My personal musings on "Behind the Doors of Justice" and the latest Murdaugh developments: In a nutshell, I believe we need to wait to learn more.
I bought Miss Becky's book the minute it was announced and read it in one day, although I was surprised if she checked with the appropriate officials and legal counsel, that she was told she could write such a book, if for no other reason, because of the potential for what has happened. Every word and every description could be taken literally and out of context. Quotes in writing lack the intonation with which they were uttered, leaving them loose for interpretation. "Doors of Justice" is just Miss Becky's story -- the tone of the book is simple and a personal narritive not a journalistic endeavor. I think Miss Becky was naïve, has no experience with publishing, and was ill advised on this.
As I wrote sometime back, I enjoyed reading her account but as many have posted, IMHP, this was not a sophisticated tomb. It was very poorly edited, with all kinds of errors that you might expect in a first-timer's self published edition. I also question the expereince of the lawyer who they say reviewed the text prior to publication. All this makes me actually question whether some situations as she described them can be taken literally.
For example, I think looking back she may have thought she saw "he's guilty" in the eyes of some jurors at Moselle -- maybe she wrote that as a romantic notion, like a Southern novel, to think the jurors were so connected with each other they could communicate through their eyes -- but with Judge Newman, several bailiffs, law enforcement, and counsel present, I hardly think the jurors had the motivation or opportunity to be chatting about Moselle in the van or giving each other eye signals. It sounds like everyone there was walking around shell-shocked.
IMO, the defense may have a wisp of smoke, but they have certainly exaggerated "her book deal" as a motivator, which I think undermines the validity of some accusations -- BH and her co-author personally underwrote their self-publishing. There was *no* fat book deal from a big publisher as defense is stating.
BH has been described as a very spiritual person (in the long run, accountable to the "judge upstairs"), as well as warm, intelligent, organized, professional, experienced, giving 200% to her work -- and, IMHO, she certainly comes off that way, so these accusations seem very much out of character and to me, don't fit with her many years of experience in the court system.
EB says he's not charging, but what an outcome for the jurors who have to spend their own money for legal counsel because as good citizens, they gave their time and good conscience by serving. As far as JMc, is he an objective choice, being a DH buddy and former partner? I honestly don't know.
Last night on Court TV, Vinnie Politan had a West Coast trial attorney on his a panel, who stated she had often found that what is relayed by a person in an affidavit is not what they will say when under oath, on the record in court. Only time will tell. A court appearance with these jurors under oath will not come soon enough.
I am also wondering if there is any way "the machine" that's been operating in Lowcountry for several generations could be involved in this -- how would that work? Are there "actors" (DH's word) in this who need to pay back a debt or who would enjoy a little something through Zelle toward their rent?
[I hope I haven't broken any rules here -- tried to be very careful.]
Apologize for this missal -- just felt the need to unload! Have enjoyed the many substantive postings you all shared over the last few days. This is only my opinion.
