In a significant development, the South Carolina Supreme Court has agreed to review Alex Murdaugh's appeal, which centers around allegations of jury tampering during his 2021 double murder trial. Convicted in 2023, Murdaugh is currently serving two life sentences for the murders of his wife and son on their family hunting estate. The murders were reportedly carried out as part of a scheme to gain access to life insurance funds amidst a growing list of financial crimes.

Murdaugh, now 56 years old, has appealed his conviction on the basis that former Colleton County Court clerk, Becky Hill, who presided over his highly publicized trial, engaged in jury tampering. The state Supreme Court took up this case earlier this year, and retired Justice Jean Toal conducted hearings involving all 12 jurors who convicted Murdaugh. In January, Toal ruled that a retrial was not necessary, as only one of the 12 jurors believed that Hill influenced their verdict.

During her testimony, Juror Z, who was part of the original jury, revealed that Hill instructed jurors to closely observe Murdaugh and his actions. Juror Z stated that these comments influenced her decision to deliver a guilty verdict. Additionally, she testified that other jurors also exerted pressure on her to reach the same conclusion.

In her statement before ruling, Toal acknowledged that Hill was drawn to the allure of celebrity and made imprudent comments. However, she emphasized that the jurors took their responsibilities seriously, ultimately convicting Murdaugh.

Hill, who co-authored a book about the Murdaugh trial, has faced accusations of misconduct. She is currently facing 76 counts, including misuse of her official position to promote her book and financial gain. Notably, she admitted to plagiarizing a passage in her book.

In addition to his murder conviction, Murdaugh was sentenced to 27 years in November 2023 for his financial crimes. He pleaded guilty to 22 counts, including breach of trust, money laundering, forgery, and tax evasion, in exchange for the 27-year prison sentence. These charges were part of approximately 100 counts totaling up to $10 million.

Prior to this sentencing, Murdaugh had already pleaded guilty to 22 counts of financial fraud and money laundering in federal court. The intricate web of financial crimes and their connection to the murders has captivated public attention and raised questions about the integrity of legal proceedings.

As the South Carolina Supreme Court reviews Murdaugh's appeal, the focus remains on whether there was indeed jury tampering and whether it impacted the outcome of his double murder trial. The outcome of this appeal could potentially lead to a retrial and reshape the narrative surrounding one of South Carolina's most high-profile cases.