

Tecklenburg, Cogswell debate ahead of runoff vote. Incumbent Mayor John Tecklenburg, who is seeking his third term in office, and former state Rep. William Cogswell debated Monday night, addressing ongoing issues in the city such as public safety, housing and flooding.

Charleston home sales fall for the 26th consecutive month. Charleston-area home sales declined for a 26th consecutive month in October for a 7-year low as increased inflation rates cut into demand.

Charleston Co. school board removes 4 health advisory committee members. The Charleston County School District’s Board of Trustees reconsidered its decision to remove six Health Advisory Committee members on Monday night, but still voted to remove four members.

Iconic Charleston restaurant celebrates 30 years. Halls Management Group celebrates the 30th anniversary of their restaurant Slightly North of Broad (SNOB) on East Bay Street. To celebrate, SNOB will open the vault to some of its most celebrated dishes alongside current favorites during the week of Dec. 4 – 10.