The defense attorney for Alex Murdaugh, Dick Harpootlian, claims that newly discovered evidence of jury tampering could potentially lead to the overturning of Murdaugh’s murder conviction. Harpootlian asserts that actions taken by Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill during the trial influenced the jury’s decision. He believes that if Hill had refrained from interfering with the jury process, a mistrial would have been the worst-case scenario instead of a guilty verdict. Murdaugh, convicted in March 2023 of killing his wife Maggie and son Paul at their estate in South Carolina, faces an uphill battle as his defense team seeks to rectify what they believe were unjust influences on the jurors.
One key piece of evidence presented by Harpootlian involves a juror known as the “egg lady,” who expressed doubts about a guilty verdict but was dismissed just before the jury reached its decision. This juror’s replacement reportedly felt pressured to vote guilty, as influenced by Hill and other jurors. Additionally, Hill is accused of attempting to sway the jury to benefit her own book sales, as she claimed during conversations that a guilty verdict would aid her project. These actions have led to charges against Hill for misconduct in office, obstruction of justice, and perjury, casting further doubts on the integrity of the trial.
An evidentiary hearing in 2024 confirmed suspicions about Hill’s credibility, with a retired chief justice ruling that she attempted to influence jury deliberations. Murdaugh’s legal team is currently appealing the conviction to the South Carolina Supreme Court, with a ruling anticipated by late 2025. Harpootlian expresses confidence that the appeal, based on judicial errors and jury tampering, has a substantial chance of success. Should the appeal falter, the defense has plans to pursue federal habeas petitions citing any undisclosed evidence that could have altered the trial’s outcome.
Further complicating the case are newly uncovered text messages between Murdaugh and Curtis “Eddie” Smith, his alleged drug dealer, which may have changed the defense’s strategy had they been introduced during the trial. The messages from just days before the murders reveal a timeline of communication that could shed light on Murdaugh’s activities and state of mind leading up to the tragic events. Harpootlian insists that these texts, which include inquiries about drugs, could have influenced whether Smith would have been called as a defense witness.
Harpootlian also voiced concerns regarding the lack of prosecution against Smith, highlighting inconsistencies in the justice system when dealing with significant offenders like him. He pointed out that while other individuals linked to similar crimes have faced justice, Smith remains uncharged despite being linked to a vast drug distribution network. Additionally, Harpootlian criticized South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson for his perceived conflicts of interest, especially regarding his relationship with Becky Hill.
If granted a new trial, Harpootlian indicates that the prosecution’s strategy would significantly change, as Murdaugh has already pleaded guilty to financial crimes. This would limit the prosecution’s opportunity to present financial evidence, shifting the focus to forensic evidence. Harpootlian believes that the existing forensic evidence strongly suggests Murdaugh’s innocence regarding the murders of Paul and Maggie, highlighting the complex layers of this high-profile case and its implications for justice.
