Jury Removed from Double Murder Trial of Alex Murdaugh Before Defense Closing Arguments Begin

A juror was removed from the double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh on Thursday morning and replaced with an alternate before the defense team started its closing arguments. Judge Clifton Newman said the juror had engaged in improper conversations outside the courtroom.

Prosecutor John Meadors argued that the case comes down to credibility and believability, again emphasizing the significance of Alex Murdaugh lying to investigators about where he was the night of the murders. He also pointed to a long family history of solicitors and said he found it offensive that the defense was claiming law enforcement was inconsistent or that evidence was fabricated.

The juror denied having discussed the case, but Judge Newman said two other people were interviewed about their contact with the juror and they “waffled on the nature and the extent of the contact.” He added that the juror ultimately spoke with at least three people about the case but not extensively, and that it involved “giving her opinion regarding evidence received.”

Meadors argued that the defense was trying to take the jury away from the facts and credibility of the case. The alternate juror was sworn in and the defense began its closing arguments. The jury is expected to begin deliberations soon.