Posted on 02/13/2023 9:00:27 AM PST by Dr. Scarpetta
Two jurors in the double murder trial of disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh have COVID, leaving the future of the proceedings in some doubt as they enter their 16th day Monday.
Judge Clifton Newman decided keep the trial going in the packed Colleton County courtroom after the remaining 10 jurors and five alternates tested negative. They will be tested again on Wednesday. The clerk of court also tested positive for the virus.
Newman said jurors agreed to wear masks.
He rejected suggestions from both the defense and prosecutors to delay the trial until that second round of tests Wednesday, reduce the over 200 people allowed to attend the trial each day or order everyone in the courtroom to wear masks other than testifying witnesses and questioning attorneys.
At the moment, we are going to encourage everyone here to mask up for your own protection as well as the protection of these proceedings and each other,” Newman said.
Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murdering his wife, 52-year-old Maggie, and their 22-year-old son Paul near dog kennels at the family’s Colleton County home on June 7, 2021.
Monday marked the fourth week of the trial and the 13th day of testimony with prosecutors still presenting their case.
The trial started with six alternate jurors, but is now down to three.
“My only concern is we don’t create a train wreck with this jury,” said defense attorney Dick Harpootlian, who immediately began wearing a mask.
Prosecutor Creighton Waters said he agreed with the defense that delaying the trial for a few days to make sure COVID isn’t spreading is much better than losing so many jurors there has to be a mistrial and three weeks of work is gone.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
If a few days of the sniffles are sufficient to cause a crisis, could an outright acquittal happen if jurors die suddenly?
Have they just taught everyone everywhere how to get out of jury duty?
*Ping
Dont get me wrong, jury duty sucks but I don’t think I’d wanna get covid to get out of it. Lol!
Never underestimate yahoo news ability to scream the sky is falling to generate web hits. 😏
the evidence isn’t conclusive for guilt. He’s a thief, and an addict, but the evidence for murder is weak.
That defense attorney actually suggested clearing the gallery over covid concerns.......not sure what his angle was but I guarantee concerns over health and safety was the LAST thing he’s worried about.
He’d infect that whole courthouse if he thought it would get murdaugh off.
All the evidence hasn’t been presented yet. Today is DNA. That evidence could be very damning.
That’s because for two weeks the State introduced evidence of financial crimes (he’s guilty) and not murder, the crime for which he’s being charged.
“That defense attorney actually suggested clearing the gallery over covid concerns....”
***
He wanted a mask, but apparently he took it off.
It was important for the jury to hear the financial crimes (although I think they beat it to death).
Especially despicable was the money stolen from the housekeepers sons. Their mom dies on his property, he gets millions from his insurance from her death and he keeps it.......there’s a special place in hell for people like that.
Like I said, today is DNA so it goes directly to the murders.
Even if he beats the murders there’s all the financial crimes for him to deal with.
Alex Murdaugh’s steering wheel tested positive for blood, investigator says
https://www.foxnews.com/us/alex-murdaughs-steering-wheel-tested-positive-blood-investigator-says
Thanks. I’ll catch up later on Rekieta Law Youtube. They have fun discussions. He’s guilty imo on the financial stuff, but frankly I have no idea how the judge allowed it in.
And the defense explanation will be that it could’ve been deposited there anytime prior to the murders.
Blood on his clothing is more compelling to me.
Why are they even testing?
“Swab of suspected blood from Chevy Suburban steering wheel were tested for DNA. Swab showed DNA mixture from 2 individuals, likely Maggie and Alex Murdaugh.”
***
https://www.foxcarolina.com/page/watch-live-murdaugh-murder-trial-continues/
Does that prove he killed them? I don’t think so
“DNA testing on Alex’s shirt found profiles that are likely from Alex Murdaugh, Maggie Murdaugh, Nolan Tuten and an unidentified unrelated person.”
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