SC - Paul Murdaugh & mom Margaret Found Shot To Death - Alex Murdaugh Accused - Islandton *Guilty* #43

[Seattle1]

I use that word all the time for a Defense counsel in another case here. Hah It's me, Hi, I'm the problem it's me... truer words never spoken (or sung) for AM.

Exactly -- we heard I'm innocent of the murders but not a word or public appeal to please help find the real killers. No cry to contact LE or the Murdaugh Murders tip line (wait, guess DH didn't set that up because AM didn't fund it)... because well, I'm incarcerated, and can't participate.

 

[arielilane]

@TheEricBland

We didn't know our EB Merch would cause such a big stir in the courtroom at Alex Murdaugh’s sentencing hearing when his lawyer whined to Judge Newman about EB’s mugs, shirts, and bobbleheads sales, but we are okay with that because all net proceeds from sales go to important charitable causes: @pawmettolife, @wwp, & @ujafedny.Thank you Dick Harpootlian for driving more sales of EB’s merch. The designated charities are very grateful.

9:28 AM · Dec 1, 2023

 

[Seattle1]

Exactly -- we heard I'm innocent of the murders but not a word or public appeal to please help find the real killers. No cry to contact LE or the Murdaugh Murders tip line (wait, guess DH didn't set that up because AM didn't fund it)... because well, I'm incarcerated, and can't participate.

Also, I'm reminded of Judge Newman's closing statement to AM -- recalled seeing him at a conference where AM was poolside, living it up -- A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER THE MURDERS (emphasis mine, not Judge Newman's). Just as one does when your family has been murdered and the killer has not been captured.

 

[MTW2011]

I apologize but for someone who poked fun at Alex’s attorneys going on the media, this dude sure seems to do a heck of a lot of it himself. JMOO

https://twitter.com/x/status/1729659170679374241

https://twitter.com/x/status/1729480635700437234

https://twitter.com/x/status/1724198082521313780

Am I the only one who sees some hypocrisy? Le sigh

 

[MTW2011]

Yikes. FITSnews posted the Ethics Complaint against the Clerk filed earlier this summer.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1730630181352563167

Link to the Complaint pdf -
https://www.fitsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/securepdfs/2023/12/ethics-complaint-redacted.pdf

It alleges, in part, “it is well known; Hill allows guided tours of the Colleton County Courthouse during normal business hours for "donations" This information has been made on Facebook posts. In some of the posts, several cifizens are seen posing for pictures in the holding cell Murdaugh occupied during the trial. Hill tells attendees the donations are to replacethe front windows ofthe courthouse. It is also known a male tourist wrote a check to Colleton County in the amount of$100.00 as a donation for a tour. Hill later ordered a staff member to alter the check by striking through Colleton County and adding her name to the check. Hill then deposited the check into her personal bank account. The denotations are unaccounted for as there are no receipts being issued and it is unknown what financial institution and account the donations are being held in”.

It also includes the book signings she held for author Michael Dewitt inside the Courtroom, alleging that doing so interrupted normal courtroom business.

Forgetting the jury tampering, this doesn’t look great for her. JMOO.

 

[Seattle1]

I apologize but for someone who poked fun at Alex’s attorneys going on the media, this dude sure seems to do a heck of a lot of it himself. JMOO

https://twitter.com/x/status/1729659170679374241

https://twitter.com/x/status/1729480635700437234

https://twitter.com/x/status/1724198082521313780

Am I the only one who sees some hypocrisy? Le sigh

Here, I think the difference is EB has long embraced social media to promote his services whereas AM's attorneys tried calling him out during sentencing when THEY are guilty of doing the very same --albeit late to the game!

DH/JG were paid to attend CrimeCon, and not only was Jim Griffin reprimanded by the Court for tweeting during the trial, he now has a podcast! IMO, all three love hearing the sound of their own voices.

 

[legalmomma]

Inside The Escalating Becky Hill Investigation - FITSNews

Things are going from bad to worse for Colleton County's clerk of court ...

www.fitsnews.com

...Those images were allegedly taken by Melissa Gordon – whom she hired during the trial as the photographer for her book. Gordon’s husband, Neil Gordon – the publisher of Augusta Business Daily – is also the co-author of Hill’s book.

Hill “permitted Gordon unimpeded access to the (courthouse) and facilitated her in taking digital images that no other citizen was permitted to have.” Gordon was “allowed into the courthouse every day of the trial, even though it was admitted there was (a) limited amount of seating for spectators.”

Several of these photos were released in Hill’s book, along with other details which – according to the complaint – “could have an adverse effect in upholding the conviction of Murdaugh in the event of an appeal.”

The complaint further alleged that Hill oversaw “guided tours of the Colleton County Courthouse during normal business hours” in exchange for “donations.” She allegedly told participants in these guided tours that their donations would be used to “replace the front windows of the courthouse.” These funds are reportedly “unaccounted for as there are no receipts being issued and it is unknown what financial institution and account the donations are being held in.”

Not only that, in one instance Hill is accused of having “ordered a staff member” to strike out the name of Colleton County on at least one $100 check and “add (Hill’s) name” as the recipient of the donation. News of this allegedly doctored check was first referenced by Lori Murray on her popular TikTok page earlier this week.

While the first complaint against Hill raises some interesting issues – and plays directly into the allegations leveled by Murdaugh’s attorneys regarding jury tampering – sources familiar with the situation say the second report is the one that could really land her in hot water.

Well, along with the ongoing eavesdropping investigation that has ensnared her son … and could soon ensnare her, too.

 

[Seattle1]

Not only that, in one instance Hill is accused of having “ordered a staff member” to strike out the name of Colleton County on at least one $100 check and “add (Hill’s) name” as the recipient of the donation. News of this allegedly doctored check was first referenced by Lori Murray on her popular TikTok page earlier this week.

^^rsbm

I recall similar allegations were made earlier until a contract for access to film inside the courtroom by a court news program was produced where Hill had corrected the payee as the County. In the latest allegation, this was no contract and I'm sure pulling a copy of an altered, negotiated check by Joe Public could prove costly to Becky Hill!

Also, I recently read that the party that was allegedly recorded by Hill's son is married to a SC Judge. What a mess....

O/T -- I really like reporter/author Michael DeWitt and can't see him personally interrupting court business-- even if Becky Hill encouraged this. JMO

 

[MTW2011]

^^rsbm

I recall similar allegations were made earlier until a contract for access to film inside the courtroom by a court news program was produced where Hill had corrected the payee as the County. In the latest allegation, this was no contract and I'm sure pulling a copy of an altered, negotiated check by Joe Public could prove costly to Becky Hill!

Also, I recently read that the party that was allegedly recorded by Hill's son is married to a SC Judge. What a mess....

O/T -- I really like reporter/author Michael DeWitt and can't see him personally interrupting court business-- even if Becky Hill encouraged this. JMO

I like DeWitt as well, but just for the record, it wasn’t only a book signing (in my opinion). His own social media touted the event as a full day of storytelling followed by signing of books. It took place first on a Wednesday and a Friday, both days that the courthouse was open for routine business - which, again my opinion, is not book signings.

A cursory search of mine indicated that on the 14th there were at least 3 cases that were moved to different dates, I’m working to see if we can determine the reason why. But until then we at least know that there were two business days used for “storytelling and book signing”. JMOO though.

 

[LetsSolvIt]

Inside The Escalating Becky Hill Investigation - FITSNews

Things are going from bad to worse for Colleton County's clerk of court ...

www.fitsnews.com

Withholding judgement on Miss Becky for now — although she doesn’t seem capable of all this wrong doing — but find it interesting people are allowed to submit these filings against her, smearing her name and reputation everywhere, and the authors are afforded anonymity, their names are redacted.

Makes me wonder if the person complaining is actually the aggrieved, or whether they are a front for someone else with an agenda.

My musings — OMO.

 

[Cindizzi]

https://x.com/jmonkatthestate/status/1730614284009234819?s=61&t=Vp-AZ81ShrhzLNqqCFHAgA

https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article282551688.html

 

[MTW2011]

The personal “complaining” is certainly known to the Commission and will likely be in contact with them, or has been, and will have to answer questions based on the seriousness of their allegations.

While I agree that it is unfortunate that they can “hide” in the media, to the powers that be (and matter) in this situation their identity is certainly known to all parties I’m sure. JMOO tho

 

[Seattle1]

Makes me wonder if the person complaining is actually the aggrieved, or whether they are a front for someone else with an agenda.

Link to the Complaint pdf -
https://www.fitsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/securepdfs/2023/12/ethics-complaint-redacted.pdf

I could see this. It sure reads like Dh's paralegal to me. JMO.

 

[Seattle1]

Colleton County Courthouse doing tours after Murdaugh trial

The double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh had many around the world tuning in, and it put a spotlight on the small city of Walterboro.

www.live5news.com

4/27/23

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - The double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh had many around the world tuning in, and it put a spotlight on the small city of Walterboro. Now two months after the verdict, people are traveling from near and far to get a free tour of the Colleton County Courthouse.

It all started almost immediately after the trial for Alex Murdaugh ended in March, when people started gathering on the grounds of the Colleton County Courthouse to take photos.

Colleton County Courthouse staff invited them in and were happy to answer their questions. Before they knew it, bailiffs were conducting 10 tours a day.

[..]

The free tours keep visitors coming to Walterboro. The city’s director of tourism and downtown development, Scott Grooms, said some of the restaurants and shops have had continuous business because people want to see the downtown area.

[..]

The tours have not been advertised. Instead, people have been hearing about it through word of mouth and social media. But the court staff is happy to have visitors.

“We will take you on a tour,” Hill said. “If we have sweet tea, we will serve it up with lemon.”

Upstate library cancels 'Coffee & Crime' club event with Murdaugh trial clerk of court

The library got the word that Hill would be a no show Wednesday afternoon.

www.wyff4.com

9/27/23

Jennifer Bryan, with the library, said: "...we just found out today that Becky Hill, Clerk of Court for the Murdaugh trials, was advised by her lawyers to not do the author event next month, so we had to cancel the program."

Bryan said they are waiting to hear back from other authors to fill the spot.

 

[Seattle1]

I like DeWitt as well, but just for the record, it wasn’t only a book signing (in my opinion). His own social media touted the event as a full day of storytelling followed by signing of books. It took place first on a Wednesday and a Friday, both days that the courthouse was open for routine business - which, again my opinion, is not book signings.

A cursory search of mine indicated that on the 14th there were at least 3 cases that were moved to different dates, I’m working to see if we can determine the reason why. But until then we at least know that there were two business days used for “storytelling and book signing”. JMOO though.

In a tiny, rural county of roughly 18,500 people, I could see an invite extended to the local news Editor (of the 144-year-old The Hampton County Guardian), Journalist, and Author
to the Courthouse. It also seems that the long before the Courthouse became popular, local libraries were already home to crime book clubs and hosted similar events.

Inspired by Murdaugh crime saga, Gannett editor pens dark histories of Hampton County, Murdaugh dynasty

Michael M. DeWitt Jr. has authored Wicked Hampton County, which releases May 29, and is now completing Fall of the House of Murdaugh, to be released later this summer.

www.greenvilleonline.com

5/22/23

[..]

So, the Hampton author decided to write two books simultaneously with the same research effort. Fall of the House of Murdaugh will take the reader on an even deeper dive into the history of the Murdaugh dynasty, dating back four generations to the days of the fallen Confederacy and to historic courtrooms all over the 14th Circuit and Palmetto State.

Then the author moves the narrative forward to the shocking criminal accusations against Alex Murdaugh and the internationally followed, six-week double murder trial in Walterboro, S.C. DeWitt was inside the Colleton County Courthouse almost every day of that marathon trial and lends his unique insight and perspective from the courtroom to Fall of the House of Murdaugh.

DeWitt will hold a Wicked H.C. book launch event at the Hampton County Library on Friday, June 23, from 4 – 6 p.m., during the peak of the H.C. Watermelon Festival as part of his “I Love My Local Library” Book Tour. Other tour dates around South Carolina and the Lowcountry will be announced soon.
[..]

 

[LetsSolvIt]

In a tiny, rural county of roughly 18,500 people, I could see an invite extended to the local news Editor (of the 144-year-old The Hampton County Guardian), Journalist, and Author
to the Courthouse. It also seems that the long before the Courthouse became popular, local libraries were already home to crime book clubs and hosted similar events.

Inspired by Murdaugh crime saga, Gannett editor pens dark histories of Hampton County, Murdaugh dynasty

Michael M. DeWitt Jr. has authored Wicked Hampton County, which releases May 29, and is now completing Fall of the House of Murdaugh, to be released later this summer.

www.greenvilleonline.com

5/22/23

[..]

So, the Hampton author decided to write two books simultaneously with the same research effort. Fall of the House of Murdaugh will take the reader on an even deeper dive into the history of the Murdaugh dynasty, dating back four generations to the days of the fallen Confederacy and to historic courtrooms all over the 14th Circuit and Palmetto State.

Then the author moves the narrative forward to the shocking criminal accusations against Alex Murdaugh and the internationally followed, six-week double murder trial in Walterboro, S.C. DeWitt was inside the Colleton County Courthouse almost every day of that marathon trial and lends his unique insight and perspective from the courtroom to Fall of the House of Murdaugh.

DeWitt will hold a Wicked H.C. book launch event at the Hampton County Library on Friday, June 23, from 4 – 6 p.m., during the peak of the H.C. Watermelon Festival as part of his “I Love My Local Library” Book Tour. Other tour dates around South Carolina and the Lowcountry will be announced soon.
[..]

@Seattle1 : I hear you! This little town has never experienced so much attention and it seems all the natives were eager to extend the welcome mat; to show the world best they have to offer. And IMHO, it was okay for them to also enjoy the benefits of a presumably needed economic shot in the arm. I can only imagine tours, photo ops, and book signings were naively invited in a culture of “Southern Hospitality.” “We are so delighted you are visiting our town. What can we do for you?”

“County Clerk Complainer,” I don’t think it’s fair to judge the actions of well-meaning folks in a small, rural town through the lens and norms of up-tight, big city dwellers. In my experience most people in a place like Walterboro assume the best of people, they are proud of their community, they don’t have urban cynicism, they are generous, and friendly to a fault. They are more dependent on each other so it’s mostly a Golden Rule culture. Just my opinion.

 

[worm]

@Seattle1 : I hear you! This little town has never experienced so much attention and it seems all the natives were eager to extend the welcome mat; to show the world best they have to offer. And IMHO, it was okay for them to also enjoy the benefits of a presumably needed economic shot in the arm. I can only imagine tours, photo ops, and book signings were naively invited in a culture of “Southern Hospitality.” “We are so delighted you are visiting our town. What can we do for you?”

“County Clerk Complainer,” I don’t think it’s fair to judge the actions of well-meaning folks in a small, rural town through the lens and norms of up-tight, big city dwellers. In my experience most people in a place like Walterboro assume the best of people, they are proud of their community, they don’t have urban cynicism, they are generous, and friendly to a fault. Just my opinion.

Cha Ching. It all reminds me of shows like City Confidential where we hear 15 minutes of the “place to raise kids” or the welcome wagon followed by a brutally horrible story.

 

[Seattle1]

In my experience most people in a place like Walterboro assume the best of people, they are proud of their community, they don’t have urban cynicism, they are generous, and friendly to a fault. They are more dependent on each other so it’s mostly a Golden Rule culture. Just my opinion.

^^rsbm

And no better evidence of this community than the recent sentencing of AM and the the victim impact statements. I've never witnessed anything like it.

 

[Seattle1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1729834808195314073

 

[Seattle1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1727018931846836325