A juror in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial was kicked off the case this morning after discussing evidence with people outside of court – when the stand erupted in laughter as she asked the judge if she could go get her eggs.
Judge Clifton Newman ordered the juror to dismiss her for discussing the trial with at least three people. He added that she had been a “grand juror” and that her misconduct had not been intentional.
“You’ve been a great juror in every way, consistently smiling and seemingly intently watching the case and performing well,” said Newman.
“I’m not suggesting you did anything wrong intentionally, but in order to preserve the integrity of the trial and be fair to all parties involved, we’re going to replace you with one of the other jurors.”
After the dismissal, Newman asked if there were any belongings that the bailiff should remove from the jury room. “I have a dozen eggs,” she told the judge.
Laughter filled the room as Newman quipped, “Do you want to leave the eggs or take the eggs?”
After the dismissal, Newman asked if there were any belongings that the bailiff should remove from the jury room. “I have a dozen eggs,” she told the judge. Laughter filled the room as Newman quipped, “Do you want to leave the eggs or take the eggs?”
Murdaugh arrives at the courthouse on Thursday with his coat draped over his cuffs. His defense puts down their closing arguments
Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian previously said he was not happy with the way the juror’s case was being investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Harpootlian said one of the investigators was a witness at the trial, while another was involved in work on Murdaugh’s murder case.
She said she did. Newman said to the bailiff, “From the jury room, can you get her a dozen eggs, her purse, and whatever else?” – a bottle of water.’
After she left, Newman smiled as he told the court, “I’ve heard a lot of things, but not a dozen eggs.”
Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian had previously said he was unhappy with the way the juror’s case was being investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Harpootlian said one of the investigators was a witness at the trial, while another was involved in work on Murdaugh’s murder case.
The defense attorney said, “SLED has again rendered poor judgment in this case. This is just a continuum of a disaster of errors.’
The jury rescheduling at the 11th hour comes as Murdaugh’s lawyers lay out their closing arguments this morning in a last-ditch effort to convince the jury that their client did not kill his wife and son.
Murdaugh, the 54-year-old scion of an influential legal family in an area west of Charleston, has been accused of fatally shooting his wife Maggie, 52, and youngest son, Paul, 22, in dog kennels on their estate on the night of June 7, 2021.
He faces 30 years to life in prison if found guilty.
Murdaugh’s lawyers will follow the latest comments from the state’s chief prosecutor, Creighton Waters, to the jury on Wednesday, who portrayed Murdaugh as a serial liar and argued that only he could have committed the murders.
Buster Murdaugh, his girlfriend Brooklynn White and Alex’s sister Lynn arrive at court on Thursday
Buster Murdaugh, his girlfriend Brooklynn White and Alex’s sister Lynn
A line of people outside the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro. Tasting enthusiasts have been lining up since the early hours
Attorney Jim Griffin arrives at court on Thursday
The case has attracted significant media attention given the family’s immense political power in and around Colleton County, where the trial is taking place. For decades until 2006, family members were the primary plaintiff in the area, and Murdaugh was a prominent personal injury attorney in the state.
Throughout the trial, Murdaugh’s attorneys have attempted to portray their client as a loving family man who, while struggling financially and suffering from a strong addiction to opioids that led him to lie and steal, never harmed his wife and child. would do.
They have also tried to put forward alternative theories about the murders, with Murdaugh testifying that he believed someone was upset about a fatal 2019 boating accident where Paul likely wanted revenge on his son.
Prosecutors have argued that Murdaugh committed the murders to garner sympathy and distract from a litany of financial crimes, including the theft of millions of dollars from his lawyers and clients – money used to fuel a years-long addiction to opioids and support an expensive lifestyle. .
In his closing argument, Waters repeatedly highlighted Murdaugh’s admission from the stands last week that he had lied about his whereabouts the night of the murders, telling detectives that he had not been in the dog kennels prior to the murders.
Murdaugh changed his account after the jury listened to audio evidence placing him at the crime scene minutes before it happened.
Murdaugh said he initially lied to investigators because of paranoia related to his drug use and mistrust of the police.
