Alex Murdaugh.Photo:Grace Beahm Alford/The Post And Courier via AP
Grace Beahm Alford/The Post And Courier via AP
Alex Murdaughhas officially filed a motion for a new trial, eight months after he wasfound guiltyfor the 2021murdersof his wife and son.
The motion was filed in Colleton County, South Carolina, on Friday, multiple outlets reported, includingFox CarolinaandGreenville News.
The formal filing comes roughly two months after Murdaugh’s legal teamappealedthe disgraced South Carolina attorney’s convictions. Murdaugh, 55, received two life sentences in March for killing his wife,Maggie, 52, and son,Paul, 22.
Alex Murdaugh is taken to the Colleton County Courthouse for sentencing on March 3, 2023, in Walterboro, South Carolina.Joshua Boucher/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty
Joshua Boucher/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty
According to the motion, Hill “pressured the jurors to reach a quick verdict, telling them from the outset of their deliberations that it ‘shouldn’t take them long.”
“Ms. Hill did these things to secure for herself a book deal and media appearances that would not happen in the event of a mistrial,” the motion reads. “Ms. Hill betrayed her oath of office for money and fame.”
“The serious allegations in the petition filed today speak for themselves but we believe they explain a number of peculiarities in the six-week trial,” Murdaugh’s attorneys said in a statement to PEOPLE at the time. “Alex Murdaugh maintained and still maintains his innocence of the murder of Maggie and Paul and he believes the truth will ultimately prevail."
Hill denied allegations of jury tampering to theHampton County Guardianin September.
Alex Murdaugh.Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty
Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty
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The Post and Courierreported that Murdaugh’s attorneys filed another motion on Wednesday to remove Judge Clifton Newman from the case before he can rule over the motion for a new trial.
According tothe Associated Press, Murdaugh’s attorneys argued that Newman is no longer impartial to the facts of the case because he implied in several interviews after the sentencing that Murdaugh was guilty. They also argued that Newman is a material witness to Hill allegedly tampering with the jury.
“If the factfinder is a judge who has denounced Mr. Murdaugh on national television, the decision on the motion for a new trial will be unreviewable and forever suspect. The bell cannot be un-rung on appeal,” the attorneys claim, perThe Post and Courier.
source: people.com
