Former S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal ruled Monday against convicted double murderer Alex Murdaugh’s attempt to get a new trial on allegations that a clerk of court tampered with the jury.
Each of the 12 jurors testified to Toal, retired but specially appointed to the case, that comments they heard didn’t directly influence their decision to find Murdaugh guilty, according to news reports. The Colleton County clerk, Becky Hill, denied speaking about the case or Murdaugh with jurors.
Toal said after reviewing the full transcript of the six-week trial that she had no reason to overturn the verdict based “on the strength of some fleeting and foolish comments by a publicity-seeking clerk of court” because they didn’t actively change the jurors’ minds.
In other recent headlines:
Haley victim of attempted ‘swatting,’ authorities say. Charleston County Sheriff’s Office released details Monday about an attempted swatting incident at former S.C. Gov. and 2024 presidential hopeful Nikki Haley’s home on Kiawah Island. Deputies were called to the former governor’s home Dec. 30 and Jan. 1 on false reports of gun violence, according to CCSO.
SC-1: Moore raises over $460K in 2023 with hopes of defeating Mace. Businessman Michael B. Moore, a Democrat, announced Monday that he raised $460,318 in 2023 in hopes to defeat U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in South Carolina’s First Congressional District.
Gas prices surge nearly 8 cents in past week. The price for a gallon of gasoline rose 7.6 cents to an average of $2.86 in South Carolina, according to a GasBuddy survey.
North Charleston Democrats voting today in Statehouse special election. Attorney Tiffany Spann-Wilder and Eduardo Curry II, who runs engagement programs for local youth, will face off to take control of District 109 in a special election today.
Roper St. Francis Healthcare renames ER, plans to launch mobile medical unit. Roper St. Francis Healthcare received a $5 million donation from Parker’s Community Impact Fund to expand access to health care for uninsured and underinsured patients, including renaming the health system’s emergency rooms Gregory M. Parker Emergency Departments.
Lowcountry nonprofit receives more than $3 million grant to help abused children. The Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center and the Medical University of South Carolina was recently awarded a five-year grant of $3,390,000 to support its ‘Project Best’ initiative, a state-wide collaborative effort to deliver evidence-supported trauma-focused practices to every abused and traumatized child who needs it.
Charleston’s first beachside brewpub opens on Folly Beach. Revelry Brewing Folly Beach is now open at 13B Center St., serving Poke the Bear, Lefty Loosey and other craft beers that have become popular over the years at its downtown Charleston location.
North Charleston’s new fire chief sets goal for the department. Fire Chief Joseph E. Munn is beginning his new role as the leader of North Charleston’s fire department, setting sights to accommodate the expanding city.
John L. Dart Library celebrates reopening with ceremony. The John L. Dart branch of the Charleston County library reopened on Monday after nearly two years of renovations.
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