Disgraced US ex-lawyer Alex Murdaugh's murder conviction overturned
Court overturns Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions and orders new trialJust now Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleBBCA South Carolina court has overturned the 2023 murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh, a disgraced...
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Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Court overturns Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions and orders new trialJust now Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleBBCA South Carolina court has overturned the 2023 murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh, a disgraced lawyer who was convicted of killing his wife and son. The state's supreme court on Wednesday ordered a new trial for Murdaugh over the June 2021 killings. Murdaugh has been in prison serving two life sentences for the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh and an additional 40 years for federal financial crimes.
Once a powerful lawyer, the 56-year-old and his legal troubles have captivated a global audience and inspired documentaries, podcasts and book deals. The trial itself was also televised. In a 5-0 ruling, the South Carolina Supreme Court said Murdaugh deserved a new trial because the local county clerk had unfairly biased a jury against him.
The Details
"Both the State and Murdaugh's defense skillfully presented their cases to the jury as the trial court deftly presided over this complicated and high-profile matter," the justices wrote. "However, their efforts were in vain because Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill placed her fingers on the scales of justice, thereby denying Murdaugh his right to a fair trial by an impartial jury. "The ruling cites a number of comments that Hill allegedly made to jurors during the trial.
One juror wrote in an affidavit that Hill made comments telling jurors to "watch closely", which she said influenced her to find Murdaugh guilty because she thought the clerk was implying he was. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
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The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.
