South Carolina Circuit Judge Clifton Newman will not be presiding over any of the proceedings related to Alex Murdaugh’s request for a new trial, according to a new court filing. The defense team for the convicted killer has repeatedly asked for Newman’s removal from all of Murdaugh’s future cases. Newman had previously sentenced Murdaugh to two life terms in prison for the murder of his wife, Maggie, and his older son, Paul.
The defense lawyers, Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian, filed a motion for a new trial based on allegations that court clerk Becky Hill had tampered with jurors in an attempt to influence their decision. Hill has denied these allegations. The defense team also argued that Newman should be removed from the case due to a conflict of interest, as he is a witness in matters that will be discussed during the hearing for a new trial. They further claimed that Newman had violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by publicly expressing his opinions about Murdaugh.
In response to these requests, the South Carolina Supreme Court ordered that Newman recuse himself and assigned a new judge to handle the post-trial motions related to the murder trial. However, the court denied Murdaugh’s request to remove Newman from his other pending cases, including one scheduled for November 27 in Beaufort County.
Currently, Murdaugh is facing over 100 charges for financial and narcotics crimes across several South Carolina counties. Additionally, he is facing 13 charges related to allegations that he embezzled more than $4 million in insurance payouts intended for the heirs of his late housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield.
It is important to note that Alex Murdaugh’s surviving son has recently spoken out in an exclusive interview with Fox Nation. Murdaugh’s case has garnered significant attention due to its complex nature and the involvement of prominent figures in the legal system.
In conclusion, the removal of Judge Clifton Newman from Alex Murdaugh’s bid for a new trial has been confirmed through a recent court filing. While Newman will no longer preside over this specific case, he will continue to handle Murdaugh’s other pending cases. The South Carolina Supreme Court has addressed the defense’s concerns and assigned a new judge to oversee the post-trial motions. As the legal proceedings continue, Murdaugh faces a multitude of charges for both violent and financial crimes, making this a high-profile case in South Carolina.
