"Alex Murdaugh's Legal Battle: Jury Tampering Hearing and Uphill Fight for New Trial"

Judge Jean H. Toal has set the legal standard for the upcoming jury tampering hearing in the Alex Murdaugh case, ruling that the hearing will move forward as scheduled and be conducted in open court with public and media access. The jurors will be questioned individually to determine if there was improper contact that influenced their verdict, and their privacy and identity will be protected. The focus of the hearing will be on interactions between the clerk of court, Rebecca Hill, and the jurors, with limitations on attacking Hill's character and credibility. The judge also outlined who will and will not be allowed to testify in the upcoming hearing.