10 Things You Need to Know About Murdaugh’s Appearance in Court Today 

4. Dick Harpootlian tried his best to spin the narrative with buzzwords, but was unsuccessful.

• He mentioned the Egg Lady Juror, Becky’s son, wiretapping accusations and his lack of trust in SLED during his failed attempt to gain any ground with Justice Toal. 
• Justice Toal wasn’t having this. She spoke about how unusual this situation is considering the fact that usually issues with jurors are discovered much sooner. 
• Justice Toal also was CRYSTAL clear that Egg Lady was not dismissed because of reasons related to the “Facebook debacle”.

5. With such a little scope and no evidence so far to support jury tampering, Team Murdaugh has minimal chances of succeeding next week. 

However, I am fully expecting Dick’s team to attempt every shenanigan possible. He said he wanted to question a witness after Becky Hill next week, but didn’t say who. Justice Toal said she will decide on that next week.

And here are 5 things that David noticed:

1. Justice Toal sent a Media Order (below) on Wednesday, January 24th prohibiting technology… “Given the limited nature of the proceeding on January 26, 2024, there will be no camera coverage of the event. Members of the public, as well as members of the press, are free to attend provided that no cellphones, laptops or similar devices will be allowed in the courtroom.” 

However, as we entered the courthouse, the officer at the metal detectors said we could bring in devices, that we might be able to stream audio, and that was being “figured out” now.  It seemed many media agencies did not get the Media Order prohibiting technology because almost all of them had laptops, multiple cell phones, and Court TV even set up their video camera and LiveU streaming device just in case. Justice Toal mentioned an ‘off-the-record’ conversation with “some” media and that sparked a number of ears to perk up too.  

With the confusion, we are concerned about what happens with the hearing Monday, if members of certain media agencies violate the new “request” to not share the questions, answers or juror identification.  And if anyone does (or already has) what consequences exist for those agencies?

2. As we entered the courtroom with an 8th grader named Colton Gray (pictured below) who was job shadowing us today, we saw Scott Mangillo. Scott is Bland / Richter’s associate attorney and was with us at Stephen Smith’s exhumation. Scott’s presence today provided a warm comfort knowing that justice had some backup.

Alex shuffled his way into the courtroom, shackled, and shook hands with anyone that would touch him. He looks weaker and smaller than I remember from the federal sentencing in November.  But he still had a grin from ear to ear when he encountered any somewhat friendly faces. 

We sat closest to the front and directly behind the defense table.  Only one empty row between the double murderer, his team and a small cadre of law enforcement officers posted near Alex.  Eric Bland and Scott were up in the juror box close to Jay Bender, media liaison. They were posted near where Bland’s client, whom Justice Toal referred to as ‘Juror X’, would eventually sit. 

Given the recent assault on Judge Mary Kay Holthus in Nevada, I noted how most law enforcement agents were off the side of the defense table, with none between Alex and Justice Toal. And only one SORT team member sat between the now unshackled family-annihilator and the gallery.

3. And isn’t my wife, Mandy Matney, so incredibly amazing, brave, smart, talented and beautiful?!?! I have been so astoundingly proud of her over the past 5 years knowing her and being entrenched in this mess.  To sit right up front and show those ‘horribles’ in the media we’ve called out and those others that try to intimidate us and thwart justice… that we are not afraid…

4. Around 30 minutes into the hearing, Dick Harpootlian starts talking about how SLED may not be trusted as there is no “Chinese wall” separating SLED agents from the jury. Harpootlian rephrased this as an “ethical barrier” after verbalizing something to the effect of ‘maybe we don’t say that anymore’ but continued to use the phrase regardless. A Chinese wall or ethical wall is an information barrier protocol designed to prevent exchange of information or communication that could lead to conflicts of interest.  EB shared that the term was actually taught as ‘Chinese Wall’ in law school during the 80’s, but its use is frowned upon now for obvious reasons.

5. Media rules are still murky about next week and about what we can share before 9:30am Monday morning, but we’re going to share everything we can within the rules as explained to us and codified in judicial orders.  Eric Alan will be on site Monday and we’ll likely report remotely with new technology to stabilize the stream thanks to our AMAZING Premium Members!

Hopefully this means we will have an answer on what happens next before COJ releases (maybe a little late) on Tuesday. Stay Pesky!

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