"Judge Denies Alex Murdaugh Retrial Amid Jury Tampering Revelations"

A judge in the Alex Murdaugh jury tampering hearing decided against granting a new trial for the convicted murderer, stating that the jury had delivered a verdict based on the facts of the case despite inappropriate comments made by the Colleton County Clerk of Court, Rebecca "Becky" Hill. The judge set a high standard for the defense to prove that the trial's outcome was swayed by the comments. Murdaugh's defense attorneys claimed a partial victory and announced plans to take the case to higher courts, while the S.C. Attorney General’s Office expressed a desire to move on. The hearing also revealed that the jurors had access to their cellphones and some watched the proceedings on TV while sequestered, and raised questions about Hill's motivations and interactions with the jury.