SC - Paul Murdaugh & mom Margaret Found Shot To Death - Alex Murdaugh Accused - Islandton *Guilty* #42

[Jurisprudence]

When speaking to the media, the defense did a good job of slanting how the communication with the jurors was mostly by Ms. Hill so I understand why OP has questions about the Bailiff(s). Clearly, the evidence contradicts the defense allegations per the following statements from the Affidavits included with the Defense Motion.

[BBM/snipped by me]

Papers filed with the court by attorneys are sworn under oath. That is not an accurate statement imo

jmo

 

[Jurisprudence]

About those smoke breaks….

Maybe a juror asked about smoke breaks when they went to deliberate and
“in jest” she made a comment like no smoke breaks until a verdict….then that comment got twisted when Griffen & Co talked to the juror.

I’d be interested to hear what the other 8 jurors had to say about that.

Page 8

"When the jury began deliberations that evening, Ms. Hill told them that “this shouldn’t take us long,” and that if they deliberated past 11 p.m., they would be taken directly to a hotel even though none were prepared to stay overnight. Ex. A ¶ 9. Additionally, smokers on the jury asked to be allowed to take smoke breaks as they had previously been allowed to do during the six-week trial, but Ms. Hill told them they could not smoke until deliberations were complete. Id.; Aff. of Holli Miller re Juror No. 326 ¶ 7, Sep. 1, 2023 (attached as Exhibit J). There were six smokers onthejury. Ex.J¶7."

https://htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/state-v-murdaugh-motion-to-stay-64f749cc71b67.pdf

 

[Jurisprudence]

As a smoker I can tell you that most of us would prefer a smoke break every couple of hours but that most could tolerate it being delayed up to about 4 hours but after that I think most of us would be “smoking in the boys room” - or in my case the ladies room. Prohibiting them would be considered cruel & unusual punishment not only for the smokers but for the rest of the jurors who would have to deal with us in our highly agitated and anxious state in the deliberation room.

Imo, it was the cumulative demands. This shouldn't take long. You can't smoke until you reach a verdict. And, if you don't, you'll go to a hotel with nothing, no bags packed. This was not something the judge told them to be prepared for. She wanted a quick verdict and she used these tools and her power to exact it.

jmo

 

[Jurisprudence]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1699274213859762374

ETA: make that two affidavits!

That person's Tweet is silly. Just silly imo. These people were represented by counsel. They did not have a paralegal make statement for them and just sign off on it. See time stamp at link

#693

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

Quite a tangled web it seems to be now. Some argue this can also be a complication of a long, protracted, trial.

And if any of the allegations attributed to the Clerk are proven to be true…….. well this might unravel a tad? IMO.

Someone earlier on the thread had also asked about the role of the Bailiff. I also wonder what that role was and how it was functioning in light of the supposed actions of the Clerk?

And if this Clerk is elected rather than appointed, and exceeded their authority or did not act appropriately, then authorities should look at a proper recourse. Or perhaps seek removal? Although some might believe that would also signal possible improper actions and acknowledgment of procedural errors?

All around seems not many winners, aside from the defense and the convicted defendant. But I am surely no expert or lawyer.

Seems the effort to prosecute on the financial crimes needs to ramp up and quickly and solidly - which if I recall correctly the defendant has supposedly partly admitted too as part of testimony or other means?
MOO

 

[Gardenista]

In fact, the agency [SLED] has been investigating these allegations for several weeks, according to our sources … much to the chagrin of Murdaugh’s attorneys, who believe the agency cannot act independently in connection with any inquiry related to this trial.

This news outlet confirmed that prior to Labor Day, SLED agents were in Colleton County investigating these allegations – and were continuing their work there on Wednesday morning (September 6, 2023).

Harpootlian was livid at these reports, saying “this is exactly what we asked them not to do.”

“Is this a legitimate investigation or the beginning of a cover-up?” Harpootlian asked during a Wednesday evening interview with this media outlet. “Are they asking questions or are they intimidating people?”

SLED Investigating Murdaugh Jury Tampering Allegations - FITSNews

Murdaugh's lead attorney questions agency's independence, asks "if a coverup" is underway ...

www.fitsnews.com

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

That person's Tweet is silly. Just silly imo.

The tweet is perfectly accurate. The court is not going to care about what a paralegal says someone told them. Without a juror's testimony, the defense has nothing.

 

[Cindizzi]

The Colleton County case is back in the spotlight again. Recently, News 4 spoke with Murdaugh's brother John Marvin, who told her that he was shocked by these allegations of jury tampering by the Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill.

Marvin said he doesn't know if it's true or not, but if it is, it's terrible for anybody to have their rights violated for a fair trial, and of course, that includes his brother.

[…]
Murdaugh now wants an evidentiary hearing to decide whether his Sixth Amendment rights were violated and whether there are grounds for a new double murder trial.

The South Carolina Attorney General's office has nine more days to respond to the filing. News 4 reached out multiple times to Becky Hill. News 4 confirmed she has two lawyers, one of whom is SC Representative Justin Bamberg.

Murdaugh's brother John Marvin weighs in on motion for new trial amid jury tampering allegations

Alex Murdaugh's defense team were making their case on a national stage.It follows a motion filed Tuesday pushing to get former attorney and convicted murderer

abcnews4.com

 

[Jurisprudence]

I have to say, that's an uncharacteristically even-handed response from Eric Bland. He's usually not shy about tearing into AM and his attorneys.

My hunch, he knows and he hoping to wish it away. He's no dummy. He realizes the seriousness of this. Doesn't affect his civil case in the least so he should dial it down bc making it personal is not a good look.

jmo

 

[Jurisprudence]

To be "cleared" someone gave their approval to proceed. That someone, hopefully with a legal mind, certainly would question anything written that might cause a problem. The pot has been stirred,IMO

But, they obviously had no idea what she was (allegedly) doing behind the scenes. I see the book as doing nothing to help her here imo (but I do see it hurting her). This is not about the book's publication, except tangentially - unless in the book she says "I told the jurors not to believe a word he says and to watch his phony body language and hurry up to reach a quick verdict"? Or shouldn't take long, or whatever it was.

I doubt the book says this or I'd hope they would have brought it straight to the judge and referred her for internal investigation already. People seem very angry with me, as if I am somehow defending AM and the crimes he is accused of. This is not the case at all. I am defending the process - because it is imperative that we all do. If AM gets a new trial it's not his fault, it's not his attorneys' fault, it's not the jurors' fault, and it's not the fault of people who see the potentially very significant issue here. If he gets a new trial it will be because of the actions of this clerk, no one else.

jmo/moo

 

[Jurisprudence]

I think a point about other jurors opinions is being construed as getting rid of this whole problem. It doesn't matter if there are 3, or 2, or just one.

MOO

 

[Cindizzi]

https://x.com/theericbland/status/1699594669720490184?s=61&t=Vp-AZ81ShrhzLNqqCFHAgA

 

[sassyblue]

I've been a juror several times in a different state and I am a smoker. I have never been allowed a smoke break during deliberation although I was allowed to go home at the end of a long day of deliberation to smoke to my heart's content only to go back the next day for another day of deliberation.

 

[MTW2011]

I disagree. The emailed document was clearly to negotiate payment directly to the Colleton County Treasurer for the use of the Courthouse facilities.

We have no idea what the handwritten note describing exchanging the use of her likeness for a 4-second video clip, to accompany the usage of the first reference, even means.

We don't even know if this handwritten note was ever transmitted to anybody. It couldn't be emailed as such. There's insufficient evidence to confirm there was an agreement or a benefit.

This was an Exhibit to a Motion by very skilled attorneys -- it's rubbish, and they know better. JMO

In your opinion then, what do you think the very next sentence on that page / email / memorandum / whatever one would like to classify it as means?

“…The book cover for the book, “Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders” will be shown and audio will include Becky’s introduction as Clerk of Court for Colleton County and author of the book.”

If it wasn’t an “agreement” because it wasn’t agreed to by another party, does that sentence seem to imply there could be some sort of “benefit” by whomever said book is by? Otherwise, what is the purpose of mentioning the book and that the book is written by the clerk?

In this instance I don’t think it matters if an “agreement” was not reached, but what will matter if this was communicated from her to anyone. Whoever the author is, which to me it appears to be someone using the name and title of the clerk. i think the mere mention of a book (that is or was being sold) in exchange if the name or image of the same clerk/author is to be used in a film is a bit more than just “rubbish” but again that’s just MOO.

 

[Jurisprudence]

Quite a tangled web it seems to be now. Some argue this can also be a complication of a long, protracted, trial.

And if any of the allegations attributed to the Clerk are proven to be true…….. well this might unravel a tad? IMO.

Someone earlier on the thread had also asked about the role of the Bailiff. I also wonder what that role was and how it was functioning in light of the supposed actions of the Clerk?

And if this Clerk is elected rather than appointed, and exceeded their authority or did not act appropriately, then authorities should look at a proper recourse. Or perhaps seek removal? Although some might believe that would also signal possible improper actions and acknowledgment of procedural errors?

All around seems not many winners, aside from the defense and the convicted defendant. But I am surely no expert or lawyer.

Seems the effort to prosecute on the financial crimes needs to ramp up and quickly and solidly - which if I recall correctly the defendant has supposedly partly admitted too as part of testimony or other means?
MOO

Agree and the other problem they face that no one's talking about yet? A review of every conviction she was in charge of the jury for.

She may not have done anything to tamper with other juries but if she is found to have tampered with this one, every defendant will be filing a motion. This is a mess and could cost the county endless $. There's no way she's keeping this job imo. Maybe they'll let her resign or reassign her but even if innocent, I can't see them allowing her to be in charge of any jury again, at least not alone. They are on notice now and the potential risks are far too great. A federal investigation into her conduct has also been requested.

jmo

Murdaugh Defense US Attorney Letter in re: Hill

www.documentcloud.org

 

[Jurisprudence]

The tweet is nonsensical imo. Especially for an attorney.

jmo

 

[ch_13]

That person's Tweet is silly. Just silly imo. These people were represented by counsel. They did not have a paralegal make statement for them and just sign off on it. See time stamp at link

#693

Jurors #630 and #785 submitted affidavits.

Jurors #741 and #326 did not. Instead, a paralegal submitted affidavits attesting to what they said when AM's attorneys spoke with them.

I assume the tweet is referring to the latter two jurors.

 

[Gardenista]

I dragged out my Murdaugh spreadsheet and I'd made a note that 741 is the juror who stuffed tissues in her ears lol. Does anybody remember anything about that?

 

[Seattle1]

I dragged out my Murdaugh spreadsheet and I'd made a note that 741 is the juror who stuffed tissues in her ears lol. Does anybody remember anything about that?

Yes! But I thought we determined #741 was the only remaining juror after egg lady dismissed. Wasn't the tissue lady on the jury?

 

[Seattle1]

I dragged out my Murdaugh spreadsheet and I'd made a note that 741 is the juror who stuffed tissues in her ears lol. Does anybody remember anything about that?

Okay, confirming that Juror #741 was the sole remaining alternate.

Jurors polled:
193
254
326
530
544-f
572-f
578
589
630-f
729
826-f
864-f

The 'f' denotes what I believe was a female voice but this is MOO.