Alex Murdaugh trial latest: Prosecution finds ‘significant disputes’ in convicted murderer’s jury tampering claims
Follow updates after convicted killer appears in court on financial fraud charges
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Prosecutors have responded to Alex Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial on the grounds of jury tampering allegations at his murder trial, stating that South Carolina investigators have found “significant factual disputes” with the claims.
The response filed on Friday by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson concedes a hearing may be needed to decide if the killer should get a new trial - but moved to dismiss the motion for a “procedural defect” in the filing.
It’s the state’s first response to the bombshell motion filed by Murdaugh’s attorneys Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian last week that accused Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill of pressuring jurors to return a guilty verdict.
An investigation was launched by the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which the AG claims is still ongoing, but has said has “revealed significant factual disputes as to claims in (Murdaugh’s) motion.”
On Thursday, a smiling Murdaugh appeared in court for the first time since he was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul, this time to face a string of financial fraud charges.
Judge Clifton Newman set a trial date for 27 November.
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Attorney Eric Bland says profession is hurt by Fleming’s crimes
“The profession we love has been stained,” said Mr Bland, who represents the Satterfield family.
“Mr Fleming knew exactly what he was doing. He is a plaintiff lawyer... it is impossible.”
Eric Bland, attorney for the Satterfields tells the judge that he will hear how good a guy Fleming is and notes that good guys sometimes commit crimes. He says the judge must sentence the crime as well as the man as the law profession has been stained by his action.
“I’ve been suing other lawyers for 30 years. Never seen a case where the lawyers took every single dollar. But that’s what Fleming and Murdaugh did. Every single dollar.”
Mr Bland goes over a number of other examples of violations and irregularities in how Fleming handled and filed the Satterfield case to show the depth of the conspiracy and the criminal behaviour.
He says Fleming and Murdaugh sat on the $4.3m settlements knowing that Gloria Satterfield’s son Brian, a vulnerable adult, was being put out on the street because his mom’s trailer was being foreclosed on.
Mr Bland calls it “blatant thievery”.
What happened to Gloria Satterfield?
Gloria Satterfield died in February 2018 following a mysterious trip and fall at the Murdaugh family home on their 1,700-acre Moselle estate in South Carolina.
Satterfield worked for the Murdaugh family for more than 20 years as their housekeeper.
She was found at the bottom of the steps leading into the family’s home one morning in February 2018.
She never resumed consciousness and died from her injuries three weeks later on 26 February.
At the time, Murdaugh claimed that she had tripped over the family’s dogs and hit her head, and her death was regarded as an accidental fall.
However, her death certificate cited her manner of death as “natural” and no autopsy was ever carried out.
Murdaugh claimed he would bring the wrongful death suit against himself on behalf of Satterfield’s sons.
In reality, the insurance company paid out $4m in a wrongful death settlement over Satterfield’s death. Murdaugh and Fleming then allegedly stole the money for themselves with the housekeeper’s sons not getting a dime.
After Mr Bland wraps up, Justin Bamberg addresses the court. He is the attorney for Pamela Pinckney, the mother of Hakeem Pinckney (see below) who was left quadriplegic after a crash, and niece Natasha Thomas who lost vision and suffered extensive injuries. Mrs Pinckney was also horribly injured and is still dealing with her own injuries.
Fleming was indicted and pleaded guilty in federal court for the Satterfield case but not for the Pinckney case due to the statute of limitations. There has been no punishment or accountability in the Pinckney case so far.
Mr Bamberg gives powerful testimony about the true long-lasting impact of Fleming’s crimes. Believes Fleming is regretful but not remorseful. He asks for stiff punishment for both the Satterfield and Pinckney crimes.
Prosecution asks for consecutive sentencing for Fleming
Prosecutor Creighton Waters wants consecutive sentencing for Fleming as independent accountability is warranted.
He argues that lawyers should not get “one-stop shopping” for victimising multiple clients over a decade, alluding to the federal sentencing.
For Satterfield crimes, highest sentence Fleming faces is up to 20 years on "fraud over $10K" charges. For Pinckney crimes, the longest sentence is up to 10 years. Waters reiterates he wants whatever sentences are given to run consecutively (one after the other).
— Drew Tripp (@DrewTripp) September 14, 2023
Defence speaks for Fleming ahead of sentencing
Defence attorney Debbie Barbier speaks for Fleming and disputes some of the details of Mr Waters brought up — specifically that her client did not know Murdaugh was stealing all of the money and that he has acknowledged his guilt.
Barbier continues to extoll Fleming's virtues, arguing the good far outweighs the bad in his lifetime. Family man, important leader in community, devoted friend, charitable and compassionate. Fleming is demonstrating what you do when you make a mistake. Step up. Own it.
— Drew Tripp (@DrewTripp) September 14, 2023
Court breaks for lunch
The court breaks for lunch.
Fleming will address the court and others will speak on his behalf when court resumes at 2.45pm