COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – A juror from the Alex Murdaugh trial is set to be questioned on Friday following alleged jury tampering by a Colleton County Clerk of Court during Murdaugh’s double murder trial.
Murdaugh was convicted of murdering his wife and son and his team insists the jury was influenced by Rebecca Hill, Colleton County Clerk of Court. Murdaugh’s team claims Hill instructed the jury to watch Murdaugh’s body language during his testimony and made other inappropriate comments while the jury was present. Hill is currently being investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Former South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal will be conducting the questioning of the 12 jurors and also overseeing hearings connected to Alex Murdaugh’s bid for a retrial. After interviewing the jurors and Hill, Justice Toal will determine the merit of the jury tampering claims and then determine if Murdaugh will get a retrial.
“Even if Becky Hill walked in and said something to the effect that’s been alleged, is that why he voted guilty as opposed to not guilty, that is going to be the ultimate question,” said Attorney Ronnie Richter who represents some of the jury members, and the one that will be questioned Friday.
The jury interviews were initially scheduled for Jan. 29, the same day as Murdaugh’s hearing for a new trial, but this one interview is Friday due to scheduling conflicts for this juror.
The rest of the jurors and Hill are expected to go before Justice Toal in Richland County starting Monday for the scheduled 3-day hearing to determine if Murdaugh will get a retrial.