Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh is returning to court today in an unusual hearing in which he is seeking a new trial. Former jurors will be questioned in response to an allegation of jury tampering in his murder trial.
During today’s hearing in Columbia, a judge will question jurors who found Murdaugh guilty of shooting and killing his wife and son over an allegation that Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill tampered with the jury. Hill, at the center of the retrial effort, also is expected to be questioned in court.
The hearing, presided over by former S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal, won’t be easy for Murdaugh’s lawyers after Toal ruled earlier this month that “the defense must prove that potential misconduct including alleged comments by Hill warning jurors not to trust Murdaugh when he testifies directly led jurors to change their minds to guilty.”
But one media outlet is pointing to this 2016 case that the defense might use to buttress its case. Another outlet reported Friday that a juror from the case was questioned Friday ahead of the retrial hearing.
In other recent headlines:
CP OPINION, Brack: A look at everyday costs in South Carolina. “It’s not uncommon for folks to mope that the cost of things has soared so much that they don’t know what they’re going to do with themselves. But is it true? Apparently the answer is sometimes yes and, in some surprising cases, no.”
CP NEWS: State lawmakers consider 2 bills on liquor sales. Members of the S.C. House may consider loosening two old-time Sunday alcohol restrictions as early as this week. The bills — House Bill 4231, which would permit liquor sales on Sundays, and House Bill 4364, which would allow alcohol delivery and pickup from grocery stores — on Wednesday passed the House Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support.
2024: Biden seeks to reenergize his base in South Carolina. President Joe Biden rallied Democrats at a big Saturday dinner in Columbia in which he said “you’re the reason Donald Trump is a defeated former president.” The S.C. “first in the nation” Democratic presidential primary is Saturday. Meanwhile, the president also thanked S.C. voters who helped him win the state’s primary four years ago.
2024. Haley digs at Trump’s competency at Grand Strand event. Former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley criticized the mental fitness of frontrunner and former President Donald Trump at a Saturday rally at Coastal Carolina University. “America deserves answers and Donald Trump won’t give them to you,” she said. “Chaos follows him. We need to go in a different direction.”
Also Saturday in an Upstate rally, she courted supporters for the state’s Feb. 24 primary. But former Gov. Mark Sanford says she faces a steep climb in the Palmetto State. In unrelated news, Haley’s Kiawah Island home was reportedly at the center of a bogus “swatting” incident at her Kiawah Island home in December.
SC-1: Mace’s former chief of staff to run against her. Dan Hanlon, former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has filed paperwork to run against her.
Santee Cooper wants to collect on big bill. The state-based utility is looking for a way to pay off hundreds of millions of dollars through securitization — selling bonds and having consumers foot the eventual bill.
Charleston Place makes it to Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List of hotels. It’s one of 75 destination properties for the year.
Charleston becomes Coast Guard’s 33rd official community. Charleston is now a Coast Guard Community following a Friday ceremony.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.