James Seidel 
State Requests 90 Day Extension in Alex Murdaugh Brief: In What Appears to be a Lost Cause
By James Seidel, CC News Network
Columbia, S.C. – Alex Murdaugh, the once-powerful attorney whose life imploded amid the gruesome murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, may soon face a second trial as a result of a 132-page defense brief that outlines critical flaws in the original proceedings. The South Carolina Supreme Court will be weighing allegations of jury tampering, prosecutorial misconduct, and unreliable forensic evidence. With shaky evidence and growing scrutiny over how the first trial was handled, legal experts suggest the State may be ill-prepared to mount a successful second prosecution.
Jury Tampering: The Key Argument for a New Trial
Central to Alex Murdaugh’s appeal is the explosive claim of jury tampering by then-Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill. According to the defense, Hill improperly influenced jurors by urging them to reach a swift guilty verdict. Statements from jurors suggest Hill made repeated comments warning them not to be “fooled” by Murdaugh’s defense and testimony.
The defense argues that Hill’s misconduct violated Alex Murdaugh’s Sixth Amendment right to a fair and impartial jury. Legal precedent is clear: if jury tampering is proven, the conviction cannot stand. Should the Court of Appeals side with Murdaugh, the conviction will likely be vacated, and the case remanded for a new trial—a devastating prospect for South Carolina prosecutors.
Myra Crosby, also known as Juror 785 or the “Egg Lady Juror” in the Alex Murdaugh trial, gained attention for her outspoken claims of jury tampering by former court clerk Becky Hill. Crosby alleges that Hill’s interference influenced the outcome of the trial, prompting her to come forward and share her story. In her best-selling book Because Enough is Enough, Crosby details her experience during the trial and how jurors’ opinions shifted dramatically after hearing extensive testimony about Murdaugh’s financial crimes. Her account has become a key element in Murdaugh’s defense appeal, further intensifying scrutiny of the initial proceedings.
Another juror has written an Alex Murdaugh book on the trial, but many insiders are saying that book is more of what the juror wanted, than the actual truth.
New Development: Extension Request from the Attorney General’s Office
In a significant twist, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson filed a request on January 9, 2025, seeking a 90-day extension to serve and file the State’s response to the defense brief. In a letter addressed to the Clerk of the South Carolina Supreme Court, Wilson’s Deputy Attorney General Donald Zelenka cited the “voluminous transcripts” and the demanding caseload of the prosecution team, including cases involving capital matters, as reasons for the extension.
The letter, stamped as received by the court, confirms that both sides are preparing for what could be a lengthy legal battle. The defense had previously agreed to an extension for their initial filing, and now the State appears to be taking a similar approach as they strategize their response.
With this new timeline in place, it’s clear that the State is bracing for a tough fight, knowing that any misstep could cost them a retrial—or worse, a complete acquittal.
Who Will the State Blame if Convictions Are Vacated?
Should Murdaugh secure a new trial, and we expect he will, expect intense scrutiny to fall on key players in the original proceedings, particularly Becky Hill. Hill’s alleged misconduct, coupled with questions about her motives—including her admitted desire to write a book about the trial—has already triggered widespread criticism.
SLED investigators are likely to revisit Hill’s actions during the trial and examine whether others in the judicial system played a role in influencing the jury. The anonymous email sent to Judge Newman, the alleged fake Facebook post targeting a juror, and Hill’s frequent visits to the jury room are all areas ripe for further investigation. Those involved in any potential tampering may soon find themselves under the microscope of South Carolina’s justice system.
Financial Crimes: Prejudicial Evidence or Relevant Motive?
One of the most controversial aspects of Murdaugh’s first trial was the heavy reliance on his financial crimes as evidence of motive. Prosecutors argued that Murdaugh killed his wife and son to divert attention from his financial misdeeds, painting him as a man desperate to maintain his reputation.
The defense brief contends that this evidence was far more prejudicial than probative. “The State’s case relied on character assassination, not hard evidence,” the brief argues. Without the financial crimes narrative, the prosecution’s case appears weak, lacking the direct evidence necessary to tie Alex Murdaugh to the murders.
Unreliable Forensic Evidence: Junk Science in the Courtroom?
Another key issue raised in the defense brief is the questionable forensic evidence presented by SLED. The prosecution’s reliance on tool mark analysis to link .300 Blackout shell casings found at the crime scene to a family-owned firearm was a pivotal point in the State’s case. However, the defense dismantled this testimony, citing studies that criticize tool mark analysis as inherently subjective and prone to high error rates.
Without the missing murder weapon, the defense argues, the State’s case rests on speculative science rather than definitive proof.
Constitutional Violations: Post-Miranda Silence
The defense also points to a significant constitutional violation: the State’s use of Murdaugh’s post-Miranda silence against him during cross-examination. Under the Fifth Amendment, defendants have the right to remain silent without that silence being used to imply guilt. Prosecutors questioned Murdaugh’s failure to immediately disclose his presence at the crime scene—a move the defense contends was improper and prejudicial.
The State’s Uphill Battle
If the Supreme Court vacates Murdaugh’s conviction, South Carolina will face an uphill battle in attempting to secure another guilty verdict. Without financial evidence dominating the retrial and with key forensic evidence under fire, the prosecution’s case appears significantly weakened.
Add in the CC News Network’s James Seidel wrote extensively how it was impossible for Alex Murdaugh to have been walking and calling Maggie Murdaugh’s phone, while hers was making movements and not walking.
In a retrial, the prosecution will have to rely primarily on:
- The kennel video placing Alex Murdaugh near the crime scene minutes before the murders.
- Inconsistent statements made by Murdaugh regarding his whereabouts.
- Circumstantial evidence tying him to the crime, despite the lack of murder weapons.
Legal experts suggest that, without the emotional weight of Murdaugh’s financial crimes, the jury may view the case differently, potentially leading to an acquittal.
Conclusion: Justice in the Balance
As the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office prepares its response, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With political ambitions potentially influencing prosecutorial decisions, including speculation that Alan Wilson may run for governor, the pressure to secure a second conviction is immense. However, with juror misconduct, unreliable forensic evidence, and potential constitutional violations at the forefront, the State’s chances of winning a retrial appear increasingly slim.
Whether justice is ultimately served—or whether Murdaugh walks free—remains to be seen. One thing is certain: this case is far from over, and the battle for truth and accountability continues.
Stay tuned with CC News Network for exclusive updates on this developing story.
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