The South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh’s double murder convictions, ordering a new trial in the killings of his wife and son.
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The court ruled that Murdaugh was denied his right to a fair trial because of Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill’s “improper external influences on the jury.”
“Hill placed her fingers on the scales of justice,” the court wrote in its unanimous decision, accusing her of “shocking jury interference” during the 2023 trial.
Jim Griffin, Murdaugh’s lawyer, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Murdaugh was convicted two years ago in the June 2021 slayings of his wife, Margaret Murdaugh, and their 22-year-old son, Paul Murdaugh, in a trial that drew national attention.
In the case, prosecutors accused Murdaugh of carrying out the killings to earn pity and distract from financial crimes that threatened to derail his public reputation.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Pilar Melendez contributed.
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