Alex Murdaugh juror back in spotlight as killer accuses clerk of court of tampering in trial – latest

Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh is demanding a new trial for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul claiming that Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill pressured jurors to return a guilty verdict against him.

The disgraced legal scion’s attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin filed the motion Tuesday alleging Ms Hill tampered with the jury because she was driven by fame and a desire to secure a book deal.

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.

The bombshell allegations come one week after the convicted killer lost some of his inmate privileges after he fed information to Fox Nation documentary “The Fall of the House of Murdaugh” without permission from officials.

In the documentary, his son Buster broke his silence as he insisted that he still believes his father is innocent but admitted that he may be a psychopath.

Key points

• Alex Murdaugh claims mystery ‘newly discovered evidence’ has come to light

• Killer’s attorneys to hold press conference as they file motion for new trial

• Buster Murdaugh breaks silence in first TV interview

• Alex Murdaugh loses prison privileges over new documentary

Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys double down on calls for new trial

16:00 , Rachel Sharp

Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys have doubled down on their calls for a new murder trial.

Speaking on NBC News’ Today show on Wednesday morning, Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin branded the conduct of Colleton County clerk of the court Rebecca Hill “highly improper and, frankly, illegal”.

Legal expert says accusations against Rebecca Hill are ‘damning’

15:00 , Rachel Sharp

FULL STORY: Will Alex Murdaugh get a retrial? His attorneys are ‘very optimistic'

14:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys announced Tuesday they have filed the petition based on “newly-discovered evidence” with the South Carolina Court of Appeals to grant a stay on Murdaugh’s appeal while the motion is heard for a new trial.

They’ve accused the court clerk at his double murder trial of telling jurors not to trust him when he testified in his own defense, having private conversations with the jury foreperson and pressuring jurors to come to a quick verdict.

The request filed by Murdaugh’s lawyers on Tuesday also accuses Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill of giving jury members business cards from reporters during the trial. After the verdict, she traveled to New York City with three of the jurors to do interviews.

Jim Griffin said that they are “very optimistic” that Murdaugh will be granted a new trial over the matter.

“I am very optimistic that ultimately we will get a new trial. How long that will take, I don’t know,” he said.

Read more:

Alex Murdaugh accuses ‘fame seeking’ court clerk of jury tampering at murder trial

Murdaugh agrees to plead guilty in theft case

12:00 , Andrea Cavallier

The former South Carolina attorney has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges he stole millions of dollars from clients.

If Murdaugh doesn’t change his mind before he appears in court on 21 September, it would mark the first time he admits guilt for any crime in court.

Prosecutors say he decided to kill his wife Maggie and son Paul because his millions of dollars of theft was about to be discovered and he was hoping their deaths would buy him sympathy and time to figure out a cover-up.

Read more:

Alex Murdaugh to plead guilty in theft case.

Attorneys for Mallory Beach and Stephen Smith families react to Murdaugh accusations

11:20 , Rachel Sharp

Attorneys Ronnie Richter and Eric Bland released a statement in response to the bombshell motion filed by Murdaugh’s attorneys.

“It is an extraordinary thing to accuse a Clerk of Court with jury tampering. The right to a fair and impartial jury is the bedrock of our judicial system,” the statement read.

“Time will tell whether there is any merit in this latest Murdaugh missive, or whether this is just another Murdaugh misdirection.

“In the meantime, it is important to keep in mind that the system has to work even for the worst of us – this is our only assurance that it will work for the rest of us.”

The attorneys represent the families of Mallory Beach – who was killed in a 2019 boat crash when Paul Murdaugh was drunk driving the boat – and Stephen Smith – who was found dead in a road in Hampton County in 2015.

WATCH: Murdaugh’s attorneys demand new trial over allegations of jury tampering

11:00 , Andrea Cavallier

South Carolina AG releases statement about Murdaugh motion for new trial

10:40 , Rachel Sharp

ICYMI: What happened at Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial?

09:00 , Andrea Cavallier

After six weeks of dramatic testimony at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, the jury took less than three hours to return a guilty verdict back in March. Alex Murdaugh was then sentenced to life in prison.

On 7 June 2021, Murdaugh’s wife Maggie and son Paul were found shot dead on the family’s 1,700-acre Moselle estate.

Jurors heard how Paul was shot twice with a 12-gauge shotgun while he stood in the feed room of the dog kennels on the affluent family’s 1,700-acre Moselle estate. The second shot to his head blew his brain almost entirely out of his skull.

After killing Paul, prosecutors said Murdaugh then grabbed a .300 Blackout semiautomatic rifle and opened fire on Maggie as she tried to flee from her husband.

Murdaugh confessed to lying about his alibi on the night of the murders but continued to claim his innocence of the killings.

Murdaugh has lost prison privileges over recorded phone call for documentary

07:00 , Andrea Cavallier

The disgraced legal scion lost some of his prison privileges after he fed information to a Fox Nation documentary titled “The Fall of the House of Murdaugh.”

During a jailhouse phone call on 10 June, Murdaugh’s lawyer Jim Griffin recorded him reading aloud entries from the journal he had kept during his double murder trial.

Prison policy prohibits inmates from talking to the media without permission because the agency “believes that victims of crime should not have to see or hear the person who victimized them or their family member on the news,” state prisons spokesperson Chrysti Shain said in a statement.

As a result, Murdaugh has had his phone privileges revoked and his prison tablet computer confiscated. He also lost his ability to buy items in the prison canteen for a month.

He will now have to get permission from prison officials to get another tablet, which can be used to make monitored phone calls, watch approved entertainment, read books or take video classes, the prison spokesperson said.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Alex Murdaugh loses prison privileges over recorded phone call for documentary

Who are Murdaugh’s attorneys Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian?

05:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian spoke to the media on Tuesday after filing a motion requesting a new trial for the convicted killer on the grounds of jury tampering.

But who are they?

Dick Harpootlian

Dick Harpootlian, 74, was one of Murdaugh’s lead defence attorneys in his murder trial.

Prior to representing Murdaugh, he has had a long career as a prosecutor.

He has prosecuted several high-profile cases including the corruption trial of former University of South Carolina President Jim Holderman and the murder trial of serial killer Donald “Pee Wee” Gaskins.

As well as being a prominent lawyer, Mr Harpootlian is also a state senator, representing South Carolina’s 20th district.

Jim Griffin

Jim Griffin, 60, was Murdaugh’s other lead defence attorneys in his murder trial.

Mr Griffin has also had a long career focused predominantly on working as defence attorney in white-collar crime cases.

As well as the murder case, both Mr Harpootlian and Mr Griffin are representing Murdaugh in his slew of other charges including his financial fraud trial.

The duo – who like Murdaugh attended University of South Carolina School of Law – was also previously hired to represent Paul in the boat crash case.

Buster Murdaugh breaks his silence

03:00 , Andrea Cavallier

The only surviving son of Alex Murdaugh has broken his silence to deny any involvement in the mysterious killing of gay teenager Stephen Smith – and insist that he still believes his father is innocent of the murders of his mother and brother.

He spoke out in his first TV interview since his family was propelled to national attention, for the new three-part FOX Nation documentary “The Fall of the House of Murdaugh”.

In the interview, Buster slammed rumours that he too could have been involved in a heinous murder – that of 19-year-old Smith in July 2015 – and offered an alibi for his whereabouts on the night the teenager was killed.

He also doubled down on his father’s innocence in the murders of Maggie and Paul, but did not deny that his father may be a psychopath.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Buster Murdaugh breaks silence on Stephen Smith death and insists father is innocent

South Carolina Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill wrote a tell-all about Murdaugh trial

01:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Ms Hill and co-author Neil R. Gordon published a tell-all book last month titled “Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders” that has revealed details from Alex Murdaugh’s high-profile trial.

The clerk is being accused by Murdaugh’s team of improperly influencing the jury and betraying her oath of office for money and fame.

They have filed a motion requesting a new trial on the grounds of jury tampering.

Ms Hill wrote about how she was caught off guard when the jury finished their deliberations after just three hours.

“This was unusual. Most murder trials take some time for the jury to reach a decision, but apparently the jurors were satisfied they would be returning to the courtroom shortly with a verdict,” she wrote. “I was caught a bit off guard.”

She also wrote about how she knew Murdaugh in a professional context for years.

“Regardless of guilt or innocence, for me, reconciling Alex’s diametrically opposite roles was troublesome but not something I would allow to interfere with my sworn duties as clerk,” she wrote in the book.

“Although I was conflicted about knowing the Murdaugh family, and about having so many people watching and listening to me as I read the verdict, I was mostly concerned about Alex being found innocent when I knew in my heart he was guilty.”

Alex Murdaugh has a new victim story. We should be paying attention

Wednesday 6 September 2023 00:00 , Andrea Cavallier

The convicted killer is once again claiming to be a victim in one of America’s most explosive murder cases.

While the 65-year-old disgraced legal dynasty heir sits behind bars for the brutal June 2021 slayings of his wife Maggie and son Paul - his defence team is demanding a new trial on the grounds of alleged jury tampering.

Murdaugh’s attorneys held a press conference on Tuesday to unveil damning allegations against Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill, who they claim pressured jurors to convict him.

The attorneys gave a glimpse of Murdaugh’s reaction to the evidence outlined in the motion, saying: “He was astonished, he was shaking, he was in disbelief.”

This is hardly the first time we’ve seen Murdaugh take on a victim role.

Megan Sheets reports.

Alex Murdaugh has a new victim story. We should be paying attention

Court clerk allegedly told juror ‘everything Murdaugh has said has been lies’

Tuesday 5 September 2023 23:00 , Andrea Cavallier

Following the prosecution’s closing argument in the Murdaugh trial, Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill allegedly asked juror 785 what her verdict would be, a motion filed on Tuesday reads.

The juror said she thought prosecutor Creighton Waters’ closing was good but that she had questions because the murder weapons have never been found.

Ms Hill allegedly told her “that everything Mr Murdaugh has said has been lies and that I should forget about the guns, they will never be seen again”.

The juror said that around 10 minutes later, she was dismissed from the jury. During her dismissal, she was accused of having spoken to at least three people about the case.

The motion claimed it was not the first time Ms Hill had approached the juror about her verdict.

She allegedly confronted the juror after claiming that she had seen a post in local Facebook group “Walterboro Word of Mouth” from juror 785’s former husband Tim Stone.

The post purportedly claimed that the juror was drinking with her ex-husband and, when she became drunk, she expressed her views on whether Murdaugh was innocent or guilty.

A follow-up post from an account called Timothy Stone apologised for the post saying that he was driven by “Satan”.

When Ms Hill confronted the juror about the posts, the juror said she hadn’t seen her ex-husband in 10 years, the motion states.

Ms Hill allegedly told the juror that SLED and Colleton County Sheriff’s Office personnel had gone to Mr Stone’s house and that he had confirmed he made the post.

She then allegedly asked juror 785 whether she was inclined to vote guilty or not guilty – to which she said she had not made up her mind.

Murdaugh’s attorneys claim that the original post was “fictitous” and that a download of Mr Stone’s Facebook shows he did not make either post.

Murdaugh accuses ‘fame seeking’ court clerk of jury tampering at his murder trial

Tuesday 5 September 2023 22:00 , Andrea Cavallier

The convicted killer has accused a South Carolina court clerk of tampering with the jury at his high-profile double murder trial – because she was driven by fame and a desire to secure a book deal.

His team filed a motion Tuesday requesting a new trial on the basis that Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill allegedly pressured jurors on the case to return a guilty verdict against him.

The motion also claims that Ms Hill had frequent private conversations with the jury foreperson – with the pair often disappearing to private rooms for five to 10 minutes at a time.

“During the trial, Ms Hill asked jurors for their opinions about Mr Murdaugh’s guilt or innocence,” the motion reads.

“Ms Hill pressured the jurors to reach a quick verdict, telling them from the outset of their deliberations that it ‘shouldn’t take them long.’”

Rachel Sharp reports.

Alex Murdaugh accuses ‘fame seeking’ court clerk of jury tampering at murder trial

Defence attorney says ‘there is no choice’ but for the court to ‘grant a new trial’ for Murdaugh

Tuesday 5 September 2023 21:29 , Andrea Cavallier

Alex Murdaugh’s defence attorney Jim Griffin said that they are “very optimistic” that Murdaugh will be granted a new trial but that it was a matter of time.

“I am very optimistic that ultimately we will get a new trial. How long that will take, I don’t know,” he said.

The motion claims Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill instructed jurors not to be “misled” by evidence presented by the defence and to not be “fooled by” Murdaugh’s testimony when he took the stand.

Mr Griffin said that if this sworn testimony is true, “which we have every reason to believe that it is,” then ‘there is no choice’ but for the court to ‘grant a new trial’ for Murdaugh.

They said the clerk’s actions violated “Murdaugh’s constitutional right to a fair and impartial jury” and that the judge must grant a new trial.

Attorneys want investigation into ‘violation’ of Alex Murdaugh’s civil rights

Tuesday 5 September 2023 20:22 , Andrea Cavallier

Murdaugh’s attorneys said they have sent a request to the South Carolina US Attorney to open a federal investigation into the alleged violation of Murdaugh’s civil rights.

The evidence in the motion “speaks for themselves,” Mr Harpootlian said.

He also said that they were calling for SLED – the agency which led the investigation into the murders of Maggie and Paul – to stand down on any investigation into the allegations against the clerk of court because the agency is heavily-invested in Murdaugh’s conviction.

When asked if they think the court clerk should be hit with criminal charges, Mr Harpootlian quickly dismissed the question. “No comment,” he fired back.

Murdaugh attorneys were met with a ‘zone of silence’ from jurors until clerk of court published tell-all book

Tuesday 5 September 2023 20:04 , Andrea Cavallier

Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin say they were met with a “zone of silence” from jurors after Alex Murdaugh’s guilty verdict.

But after Ms Hill published her tell-all book, jurors who were unhappy with what was written came forward.

Murdaugh’s attorneys admit they haven’t contacted court clerk

Tuesday 5 September 2023 19:57 , Andrea Cavallier

When asked in the press conference if they had contacted Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill about the allegations, Murdaugh’s attorneys admitted that they hadn’t.

Mr Griffin said: “Based on the information we received, we thought it would be pointless.”

Murdaugh attorneys ‘optimistic’ he’ll get new trial

Tuesday 5 September 2023 19:56 , Andrea Cavallier

Jim Griffin said that he is “optimistic” that Murdaugh will be granted a new trial.

“I am very optimistic that ultimately we will get a new trial. How long that will take, I don’t know,” he said.

Defence attorney Dick Harpootlian dismisses question if clerk of court should face criminal charges

Tuesday 5 September 2023 19:53 , Andrea Cavallier

Mr Harpootlian quickly dismissed the question by a reporter who asked if the clerk of court should be hit with criminal charges.

He then fired back: “No comment.”

Defense attorneys ‘focused’ on getting Murdaugh a new trial

Tuesday 5 September 2023 19:50 , Andrea Cavallier

Defense attorneys Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian held a presser on Tuesday and said they are focused on getting Alex Murdaugh a new trial.

Mr Harpootlian said that they had filed the petition based on “newly-discovered evidence” with the South Carolina Court of Appeals to grant a stay on Murdaugh’s appeal while the motion is heard for a new trial.

He said that he also sent a request to the South Carolina Attorney’s office calling for the opening of a federal investigation into the violation of Murdaugh’s civil rights.

The evidence in the motion “speaks for themselves,” he said.

Murdaugh’s defence attorneys give details on motion alleging court of clerk tampered with jury

Tuesday 5 September 2023 19:41 , Andrea Cavallier

Attorneys for Alex Murdaugh are giving more details on the motion they filed alleging a South Carolina clerk of court tampered with the jury in the disgraced legal scion’s murder trial.

What time is the press conference?

Tuesday 5 September 2023 18:30 , Andrea Cavallier

Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin are still set to hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon after filing a motion requesting a new trial for the convicted killer.

The motion alleges that South Carolina Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill tampered with the jury.

More details are expected to be released at the press conference today at 2.30pm local time on the grounds of the South Carolina State House near the Court of Appeals in Columbia.

Court clerk allegedly confronted dismissed ‘egg juror’ about questionable Facebook posts

Tuesday 5 September 2023 18:00 , Andrea Cavallier

A large portion of the 65-page motion filed on Tuesday centres around juror number 785 – who became infamous when she was dismissed from the jury just hours before deliberations began.

The woman was removed for allegedly discussing the case with at least three other people outside of the court. She then surprised the court when she asked to pick up her “dozen eggs” from the jury room before she left.

According to the motion, Ms Hill had gone to Judge Newman on 27 February – the day after Murdaugh testified – claiming that she had seen a post in local Facebook group “Walterboro Word of Mouth” from juror 785’s former husband Tim Stone.

The post purportedly claimed that the juror was drinking with her ex-husband and, when she became drunk, she expressed her views on whether Murdaugh was innocent or guilty.

A follow-up post from an account called Timothy Stone apologised for the post saying that he was driven by “Satan”.

When Ms Hill confronted the juror about the posts, the juror said she hadn’t seen her ex-husband in 10 years, the motion states.

Ms Hill allegedly told the juror that SLED and Colleton County Sheriff’s Office personnel had gone to Mr Stone’s house and that he had confirmed he made the post.

She then allegedly asked juror 785 whether she was inclined to vote guilty or not guilty – to which she said she had not made up her mind.

Murdaugh’s attorneys claim that the original post was “fictitous” and that a download of Mr Stone’s Facebook shows he did not make either post.

Who is Rebecca ‘Becky’ Hill, the clerk of court accused of jury tampering in the Murdaugh trial?

Tuesday 5 September 2023 17:20 , Andrea Cavallier

Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca ‘Becky’ Hill, who is in her first term, is being accused by Alex Murdaugh’s defence attorneys of tampering with the jury at his high-profile trial.

In a motion filed Tuesday, they claim that she “betrayed her oath of office for money and fame” and, off the back of her work on the case, secured a deal for a book titled “Behind the Doors of Justice”.

Hill was a state judicial court reporter for 12 years before being elected as Clerk of Court for Colleton County. Her book about Murdaugh murders was published in July just months after Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of killing his wife and son in June 2021.

“She 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 filed on Tuesday claims.

The motion also claims that Ms Hill had frequent private conversations with the jury foreperson – with the pair often disappearing to private rooms for five to 10 minutes at a time.

“During the trial, Ms Hill asked jurors for their opinions about Mr. Murdaugh’s guilt or innocence,” the motion reads.

“Ms Hill invented a story about a Facebook post to remove a juror she believed might not vote guilty.

“Ms Hill pressured the jurors to reach a quick verdict, telling them from the outset of their deliberations that it ‘shouldn’t take them long.’”

Just hours after they returned a guilty verdict, his attorneys allege Ms Hill flew with jurors to New York as some of the panellists waived their anonymity to appear on NBC’s Today show.

In conclusion, they claim that the court clerk’s actions violated “Murdaugh’s constitutional right to a fair and impartial jury”.

Alex Murdaugh accuses ‘fame seeking’ court clerk of jury tampering

Tuesday 5 September 2023 17:00 , Andrea Cavallier

The disgraced legal scion and convicted killer’s attorneys have accused a South Carolina court clerk of tampering with the jury because she was driven by fame and a desire to secure a book deal.

They filed a motion requesting a new trial on the basis that Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill allegedly pressured jurors on the case.

“During the trial, Ms Hill asked jurors for their opinions about Mr. Murdaugh’s guilt or innocence,” the motion reads.

“Ms Hill invented a story about a Facebook post to remove a juror she believed might not vote guilty.”

Murdaugh’s attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin will reveal details of the motion at a press conference on the grounds of the South Carolina State House near the Court of Appeals in Columbia at 2.30pm local time on Tuesday afternoon.

Read more:

Alex Murdaugh accuses ‘fame seeking’ court clerk of jury tampering at murder trial

Court clerk told jurors not to be ‘misled’ by evidence presented in Murdaugh’s defence, motion claims

Tuesday 5 September 2023 16:30 , Andrea Cavallier

A motion filed by Alex Murduagh’s defence attorneys on Tuesday alleged that Clerk of Court Rebecca “Becky” Hill tampered with the jury.

“Specifically, during trial....Rebecca Hill instructed jurors not to be ‘misled’ by evidence presented in Mr. Murdaugh’s defense. She told jurors not to be ‘fooled by’ Mr. Murdaugh’s testimony in his own defense.”

When Murdaugh took the stand in his own defence at his trial back in March, Hill allegedly instructed the jury to “watch him closely,” to “look at his actions” and to “look at his movements.”

One of the jurors claimed in an affidavit attached to the complaint that this led them to understand “that Murdaugh was guilty.”

“I understood (this) to mean that Mr. Murdaugh would lie when he testified,” juror No. 630 wrote.

That juror had also been the one who had previously complained about being pressured to deliver a guilty verdict.

“I had questions about Mr. Murdaugh’s guilt but voted guilty because I felt pressured by the other jurors,” the juror wrote in the affidavit.

Alex Murdaugh’s defence attorneys claim clerk of court tampered with the jury

Tuesday 5 September 2023 16:07 , Andrea Cavallier

Defence attorneys for Alex Murdaugh filed a motion Tuesday demanding a new trial on the basis that Colleton County clerk of court Rebecca “Becky” Hill tampered with the jury.

“During the trial, Ms Hill asked jurors for their opinions about Mr. Murdaugh’s guilt or innocence,” the motion reads.

“Ms Hill invented a story about a Facebook post to remove a juror she believed might not vote guilty.”

The bombshell motion was made in a 65-page filing in the S.C. Court of Appeals and in a letter to the US Attorney Adair Boroughs.

Murdaugh’s attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin allege Ms Hill tampered with the jury by advising them not to believe the former prominent attorney’s testimony and evidence presented by the defence.

“The clerk of court tampered with the jury by advising them not to believe Murdaugh’s testimony and other evidence presented by the defense, pressuring them to reach a quick guilty verdict, and even misrepresenting critical and material information to the trial judge in her campaign to remove a juror she believed to be favorable to the defense,” the filing said.

ICYMI: Alex Murdaugh jail call audio reveals awkward interaction with surviving son Buster

Tuesday 5 September 2023 14:55 , Rachel Sharp

A newly-released jailhouse phone call has offered a glimpse into the state of Alex Murdaugh’s relationship with his surviving son following his conviction for the murders of his wife and second son.

In the call dated 16 May, Murdaugh is heard ringing 26-year-old Buster Murdaugh from the maximum security prison in South Carolina where he will see out the rest of his days.

During the awkward and brief conversation, Murdaugh says he has been trying to call his son and tells him he “loves” him and is “proud” of him.

Read more:

New Alex Murdaugh jail call captures awkward interaction with surviving son Buster

WATCH: Moment Murdaugh was sentenced to life in jail

Tuesday 5 September 2023 14:35 , Rachel Sharp

Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian: Who are Murdaugh’s attorneys?

Tuesday 5 September 2023 14:15 , Rachel Sharp

On Tuesday, Murdaugh’s attorneys Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian will hold a press conference as they file a motion for a new trial. But who are they?

Dick Harpootlian

Dick Harpootlian, 74, was one of Murdaugh’s lead defence attorneys in his murder trial.

Prior to representing Murdaugh, he has had a long career as a prosecutor.

He has prosecuted several high-profile cases including the corruption trial of former University of South Carolina President Jim Holderman and the murder trial of serial killer Donald “Pee Wee” Gaskins.

As well as being a prominent lawyer, Mr Harpootlian is also a state senator, representing South Carolina’s 20th district.

Jim Griffin

Jim Griffin, 60, was Murdaugh’s other lead defence attorneys in his murder trial.

Mr Griffin has also had a long career focused predominantly on working as defence attorney in white-collar crime cases.

As well as the murder case, both Mr Harpootlian and Mr Griffin are representing Murdaugh in his slew of other charges including his financial fraud trial.

The duo – who like Murdaugh attended University of South Carolina School of Law – was also previously hired to represent Paul in the boat crash case.

ICYMI: Alex Murdaugh planned a birthday party for his son Paul from jail 10 months after killing him, book claims

Tuesday 5 September 2023 13:47 , Megan Sheets

Alex Murdaugh allegedly planned a birthday party for his son Paul just 10 months after the disgraced lawyer gunned him down on their property in South Carolina.

Details of the alleged celebration were described in a new book Tangled Vines: Power, Privilege, and the Murdaugh Family Murders by John Glatt.

Mr Glatt noted in the book that the party was just one of the many efforts Murdaugh made to try and save his reputation and convince the public he did not kill his son and wife Maggie.

Read on here.

WATCH: Craziest courthouse moments from the Alex Murdaugh trial

Tuesday 5 September 2023 13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Who was Paul Murdaugh?

Tuesday 5 September 2023 13:10 , Rachel Sharp

Paul Murdaugh, 22, was the younger son of Alex and Maggie Murdaugh who, at the time of his death, was facing trial over the death of Mallory Beach, 19.

On the night of 24 February 2019, Paul was allegedly drunk driving the Murdaugh family’s boat with several of his friends on board.

The boat crashed into some rocks and threw the passengers overboard.

Beach’s body washed up on shore around a week later.

In April 2019, Paul was charged with three felonies over Beach’s death including boating under the influence and was facing up to 25 years in prison.

Paul was shot twice with a shotgun – once in the chest and once in the shoulder.

Investigators in the boat crash case had no choice but to drop the charges when he died. Beach’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Murdaughs – which was finally settled in January 2023.

Who is Alex Murdaugh?

Tuesday 5 September 2023 23:22 , Andrea Cavallier

Alex Murdaugh was once a powerful figure in Hampton County, South Carolina, where his family has reigned over the local justice system for almost a century.

Three generations of the family – his father, grandfather and great-grandfather – all served as the solicitor in the 14th Judicial Circuit solicitor’s office.

His father Randy held the position until 2006 and was given the highest civilian award the Order of the Palmetto by the South Carolina governor in 2018 for his work. Randy died just three days after Maggie and Paul’s murders.

Due to the Murdaughs’ prominence in the judicial system in the lowcountry, the family held a reputation for being powerful and wielding their influence over matters.

Murdaugh continued with the family tradition working as an attorney in the local prosecutor’s office and also at his own law firm PMPED (the M standing for Murdaugh).

He was married to wife Maggie – whom he met at college - and the couple had two sons Buster and Paul.

After the murders of his wife and son, it transpired that Murdaugh had a two-decade-long opoiod addiction and he checked into rehab in September 2021.

Who was Maggie Murdaugh?

Tuesday 5 September 2023 12:50 , Rachel Sharp

Maggie was Alex Murdaugh’s wife and the mother of their two sons Buster and Paul.

The 52-year-old met her husband when they were both students at the University of South Carolina.

She was shot five times with an AR-15-style rifle on the night of 7 June 2021.

According to testimony from the Murdaugh housekeeper Blanca Simpson, Maggie was concerned with the family’s finances – and feared her husband was not being truthful with her about the extent of their situation.

Ms Simpson testified that Maggie had got upset and confided in her a few months before the murders, saying that the family was being sued for $30m in the boat crash lawsuit.

Maggie told her that she felt “Alex was not being truthful to her about the lawsuit... she said ‘he doesn’t tell me everything’,” testified Ms Simpson.

Maggie’s sister Marian Proctor testified that Murdaugh had an affair about 15 years ago – and Maggie found out about it.

While it was years ago and the couple worked through it, she said it “bothered” Maggie and she had brought it up again around the time of the murders.

She also revealed that the family knew about Murdaugh’s opioid abuse.

Who is Alex Murdaugh?

Tuesday 5 September 2023 12:30 , Rachel Sharp

Alex Murdaugh was once a powerful figure in Hampton County, South Carolina, where his family has reigned over the local justice system for almost a century.

Three generations of the family – his father, grandfather and great-grandfather – all served as the solicitor in the 14th Judicial Circuit solicitor’s office.

His father Randy held the position until 2006 and was given the highest civilian award the Order of the Palmetto by the South Carolina governor in 2018 for his work. Randy died just three days after Maggie and Paul’s murders.

Due to the Murdaughs’ prominence in the judicial system in the lowcountry, the family held a reputation for being powerful and wielding their influence over matters.

Murdaugh continued with the family tradition working as an attorney in the local prosecutor’s office and also at his own law firm PMPED (the M standing for Murdaugh).

He was married to wife Maggie – whom he met at college - and the couple had two sons Buster and Paul.

After the murders of his wife and son, it transpired that Murdaugh had a two-decade-long opoiod addiction and he checked into rehab in September 2021.

RECAP: Key revelations from Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial

Tuesday 5 September 2023 12:10 , Rachel Sharp

After six weeks of dramatic testimony at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, the jury took less than three hours to return a guilty verdict back in March. Alex Murdaugh was then sentenced to life in prison.

Here are the key revelations from the trial:

WATCH: Buster Murdaugh gives first TV interview since murders

Tuesday 5 September 2023 11:50 , Rachel Sharp

How Alex Murdaugh lost prison privileges over new documentary

Tuesday 5 September 2023 11:30 , Rachel Sharp

Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh has lost some of his prison privileges after he fed information to a Fox Nation documentary without the permission of South Carolina prison officials.

South Carolina Corrections Department officials said on Wednesday that, during a jailhouse phone call back on 10 June, Murdaugh’s lawyer Jim Griffin had recorded him reading aloud entries from the journal he had kept during his double murder trial.

Mr Griffin had then handed over the recordings to producers working on the new Fox Nation documentary about his high-profile case titled “The Fall of the House of Murdaugh”.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has more:

Alex Murdaugh loses prison privileges over recorded phone call for documentary

Buster Murdaugh breaks silence on Stephen Smith killing – and calls father Alex a ‘psychopath’

Tuesday 5 September 2023 11:10 , Rachel Sharp

Buster Murdaugh has broken his silence to deny any involvement in the mysterious killing of gay teenager Stephen Smith – and insist that he still believes his father is innocent of the murders of his mother and brother.

Alex Murdaugh’s only surviving son spoke out in his first TV interview since his family was propelled to national attention, for the new three-part FOX Nation documentary “The Fall of the House of Murdaugh”.

In the interview, Buster slammed rumours that he too could have been involved in a heinous murder – that of 19-year-old Smith in July 2015 – and offered an alibi for his whereabouts on the night the teenager was killed.

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Buster Murdaugh breaks silence on Stephen Smith death and insists father is innocent

What is the mystery new evidence?

Tuesday 5 September 2023 10:55 , Rachel Sharp

Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh claimed that mysterious “newly discovered evidence” paves the way for him to be granted a new trial.

For now, the details of this evidence remain a mystery – and will be unveiled at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

However, NewsNation’s Brian Entin has suggested that it could be linked to potential outside influence on jurors.

What time is the press conference?

Tuesday 5 September 2023 10:43 , Rachel Sharp

Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin – who are longtime friends of the killer and represented him at his high-profile murder trial – will hold a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

The briefing is scheduled to take place on the grounds of the South Carolina State House near the Court of Appeals in Columbia at 2.30pm local time.

At the briefing, the attorneys will reveal what they claim is “newly discovered evidence” and release the motion requesting a new trial.

FULL STORY: Alex Murdaugh claims mystery evidence will prove need for new murder trial

Tuesday 5 September 2023 10:21 , Rachel Sharp

Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh has claimed that mysterious “newly discovered evidence” will pave the way for him to be granted a new trial for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul.

Murdaugh’s attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin said in a statement that new evidence had come to light since his March conviction over the brutal 7 June 2021 slayings.

This evidence will form the basis of a new motion requesting a retrial in the high-profile case.

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Alex Murdaugh claims mystery evidence will prove need for new murder trial

Follow The Independent’s live blog

Tuesday 5 September 2023 10:19 , Rachel Sharp

Follow live as Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys hold a press conference to announce a motion for a new trial.