COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) – Jaksa Agung South Carolina, Alan Wilson, merespons komentar-komentar yang dibuat selama konferensi pers pada hari Senin yang diadakan oleh para pengacara pembela untuk Alex Murdaugh.
Pengacara Dick Harpootlian dan Jim Griffin berbicara saat tim hukum Murdaugh terus berupaya terkait bandingnya setelah dia divonis bersalah atas pembunuhan 2023 dalam kasus pembunuhan istrinya dan anaknya.
Mahkamah Agung South Carolina membatalkan vonis tersebut minggu lalu dan memerintahkan pengadilan ulang.
Selama konferensi pers, pengacara Murdaugh mengumumkan bahwa mereka telah mengajukan gugatan perdata di pengadilan federal di Charleston terhadap mantan Panitera Pengadilan Colleton County, Rebecca “Becky” Hill.
Gugatan tersebut menuduh bahwa hak Murdaugh untuk mendapatkan persidangan yang adil dilanggar dan bahwa dia dirampas hak konstitusionalnya. Mahkamah Agung SC menyebut perilaku Hill sebagai dasar keputusan mereka untuk membatalkan vonis tersebut.
Harpootlian juga mengkritik pertimbangan AG Wilson untuk mencari hukuman mati, menyebutnya “bermotivasi politik”.
AG Wilson merespons dengan sebagai berikut:
“This case is being treated exactly as it should be, as a brand-new trial. Every legal option is on the table, and those discussions are happening as they should happen, with the dedicated prosecutors and staff within the Attorney General’s Office, not as part of some campaign apparatus.” “In 2022, the legal and practical realities surrounding the death penalty were very different. South Carolina had not carried out an execution in more than a decade. That has changed, and it is one of several factors that must now be considered as we move forward.” “Mr. Harpootlian himself acknowledged that the Becky Hill matter was previously referred to and reviewed by an independent prosecutor. Those issues were already evaluated outside of our office.” “What is disappointing is watching Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin spend their time trashing SLED and attacking South Carolina law enforcement instead of treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves.” “At the end of the day, our responsibility is simple: follow the law, protect the integrity of the process, and ensure justice is pursued fairly and professionally.”
Para pengacara mengatakan mereka tidak mengharapkan persidangan ulang akan terjadi tahun ini.
