Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Rachel Sharp and Andrea Cavallier

Alex Murdaugh trial clerk hires lawyers after bombshell jury tampering claims – latest

AP
Buster Murdaugh gives first TV interview denying involvement in Smith homicide

The court clerk who oversaw the murder trial of convicted killer Alex Murdaugh has hired high-profile lawyers after his attorneys accused her of pressuring jurors to return a guilty verdict against him.

The disgraced legal scion’s attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin filed a motion for a new trial on Tuesday, alleging that Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca “Becky” Hill tampered with the jury because she was driven by fame and a desire to secure a book deal.

Ms Hill has now retained the counsel of State Rep Justin Bamberg and former assistant US attorney Will Lewis.

The clerk has yet to formally respond to the allegations against her and she is not currently facing any criminal charges.

Much of the 65-page motion centres around juror number 785 – who was infamously dismissed from the panel just hours before deliberations began. Judge Clifton Newman removed her for allegedly discussing the case with people outside of the court.

The woman then prompted some light-hearted relief when she asked to pick up her “dozen eggs” from the jury room before she left.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.