Five jurors have now been removed from the panel over the six-week trial and just one alternate remains as the defence prepared to make its closing argument and deliberations could begin. The other jurors have had to leave because of COVID-19 or other medical problems.Sign up to receive the daily top stories from the National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
“Though it does not appear the conversations were that extensive, it did involve the juror offering her opinion on evidence received up to that point in the trial,” Newman said.Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison if he is convicted of either murder count. Investigators said his 22-year-old son, Paul, was shot twice with a shotgun and his 52-year-old wife, Maggie, was shot four or five times with a rifle outside dog kennels on their Colleton County property on June 7, 2021.
The judge said he initially was told the juror spoke to two people and state agents interviewed those people. Then, the judge brought the people into his chambers and they waffled on what they initially said.“Intentionally or unintentionally, you’ve had some discussions with some folks not on the jury, which is going to require me to remove you,” Newman said.
Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian said he didn’t disagree with Newman’s decision but thinks having two State Law Enforcement Division agents tied to the case — one who testified and a second involved in the investigation — interview the people the juror talked to was “a continuum of a calamity of errors” that included how badly the defence thinks the murder probe has been handled.Newman’s exchange with the juror Thursday was pleasant.
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