FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL: KILLER ATTORNEY ALEX MURDAUGH RETRIAL ODDS IMPROVE AS FORMER COLLETON COUNTY CLERK PLEADS GUILTY

Former Colleton County Clerk of Court Mary Rebecca “Becky” Hill pleads guilty to four charges — obstruction of justice and perjury for showing a reporter photographs that were sealed court exhibits and then lying about it. There are also two counts of misconduct in office for taking bonuses and promoting through her public office a book she wrote on the trial. Judge Heath Taylor sentenced Hill to three years of probation.

This as the South Carolina's Supreme Court granted Alex Murdaugh's request for a new trial in the murders of his wife and son. At the heart of the appeal and review is whether former South Carolina Chief Justice Jean Toal fairly denied Murdaugh a new murder trial. The Supreme Court could reverse or overturn that ruling – and could order the court to give him a new trial.

Claims that Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill, being involved in talking improperly to jurors. A hearing was held with Judge Jean Toal presiding one juror, identified as Juror Z, said Becky Hill told jurors to watch Murdaugh "closely" and "made it seem like he was already guilty." When asked if this influenced her vote to find Murdaugh guilty, the juror said “Yes, ma’am.” Toal said Becky Hill was not a credible witness and denied Murdaugh a new trial, but with Hill's plea, will Murdaugh be granted a new trial in February?

Joining Nancy Grace Today:

• Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson - Murdaugh's Former Housekeeper
• Regina Ward - Criminal Defense Attorney / Law Firm of Regina B. Ward; attorneyreginaward.com
• Caryn Stark - Psychologist, renowned TV and Radio trauma expert and consultant, www.carynstark.com, Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice
• Chris McDonough - Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective, Worked over 300 Homicides in 25 year career, & Host of YouTube channel, "The Interview Room," www.coldcasefoundation.org/chris-mcdonough
• Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University)
• Jennifer Wood - Director of research at FITSNews.com, Twitter: @IndyJenn

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