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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The court first heard from a fellow lawyer who recalled Ms Pinckney forgiving Fleming at his federal sentencing and that he responded: “Thank you, I don’t deserve it.”
He emphasises that Fleming is contrite.
The next speaker is a former paralegal of Fleming’s who emotionally recalls their time working together and their shared faith.
Cory's former paralegal and friend now speaks on his behalf. She does not discount the fact Cory made bad choices and hurt people, but asks Judge Newman to please take into consideration his good works, his faith, his friendship to many, and the potential he has to do good.
— Drew Tripp (@DrewTripp) September 14, 2023
More friends of Fleming speak out in his support ahead of the sentencing.
They describe him as a devoted father and loyal friend, a supporter of the YMCA, and always willing to help.
One longtime friend recalls his help when her son was robbed and assaulted. Judge Newman asks for how long the perpetrators were sentenced. She says it was 15-20 years and one is getting out soon.
A former tenant says Fleming went from being a landlord to being regarded as family and that she had asked to speak today rather than Fleming asking her to be there. He always made sure she had a roof over her head.
Fleming addresses court ahead of sentencing
Fleming addresses the court.
He notes how many years he spent practicing law in the very courtroom in Beaufort County in which he will now be sentenced. He says he knew the consequences of what he did and places blame on no one else.
Fleming says he has a profound disappointment in himself that he will carry the rest of his life.
He thanks the Satterfield and Pinckney families for their forgiveness and prayer and apologises to them again, repeating his federal court statements. He says they deserved better from him and that he failed them and feels empty from the betrayal.
Fleming also apologises to fellow lawyers for the harm he has caused to the profession, especially to his former partners for the pain and suffering he caused them.
He also apologises to the Beaufort community, and thanks them for standing up for him.
Addressing Judge Newman he says he knows he deserves punishment and will spend the rest of his life trying to apply the lessons he's learned.
Fleming concludes by noting his faith and trust in the legal system despite his betrayal of it.
Defence attorney Debbie Barbier concludes with her own remarks and asks Judge Newman for a concurrent 46-month sentence to run alongside the federal sentence from his guilty plea in that case.
Prosecution gives rebuttal
Prosecutor Creighton Waters offers the court a rebuttal arguing there should be significant accountability in this case.
He says Ms Barbier in her conclusion left out the fact that Fleming only changed his tune once he was caught red-handed in a lie.
Mr Waters adds that in the federal case, the government had essentially given Fleming a deal by allowing him to plead to only a single charge with a low sentence.
Judge Newman addresses court
Judge Newman says he admires and respects Judge Gergel from the federal case, but will not take into consideration anything from his court regarding Fleming’s sentencing.
The judge notes this is the second time in his 47-year legal career he has had to sentence a lawyer. The first was Alex Murdaugh earlier this year.
Judge Newman says this is “unprecedented, unimaginable” and that he cannot “imagine anyone going to a lawyer in South Carolina at this moment in time and having complete trust”.
Judge Newman says the character presentations on Fleming’s behalf today were inspiring.
He says it reminded him of a revival at his church and funerals he’s had to attend “particularly within the last year”. Judge Newman’s son passed away from a cardiac issue shortly before the Murdaugh trial.
Judge Newman says it's like we're here for a funeral for Fleming. It's as if he's no longer with us.
— Drew Tripp (@DrewTripp) September 14, 2023
Newman now referencing the Pangalangan case he tried in Colleton County two weeks ago, where Rita Pangalangan and Larry King left Cristina P. to die in a hot car.
Newman notes how everyone on Pangalangan's behalf said she was a great mother and would never do anything to hurt her. She was completely dependent on her mother.. Says Hakeem Pinckney and his mother's situation reminded him of that. He was totally dependent on her.
— Drew Tripp (@DrewTripp) September 14, 2023
Judge Newman says leniency and mercy aren't his responsibility and notes Fleming faces a total of 195 years in prison potentially.
Fleming is called up to the bench for sentencing.
“My heart bleeds for you because I have no doubt of the quality of human being you are ... but you must suffer the consequences of your actions.”
Fleming sentenced to 10 years in prison
Judge Newman hands down Fleming’s sentence.
For the Satterfield case: 5 years insurance fraud, 10 years breach of trust, 10 years money laundering, 5 years breach of trust, 5 years money laundering, 5 years computer crime.
They will run concurrently for a total of 10 years.
For the Pinckney case: 10 years, consecutive to the federal sentence he's currently serving (3 years, 10 months), concurrent to other sentences.
There will be a restitution hearing at a later date.
"My heart bleeds for you bc I have no doubt the quality of human being you are ... but you must suffer the consequences" ... CORY FLEMING SENTENCED TO A CONCURRENT 10 YEARS IN STATE PRISON PLUS 10 YEARS CONSECUTIVE TO THE SENTENCE HE'S SERVING NOW ... pic.twitter.com/NavVlsf3G6
— Liz Farrell (@elizfarrell) September 14, 2023
Murdaugh friend and alleged accomplice sentenced for financial fraud crimes
Former attorney Corey Fleming was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges that he conspired with his longtime friend Alex Murdaugh to steal millions of dollars from trusting clients.
Fleming previously pleaded guilty to the financial fraud charges that stem from Murdaugh’s alleged scheme to steal money from the estate of his dead housekeeper Gloria Satterfield. Satterfield died in a fall on the Murdaugh property in 2018.
He was also involved in stealing money from the family of Hakeem Pinckney – a man whose family Murdaugh represented after he was killed in a car crash in 2009.
While Fleming knew Murdaugh was asking him to do wrong, he previously said he didn’t realise the depth of his old friend’s depravity.
Alex Murdaugh’s friend and alleged accomplice sentenced on financial fraud charges
The 54-year-old former attorney is already serving four years in prison after pleading guilty to federal conspiracy charges