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Murdaugh’s attorneys appealed the murder convictions, saying the trial was tainted by the county clerk’s improper comments to jurors, prejudicial evidence and failures at trial. Hill later pleaded guilty to criminal charges connected to the case.
In contrast, prosecutors argued the convictions should stand. Murdaugh was convicted because the evidence against him was overwhelming and he was “obviously guilty,” they said. Prosecutors acknowledged the clerk’s comments were inappropriate but said they were minor in the grand scheme of the trial.
At a February hearing on the appeal, the five-member panel of justices appeared skeptical of the prosecution’s arguments.
The murder trial was the capstone to a remarkable fall from grace for the personal injury lawyer, whose father, grandfather and great-grandfather served as the local prosecutor consecutively from 1920 to 2006.
Murdaugh was a partner at a powerful law firm with his name on it. But that prominence belied underlying issues, and the killings of his wife and son were followed by accusations of misappropriated funds, his resignation, a bizarre alleged suicide-for-hire and insurance scam plot, a stint in rehab for drug addiction, dozens of financial crimes, his disbarment and, ultimately, the murder charges.
Former clerk influenced jury, court finds
Murdaugh’s appeal focused on allegedly inappropriate comments to jurors from Hill, who worked during Murdaugh’s trial and later wrote a tell-all book about it.
In January 2024, retired South Carolina Chief Justice Jean Toal questioned several jurors about what Hill said and its impact on their decision.
One juror, referred to as Juror Z, reported Hill said “watch his actions” and “watch him closely” when Murdaugh took the stand. The juror told the court those comments “made it seem like he was already guilty.” Further, the juror alleged Hill told the jury “not to be fooled” by the defense’s evidence, and said “this shouldn’t take us long” when deliberations began. This juror said she was influenced by the remarks.
Juror X reported Hill said the day of Murdaugh’s testimony was “important” or “epic,” and Juror P said Hill made a comment to “watch (Murdaugh’s) body language.” However, other jurors said they did not hear any comments, and all the jurors except Juror Z said Hill did not influence their decision.
For her part, Hill denied making most of these comments. She admitted she told the jurors Murdaugh’s testimony was a “big day” but likened her comments to a “pep talk” that did not indicate favor for one side or the other.
Toal determined those comments did not influence the jury’s verdict and denied Murdaugh’s request for a new trial. Still, Toal found Hill made improper comments to the jury, was not credible and was “attracted by the siren call of celebrity.”