Did the South Carolina Supreme Court just tip its hand in Alex Murdaugh’s double murder appeal? During oral arguments, the justices came armed with pointed, highly specific questions — and most of the heat was directed at the prosecution. Criminal defense attorney and former felony prosecutor Eric Faddis breaks down what stood out and what it could signal.
Justice James immediately focused on the “egg juror” affidavit that Justice Toal excluded from the evidentiary hearing. Chief Justice Kittredge described the corroboration between jurors and independent witnesses regarding Becky Hill’s alleged conduct as “striking,” noting that Toal’s order never addressed claims Hill told jurors not to be fooled by Murdaugh. The defense maintains Toal applied the wrong legal standard — and based on today’s exchange, several justices appeared open to that argument.
Hill’s subsequent perjury conviction, which occurred after Toal’s ruling, loomed large over the discussion. Justice Few challenged the state’s characterization of Hill as “not completely credible,” pointing out the obvious tension in relying on a convicted perjurer. On evidentiary issues, Kittredge pushed back on the state’s use of Rule 404(b), emphasizing that the rule is designed to limit other-acts evidence, not automatically admit it. He suggested the trial court may have allowed sweeping financial crime testimony without meaningful boundaries.
Defense attorney Jim Griffin reiterated that the state’s case lacked direct evidence — no eyewitnesses, no murder weapons, no biological transfer linking Murdaugh to the killings. If the financial evidence is ultimately deemed improperly admitted, the prosecution’s case could narrow significantly. Faddis outlines three possible outcomes and explains why, regardless of the state court’s decision, a federal appeal may be next.
#AlexMurdaugh #MurdaughHearing #SupremeCourt #BeckyHillPerjury #EricFaddis #JusticeKittredge #CreightonWaters #404bEvidence #MurdaughCase #NewTrialMurdaugh
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