I wonder what Judge Newman is thinking about all this? He's got to be crushed by BH's abuse of power in his Courtroom. SMDH
I really dunno about BH having ill intentions here other than I think she was indeed enjoying being under the spotlight and receiving attention.
I say this based on two accounts: Although I've not read her book, but from both the reviews and sources I respect who did read the book, the book was not well done, seems more a story from her personal diary, and no denying it was her first attempt at a published work.
IMO, I see a book authored by a party that fits my personal impression of BH which is a small town, southern woman of the personality and demeanor suitable to serve as the public contact for clerical matters of the court including the jurors. The
'hostess with the mostest' is what comes to mind.
IMO, BH is definitely not a worldly women or one who's left her backyard much, given a passage in her book recounting her trip to NYC with the jurors described as her first time flying!
IMO, BH had no intent to influence the jurors verdict but I do think she may have repeated things to the jurors that she heard directly from the prosecution including to "watch AM's body language" and "don't be fooled."
I also don't agree that BH should have written a book as the sitting Clerk of the court. In fact, I really think she wrote the book as soon as she did because based on the content and her skills as a writer, I don't think it would have sold nor had BH or the book had the attention it received if she waited to publish her story after her term expired, and/or she left the Clerk's office.
As for Jeff Hill, the son of BH, there's evidence in his dismissal showing that long before BH wrote a book that resulted in the filing of ethic's complaints against BH, Jeff Hill already had prior incidents in his employment record which cause me to think that the moment his momma was under attack by the defense for witness tampering, and next followed by alleged ethics violations, I don't think Jeff hesitated whatsoever to use his position and skills to glean whatever data he could on the who, what, and why of the complaints.
I believe the majority of the jurors have already sworn that BH had no bearing on their decision to vote AM guilty, and I hope the Court accepts this as reason to let the verdict stand.
However, for any other defendant, I think this would likely suffice but because this is a Murdaugh, I think it's likely AM will receive a new trial. Of course, the verdict won't change with a new trial. MOO