Judge Toal questions jurors about tampering allegations in Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Former Chief Justice Jean Toal individually questioned jurors Monday morning on whether they heard – or were swayed by – comments from the Colleton County Clerk of Court before delivering a guilty verdict in the weeks-long Alex Murdaugh double murder trial.

Alex Murdaugh and his defense team previously accused Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill of tampering with the jury and trying to persuade the outcome of the murder trial and called for a retrial. Monday’s hearing will determine if the once-prominent attorney will receive a new trial.

Jurors were held in the jury room and were brought into the courtroom individually. They were each asked similar questions. Their identities are being concealed.

The first juror questioned, Juror Z, told Judge Toal that she felt influenced by Hill. Judge Toal read back a written statement in which the juror claimed that Hill told jurors “not to be fooled” by the evidence presented by Mr. Murdaugh’s attorneys, which the juror claimed to understand meant Murdaugh would lie when he testified.

Juror Z also stated in written testimony that Hill told them to “watch him closely” immediately before Murdaugh testified, including “look at his actions” and “look at his movements,” which she also claimed to understand meant Murdaugh was guilty.

She confirmed that Hill’s actions ultimately led her to vote Murdaugh was guilty.

The hearing was temporarily halted after a bailiff alerted the court that jurors’ cell phones were not confiscated before the hearing began, and jurors may have been watching coverage and remarks online.

When questioning resumed, Toal asked each member if they had their cell phone out, watched online coverage, or knew of others watching.

Nearly all other jurors questioned said they did not hear comments about the case from Hill, that their decision was indeed theirs, and that it had no sway on the outcome; although one juror did admit he heard Hill make comments about watching Murdaugh’s body language before his testimony, but noted the comment did not sway his decision.

After the juror questioning, the jurors were released, and the court took a lunch break. Rebecca Hill is expected to be questioned when the hearing resumes at 1:15 p.m.

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Murdaugh and his defense team have accused Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill of tampering with the jury during last year’s six-week trial, swaying the jury to find Murdaugh guilty of killing his wife, Margaret, and youngest son, Paul at their family’s sprawling Colleton County property in June 2021.

In a hearing earlier this month, Judge Toal ruled Murdaugh’s defense team would have the burden of proving there was influence on the jury from Hill, which led them to vote against Murdaugh.

Attorney Ronnie Richter, who represents some of the jury members, told News that Judge Toal will be asking pointed questions to determine if Hill had interactions with jury members, and if so, did they truly impact the outcome of the jury’s guilty verdict.

“It’s team Murdaugh that has to show not only was it said, not only that it was wrong, but that it affected the outcome. And I think that is going to be a tough domino to fall. If the jurors stand by their verdicts and all affirm that it is what they intended to do, free of influence, then the result will not be overturned,” he said.

The hearing for a new murder trial is scheduled to last through Wednesday, but Richter said it could move along a lot quicker depending on juror responses.