Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman in South Carolina has recused himself from all future legal proceedings related to the murder trial of disgraced lawyer Murdaugh. In March, Murdaugh was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. The victims were found fatally shot on the family’s hunting estate in June 2021.
Murdaugh’s lawyers requested a new trial, alleging jury tampering by Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill. They claimed that Hill suggested Murdaugh’s guilt, encouraged jurors not to deliberate for a long time, and discussed the case before deliberations. Additionally, the defense sought to dismiss proceedings related to financial crimes committed by Murdaugh prior to the murders.
The South Carolina Supreme Court’s chief justice filed an order on Thursday stating that Judge Newman willingly recused himself from the murder trial. However, the justices denied the defense’s second request, ruling that Newman will continue to preside over Murdaugh’s state trial on financial crime charges, scheduled to begin on November 27.
