Alex Murdaugh awaits appeal for new murder trial as he plays chess in prison

Disgraced former South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh is making headlines once again, this time for scoring a big legal win as the South Carolina Supreme Court agreed to hear his appeal for a new murder trial. While he awaits the hearing that could potentially overturn his double life sentence, Murdaugh is passing the time playing chess and working as a wardkeeper’s assistant in a state prison protective unit.

According to his defense attorney Jim Griffin, Murdaugh spends eight hours out of his cell each day, engaging in indoor activities like playing chess with fellow inmates. However, the rest of the time from Friday to Monday, he is confined to his cell with no freedom of movement.

Recent reports have suggested that Murdaugh is “living it up” in prison, with claims of him running a side gambling business. These claims were made by Aimee Zmroczek, the lawyer representing Murdaugh’s co-defendant, Curtis Eddie Smith, who alleged that Murdaugh has fully adapted to prison life and is running a gambling ring. However, both Griffin and the South Carolina Department of Corrections have denied these claims, stating that there is no record of such activities.

Despite the controversy surrounding Murdaugh’s time in prison, his lawyer remains focused on their appellant cases. The state Supreme Court agreed to hear Murdaugh’s state appeal for a new murder trial based on allegations of jury tampering by a court clerk. The hearing could potentially lead to an overturn of a judge’s previous decision that denied Murdaugh’s initial attempt at a re-trial.

As the legal battle continues, all eyes are on the state Supreme Court hearing, where Murdaugh’s defense team will have the opportunity to present their case. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for Murdaugh’s future and the ongoing legal saga surrounding his murder trial.