Court appears to be running a little behind this morning.
We are back.
Two jurors have tested positive for COVID-19. One is symptomatic, with a cough and sore throat. Jesus.
Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian stands and wonders whether there should be a delay to ensure no more jurors get sick. He says he doesn't want a delay, saying it would be an "economic disaster" for the defense, which has paid for witnesses to appear this week.
Judge Newman says a doctor has recommended the jury be tested again Wednesday. He recommends the jurors - and everyone else - wear masks.
Prosecutor Creighton Waters rises and echoes Harpootlian is recommending that we delay trial for a few days before excusing any jurors, since more jurors could get sick. Neither side wants to run the risk of a mistrial because we have run out of jurors.
Judge Newman says he has already released the two COVID-positive jurors from service. We started with six alternates. Now we are down to three. Yikes alive.
Harpootlian is wearing a mask now while standing in court. He says he got COVID in December and it took him out for three weeks. He doesn't want it again.
Somehow the bomb threat last week was not the greatest existential threat to the Murdaugh trial.
With all due respect, perhaps the people coming from all over to watch this trial for fun should probably go ahead and get out of the courtroom.
Right on cue, Harpootlian requests a mask mandate and Waters asks for some social distancing in the courtroom.
Newman declines to order any social distancing, but he says he can require masks.