Despite impartiality concerns from Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys, the State Law Enforcement Division is now investigating allegations of jury tampering in the double murder case that sent him to prison for life.
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The statement came one day after Murdaugh attorney Dick Harpootlian sent a letter asking that prosecutors not involve SLED or the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office in their conversations with jurors. The defense is concerned that SLED, the lead agency in the murder case, is too invested in Murdaugh’s convictions to objectively investigate allegations that could potentially undermine that outcome. SLED’s handling of the case was repeatedly called into question during the bruising, six-week trial before Murdaugh was ultimately found guilty of killing his wife and youngest son in in June 2021.
The letter to lead prosecutor Creighton Waters also asks that a lawyer sit in on any meetings with jurors, that the interviews be recorded and that they “occur in a building during normal waking hours.”
Harpootlian said the defense team had learned that two SLED agents were in Colleton County Sept. 6 questioning Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill’s staff. Harpootlian said Murdaugh’s team was concerned the agents weren’t “asking the right questions.”
“SLED shouldn’t be involved,” Harpootlian said. “Why is SLED doing this — the people who are so invested in the conviction?”
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Despite impartiality concerns from Alex Murdaugh's attorneys, the State Law Enforcement Division is now investigating allegations of jury tampering in the double-murder case that sent him to prison for life.
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