11/17 NEWSBREAK: Newman to step aside as judge for new Murdaugh murder trial

S.C. Circuit Judge Clifton Newman, who presided over Alex Murdaugh’s sensational murder trial this year, has agreed to step aside after the former lawyer and convicted murderer requested a new trial, citing alleged jury tampering by a court clerk. But the state Supreme Court on Thursday refused a request to delay Murdaugh’s Nov. 27 state trial on financial crime charges or to remove Newman from it.

Murdaugh was convicted in March in the June 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and their son, Paul, after a six-week trial in Colleton County. Newman, who was appointed to handle all of Murdaugh’s cases, presided over that trial and has presided over various hearings related to scores of financial charges Murdaugh also faces.

In a motion filed Nov. 1, Murdaugh’s defense attorneys asked for a writ of prohibition that would prevent Newman from all future trials and hearings as it seeks a new trial amid accusations of jury tampering. They argued Newman should be barred from presiding over any future cases because he “has personal knowledge about the clerk of court’s conduct.” They also asked for delay in the trial and change of venue.

According to an order filed Thursday, the writ of prohibition was rendered moot, as Newman requested that a new judge be assigned to handle the post-trial motions involving the murder charges. Newman will still preside over the financial trial for which a motion to stay was also denied. That trial will begin Nov. 27.

In City Paper news today:

CP OPINION: Give Moms for Liberty the boot by voting for Tecklenburg, Tinkler. “Everyone in Charleston County is a firsthand witness to the narrowness, division, turmoil and dysfunction brought by candidates supported by Moms for Liberty. Just look at the Charleston County School District Board of Trustees, where five M4L-backed candidates hold a majority and use it to freeze the voices of reason. And who suffers while these petulant, elected zealots who support divisive, uber-conservative positions? Our children.”

CP CARTOON:

CP COVER: Thanksgiving: a day in three parts. Charleston City Paper offers a Turkey Day trifecta to fill you with a little history, some good food and some things to do for the upcoming holiday.

CP NEWS: Jail health care still under scrutiny, but improving. Charleston County’s jail — now under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for eight deaths of incarcerated people in recent months — may have turned the corner on inmate health thanks to a recent county agreement with new for-profit medical care provider Vitalcore Health Strategies.

CP NEWS: Constituent school boards not targeted by Moms for Liberty. It seems that either Moms for Liberty have not yet reached, or haven’t yet targeted, the leaders of Charleston County’s constituent district school boards.

CP NEWS: GrowFood Carolina’s new director discusses next chapter. Benton Montgomery was named as interim (and later official) replacement to longtime director Anthony Mirisciotta earlier this year. Montgomery’s goals for GrowFood as the new director include a refreshed commitment to the organization’s hometown.

CP FOOD: Charleston Husk renovates patio, rethinks bar menu. The Bar & Patio at Husk recently renovated its outdoor seating area and updated its menu.

CP NEWS: Rockabillique festival takes over Park Circle. The celebration of vintage cars, pinup fashion and Americana music returns to Park Circle Nov. 17 through Nov. 19 during the 10th annual Rockabillaque.

In other news:

Tecklenburg, Cogswell meet in runoff debate. Incumbent John Tecklenburg and challenger William Cogswell met face-to-face Thursday evening to debate in the mayoral runoff race.

Charleston, Berkeley counties see high early voter turnout. As early voting for runoff races began Wednesday in the City of Charleston election officials say the races are bringing more people to the polls.

S.C. ports gain steam with strong cargo growth. Cargo moving through the Port of Charleston nearly rebounded to pandemic-era highs in October, as a number of inbound containers hit their highest level in a year.

Charleston Southern looks to be first S.C. private college to cover tuition. Charleston Southern University has adopted a program called Buc Promise that makes it the first private school in the state with a tuition guarantee.

Tradesman Brewing elevates taproom, expands distribution. Tradesman Brewing Co. revamped its outdoor space and taproom, featuring new AstroTurf on the outside patio along with widescreen televisions, a shipping container stage for musicians and more.

Charleston honors hundreds of lives lost to traffic incidents. The City of Charleston is acknowledging and honoring the lives lost on city streets in recent years at a council meeting ahead of World Remembrance Day for traffic accident victims.