The South Carolina Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from disgraced former attorney Alex Murdaugh, who is currently serving a life sentence without parole for the murders of his wife and son. The appeal centers on allegations of jury tampering during Murdaugh’s murder trial, where his defense claims the court clerk improperly influenced the jury.

Murdaugh, nearly three years into his sentence, is also appealing a 40-year federal prison sentence for financial crimes after pleading guilty to stealing nearly $11 million from his clients and law firm. His defense argues that the sentence, which is 10 years longer than federal guidelines recommend, is excessive and unconstitutional.

The jury tampering allegations are pivotal in Murdaugh’s state court appeal. Murdaugh’s lawyers contend that Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill improperly told jurors not to trust Murdaugh’s testimony, had private discussions with the jury foreperson, and pressured the jury to reach a quick verdict. Hill resigned amid an ethics investigation following these claims. Murdaugh’s defense argues that this misconduct influenced the jury’s decision, warranting a new trial.

Judge Jean Toal, a retired South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice assigned to the case, emphasized that overturning a verdict on the grounds of jury tampering requires proving that a juror changed their mind due to improper influence. However, Murdaugh’s defense cites a federal standard suggesting that the potential to influence jurors should be enough to overturn the conviction.

The South Carolina Supreme Court has given Murdaugh’s legal team 30 days to submit further arguments, but no date has been set for the hearing.

In federal court, Murdaugh is challenging his 40-year sentence for financial crimes, arguing it violates his right against cruel and unusual punishment. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, who rejected the 17 to 22-year range recommended by federal guidelines. Murdaugh’s defense compares his sentence to those given to high-profile defendants like crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried and Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, who received 25 and 11 years, respectively.

Murdaugh’s crimes involved stealing from vulnerable clients, including a quadriplegic man and children whose parents died in a car crash. Judge Gergel highlighted the severe breach of trust in sentencing Murdaugh, stating, “Those people placed all their problems and all their hopes with their lawyer.”

Federal prosecutors argue that Murdaugh waived his right to appeal by signing an agreement when he pleaded guilty, stating he would only appeal if prosecutors lied or his defense was inadequate. They also noted that it is rare for a court to overturn such a sentence, citing only one relevant case involving a life sentence for passing a $100 bad check.

The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, will hear Murdaugh’s appeal, with a three-judge panel randomly assigned to the case.

Murdaugh’s legal troubles began unraveling in 2021 when he was accused of murdering his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, at their home in Colleton County. Prosecutors argued that the murders were intended to gain sympathy and buy time as his financial schemes collapsed. Murdaugh, who testified in his defense, admitted to lying to police but denied committing the murders. Despite his claims, evidence, including a video recording of his voice at the crime scene minutes before the killings, played a critical role in his conviction.

Murdaugh’s family had long held significant influence in South Carolina’s legal system, with his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather serving as prosecutors in Hampton County for nearly nine decades. Murdaugh’s extensive legal battles, including these appeals, are expected to continue for years as he fights to overturn his convictions and reduce his sentences.

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