There was a brief recess during Monday’s proceedings when the court learned that jurors in Alex Murdaugh’s double murder trial were watching a livestream of today’s proceedings.
According to Fits News, Judge Jean Toal was heard saying “God d****t” before abruptly leaving the courtroom. Once she returned, she explained that jurors in the jury room had been watching a Court TV livestream of the ongoing testimony and called for a five-minute recess.
READ: Juror Testimony: Clerk of Court’s Comment Influenced Juror’s Decision in Alex Murdaugh Murder Trial
BREAKING: Two major developments at today’s Alex #Murdaugh hearing:
1. Retired #SC Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal just said jurors have been streaming the hearing in a back room. Someone failed to confiscate cell phones. Justice Toal is NOT happy. #WIS10 pic.twitter.com/BU3C5eVZqG
— Judi Gatson (@JudiGatson) January 29, 2024
Later on, Judge Toal told the court that a bailiff would be in the jury room. The judge also said the bailiff instructed the jurors not to tell each other about the testimony they will give, Fits News reported.
Murdaugh’s legal team accused clerk of court, Rebecca “Becky” Hill, of rushing jurors to reach a guilty verdict for a book she was writing and self-publishing on the trial.
While Judge Jean Toal ruled she would testify at a January 29 hearing, she denied requests requiring testimony from dismissed jurors, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and Judge Clifton Newman, who oversaw the high-profile trial.
Murdaugh was convicted in March 2023 of killing his wife and son, Maggie and Paul Murdaugh, and was sentenced to life in prison.
Alex Murdaugh is now seeking a new trial. His attorneys claim Hill’s actions denied Murdaugh’s Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial. Jurors handed down a guilty verdict in less than three hours.
In addition to two life sentences, Murdaugh was sentenced to 27 years for stealing more than $8 million from clients and his former law firm.
Lead prosecutor Waters said a SLED investigation uncovered no outside tampering of the jury — though one juror said they felt pressured by other jurors to vote guilty. Murdaugh has maintained his innocence.
Monday’s proceedings continue. A live stream is below:
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[Feature Photo: Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh speaks with his defense attorney, Dick Harpootlian, in Beaufort, S.C. on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. A pretrial hearing is scheduled Friday on state charges that Murdaugh stole money from his legal clients. (AP Photo/James Pollard)]
