Alex Murdaugh’s lawyers seek to overturn conviction as new evidence 'discovered' in double-murder case
MCCORMICK COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA: Curiosity mounts if Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina attorney who received a double life sentence for murdering his wife and son on March 2, will get a new trial to overturn his conviction.
He has demanded a second trial based on "newly discovered evidence" that the jury never saw.
His lawyers Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, who earlier represented Murdaugh, will hold a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, September 5, where they will explain how they plan to get his conviction overturned, Daily Mail reported.
Is Buster Murdaugh supporting his father?
Alex Murdaugh’s son Buster, who spoke out last week, has said that he believes his father did not kill his mother Maggie and brother Paul who died from gunshot wounds at their family hunting lodge in June 2021.
“I think that I hold a very unique perspective that nobody else in that courtroom ever held. And I know the love that I have witnessed,” Buster told Fox Nation.
He added, “I don’t think it’s possible. I don’t think it’s possible that he could have done it.”
What is the new evidence Alex Murdaugh's lawyers are presenting?
Murdaugh’s lawyers have not shared any details about the new ‘evidence’ they want to present.
They have only said that it is “significant” and “relevant” to the case.
“We’re not going to disclose what it is until tomorrow,” Harpootlian told Live5News on Monday about the “discovered evidence."
“This press conference will be discussing a newly filed motion for a new trial based on after-discovered evidence,” Murdaugh’s legal team told Law&Crime. “We will distribute copies of the filing on Tuesday morning.”
Where are Alex Murdaugh's lawyers holding a press conference to reveal new evidence?
The press conference will take place at the South Carolina State House grounds near the Court of Appeals.
It is where Murdaugh’s attorneys filed their retrial request on Monday, just over six months after they lost his murder case.
A jury found Murdaugh guilty on March 2 for the fatal shootings of his Maggie and son Paul. He got two life sentences the day after his verdict.
He is said to have reportedly spent his time in prison enjoying his "celebrity" status as he answers fan mail, plays video games and watches television.
Murdaugh faces disciplinary action for violating prison rules
But Murdaugh has also allegedly annoyed prison officials with his behaviour and breaking inmate rules.
Officials in the McCormick Correctional Institution as per a report said Murdaugh had a disciplinary hearing on August 28 after he broke the prison’s policies on giving news interviews and using another inmate’s PIN number to make a call behind bars.
“He read information to Griffin, who recorded their exchange and provided it to the media,” prison officials said in a statement as per Fox News.
When prison guards found out, they immediately took away Murdaugh’s tablet and phone, but he stole another inmate’s PIN number to make more calls.
After his disciplinary hearing, the disbarred attorney lost his telephone and canteen privileges for 30 days.