The court clerk who was accused of jury tampering took the stand on Monday amid Alex Murdaugh’s bid for a new trial.
According to Fits News, Rebecca Hill said she made $100,000 on her book, Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders, which she later admitted to plagiarizing. She later denied allegations that she told jurors not to be “fooled” by Murdaugh’s testimony or let the defense confuse them.
Alex Murdaugh’s Lawyer Grills Clerk of Court on Jury Manipulation Claims, Writing Book for Money pic.twitter.com/8pPO44jYRy
— Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) January 29, 2024
In seeking a new trial, Murdaugh’s legal team has accused Hill of rushing jurors to reach a guilty verdict for a book she was writing and self-publishing about the high-profile 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: Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool]
