South Carolina Supreme Court Seals Files in Alex Murdaugh Juror Controversy
Sep 12, 10:00 AM
The South Carolina Supreme Court has decided to keep under seal the files related to the removal of a juror during Alex Murdaugh’s double homicide trial. The court also temporarily sealed a motion filed by attorney Joe McCulloch, who is seeking to unseal these files. McCulloch represents Myra Crosby, a former juror dismissed just before the verdict was delivered in the high-profile case.
McCulloch argues that the public should have access to the records to understand what occurred "backstage" during the trial. “The public should be entitled to see what happened backstage at the first Murdaugh trial,” McCulloch said. The trial, which took place under intense scrutiny from January to March 2024, has seen ongoing legal battles regarding transparency.
Crosby, dubbed the “egg juror” after leaving the trial with a dozen eggs, was removed from the jury after an investigation by the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Sources suggest Crosby was leaning towards a “not guilty” verdict for Murdaugh, a stance that may have hung the jury. Crosby, however, maintains she was undecided and not entrenched in any particular position.
McCulloch and Crosby initially requested a limited review of the sealed documents by counsel, which was granted in November 2023. Now, they are seeking full public access to the files. While Murdaugh’s defense has agreed to the release, the prosecution, led by S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson, has declined, citing unspecified "ongoing matters."
Speculation has emerged regarding why the state is reluctant to release the documents. "Why won’t the state unseal?" one source asked. "Because it will prove they lied."
Crosby claims her removal was part of a broader conspiracy involving attorneys and others who allegedly doxxed her to force her off the jury. She believes her dismissal was orchestrated because she might have been the one juror to hold out for a "not guilty" verdict. Former Colleton County clerk of court Becky Hill, who stands accused of tampering with the Murdaugh jury, is also under investigation by SLED.
McCulloch believes that unsealing the records is crucial for public transparency. “There had been several days of proceedings backstage… just the judge, prosecution, defense lawyers, and a few witnesses, including Juror 785 [Crosby],” McCulloch explained. "Once I’d looked at those records, I believed the public should be entitled to see what happened backstage."
S.C. circuit court judge Clifton Newman removed Crosby after hearing evidence from SLED. The defense claims Hill may have influenced the removal through allegations that she invented a Facebook post to justify the dismissal. Crosby and her attorney continue to push for the release of the sealed records to bring these matters into the public eye.
With both sides now ordered to respond to the motion to unseal, all eyes remain on the South Carolina courts. The outcome of this motion could provide further clarity on the handling of Murdaugh’s trial and whether the controversial removal of Crosby was justified.
#AlexMurdaugh #MyraCrosby #JurorDismissal #SCourtSealsFiles #BeckyHill #MurdaughTrial #JoeMcCulloch
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McCulloch argues that the public should have access to the records to understand what occurred "backstage" during the trial. “The public should be entitled to see what happened backstage at the first Murdaugh trial,” McCulloch said. The trial, which took place under intense scrutiny from January to March 2024, has seen ongoing legal battles regarding transparency.
Crosby, dubbed the “egg juror” after leaving the trial with a dozen eggs, was removed from the jury after an investigation by the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Sources suggest Crosby was leaning towards a “not guilty” verdict for Murdaugh, a stance that may have hung the jury. Crosby, however, maintains she was undecided and not entrenched in any particular position.
McCulloch and Crosby initially requested a limited review of the sealed documents by counsel, which was granted in November 2023. Now, they are seeking full public access to the files. While Murdaugh’s defense has agreed to the release, the prosecution, led by S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson, has declined, citing unspecified "ongoing matters."
Speculation has emerged regarding why the state is reluctant to release the documents. "Why won’t the state unseal?" one source asked. "Because it will prove they lied."
Crosby claims her removal was part of a broader conspiracy involving attorneys and others who allegedly doxxed her to force her off the jury. She believes her dismissal was orchestrated because she might have been the one juror to hold out for a "not guilty" verdict. Former Colleton County clerk of court Becky Hill, who stands accused of tampering with the Murdaugh jury, is also under investigation by SLED.
McCulloch believes that unsealing the records is crucial for public transparency. “There had been several days of proceedings backstage… just the judge, prosecution, defense lawyers, and a few witnesses, including Juror 785 [Crosby],” McCulloch explained. "Once I’d looked at those records, I believed the public should be entitled to see what happened backstage."
S.C. circuit court judge Clifton Newman removed Crosby after hearing evidence from SLED. The defense claims Hill may have influenced the removal through allegations that she invented a Facebook post to justify the dismissal. Crosby and her attorney continue to push for the release of the sealed records to bring these matters into the public eye.
With both sides now ordered to respond to the motion to unseal, all eyes remain on the South Carolina courts. The outcome of this motion could provide further clarity on the handling of Murdaugh’s trial and whether the controversial removal of Crosby was justified.
#AlexMurdaugh #MyraCrosby #JurorDismissal #SCourtSealsFiles #BeckyHill #MurdaughTrial #JoeMcCulloch
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Trial of Karen Read, The Murder Of Maddie Soto, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, The Murder Of Sandra Birchmore, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com