South Carolina’s attorney general’s office has filed its first full rebuttal to Alex Murdaugh’s appeal, dismissing his claims that Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill influenced the jury with biased comments. In a 182-page response, prosecutors argue that the jury convicted Murdaugh based on overwhelming evidence, not due to Hill’s remarks about his testimony, which they deemed ‘foolish.’ The filing, submitted before the Aug. 8 deadline, sets the stage for Murdaugh’s potential bid for a new trial. The defense claims that Hill’s conduct during the trial may have compromised the jury’s impartiality, arguing that her comments could have swayed jurors toward their verdict. However, prosecutors maintain that the jury’s decision was based purely on the evidence presented. The defense, led by Dick Harpootlian, has previously stated that Hill’s actions may have cost Murdaugh a fair trial, with two jurors likely voting differently if not for her influence. The state’s response also addresses Murdaugh’s argument that the admission of financial crimes evidence should not have been part of the trial, noting that he forfeited the right to challenge that evidence by not appealing the trial court’s decision. The attorney general’s office initially requested additional time to prepare the filing, citing the vast quantity of evidence and the complexity of the case, including a 6,000-page trial transcript and hundreds of exhibits that needed review. Murdaugh, who has maintained his innocence since his 2023 convictions for the murders of his wife and son, is currently serving two life sentences in South Carolina prison. His legal team has 30 days to respond to the state’s brief before oral arguments are scheduled for the state Supreme Court, likely later this fall, with a final decision expected in the following spring. The case remains highly publicized, with ongoing media coverage and public interest, as the legal proceedings continue to unfold in the state’s justice system.