Judge Removes Murdaugh Juror from Trial for ‘Improper’ Behavior Just Before Deliberations Begin

Click here to read the full article.

The high-profile case of Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina attorney charged with murder in the deaths of his wife and son almost two years ago, has been filled with twists that would rival a made-for-television movie.

On Thursday, it got one more.

On the day the defense was to begin arguing its case — one of the final stages before jury deliberations get underway — Judge Clifton Newman dismissed a juror for speaking to outside parties about the trial — including giving her opinion about evidence she’s seen, according to WTOC-TV.

The Savannah, Georgia-based station reported Newman announced in court that the unnamed juror was going to be removed from the panel.

“The juror has had contact or discussions concerning the case with at least three individuals,” Newman said in court Thursday.

“Though it does not appear that the conversation was that extensive,” the judge said, “it did involve the juror offering her opinion regarding evidence received up to that point in the trial that the conversation took place.

“In order to preserve the integrity of the process and the interests of both the state and the defense in a fair trial, that juror will be removed and replaced by another juror.”

Continue reading here.

Scroll down for comments and share your thoughts!