Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

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

Date: December 13, 2025
Host: Nancy Grace
Guests: Jennifer Wood (Fitz News), Regina Ward (SC defense attorney), Chris McDonough (Cold Case Foundation), Dr. Kendall Crowns (Chief Medical Examiner), Blanca Simpson (Murdaugh family housekeeper)

Episode Overview

This fast-moving, explosive episode dives deep into the dramatic developments surrounding Alex Murdaugh—the once-prominent South Carolina attorney convicted of murdering his wife and son. The stakes are raised as former Colleton County Clerk of Court, Becky Hill, pleads guilty to felonies related to her conduct during Murdaugh’s trial, raising new possibilities for a retrial. Nancy Grace and her expert panel dissect the implications, retrace key evidence, and probe intersecting scandals (including the Gloria Satterfield case). The panel contemplates whether a new trial is inevitable, what defense strategies could look like, and if justice will ultimately be served.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Becky Hill’s Guilty Plea and Its Impact on Murdaugh Retrial Odds

(00:58 – 11:30)

• Becky Hill, the now-former Colleton County Clerk of Court, has pleaded guilty to four felonies: misconduct in office (twice), obstruction of justice, and perjury.
• Her admitted conduct: Secretly sharing sealed bloody crime scene photos with a photographer during the original Murdaugh trial and lying about it under oath.
• Judge Heath Taylor sentenced her to three years of probation, noting only a lack of evidence for jury tampering spared her from a harsher sentence.
• Quote (Jennifer Gould, 05:00):
  “The woman whose distinctive trembling voice delivered the guilty verdict that sealed Alex Murdaugh’s fate... stood before a circuit judge admitting she secretly handed a photographer the sealed blood-soaked photos of his slaughtered wife and son, then lied about it under oath.”
• Hill also admitted to profiting off unauthorized bonuses and her self-published book on the case.
• According to Nancy and the panel, Hill’s admission provides “potent ammunition” for the Murdaugh defense as they appeal for a new trial in February before the South Carolina Supreme Court.
• Quote (Nancy Grace, 08:22):
  “The conviction immediately drew fire from Murdoch’s defense team... ‘if Becky admittedly committed perjury in the jury tampering hearing, what else did she lie about?’”
• The state’s AG “will fight tooth and nail” to hold that conviction.

2. Jury Influence and The 'Egg Lady' Juror

(11:31 – 22:20)

• Much of the defense’s appeal will hinge on whether Becky Hill improperly influenced the jury, or at minimum, created an “appearance of impropriety.”
• Key testimony centers on remarks Hill allegedly made to jurors—before Murdaugh testified—urging them “to watch his actions closely.”
• The so-called “Egg Lady” juror (so named for bringing eggs to court) testified that Hill’s comments did sway her guilty verdict:
  Quote (Juror, 17:55):
  “She made it seem like he was already guilty... Yes ma’am, that did affect my finding of guilty in this case.”
• Jennifer Wood and Nancy discuss the possibility that Hill’s desire for book sales may have influenced her conduct—but also note even the appearance of influence can be enough for a new trial.

3. The Kennel Video and its Destruction of Alex’s Alibi

(28:30 – 36:40)

• A massively incriminating piece of evidence: A video from Paul Murdaugh’s iPhone, secretly recorded at the kennels moments before the murders.
• Murdaugh, who claimed he wasn’t there, can be heard yelling at dogs in the background of the video, destroying his alibi.
  Quote (Jennifer Wood, 33:10):
  “That video is critical because it shattered his alibi. He said he was not down at those dog kennels. And when they got that phone open and saw that video, they realized he was lying.”
• Paul’s phone was finally unlocked using his birthday as a passcode after Secret Service efforts failed—a fact that baffled the experts.
• Should there be a retrial, the defense will likely focus on undermining the validity and admissibility of this video evidence.

4. Maggie’s iPhone and the Cell Phone Expert’s Testimony

(41:39 – 46:59)

• Part of Murdaugh’s appeal centers on the state’s expert witness, Paul McManigle, who testified about the backlight on Maggie’s iPhone and theorized how/when her phone was discarded.
• The defense claims McManigle’s methods—tossing a phone around a dark room to see if the backlight came on—were unscientific and might cast doubt on the prosecution timeline.
• The GPS and phone data were critical for placing Murdaugh near the phone’s final location and allegedly throwing it from his car as he created an alibi. The debate: Would the phone light up if tossed into grass, as alleged?
• Panel underscores: “If they (the defense) can get one juror to believe that the phone absolutely would have turned on... he wasn’t the one disposing of that phone.” (Jennifer Wood, 44:10)

5. The Gloria Satterfield Case: Financial Crimes, Mysterious Death

(48:00 – 59:29)

• Coverage expands to another key Murdaugh scandal: the death of housekeeper Gloria Satterfield.
• Nancy and guest Jennifer Wood outline the deadly fall, disputed injury circumstances, and Murdaugh’s subsequent embezzlement of $4 million in insurance settlement funds intended for Satterfield’s family.
• Medical Examiner Dr. Kendall Crowns weighs in on Satterfield’s injuries, finding them inconsistent with a simple slip-and-fall.
  Quote (Dr. Crowns, 53:13):
  “What she had was injuries to her head... a right-sided laceration with a right-sided subdural is often from a blow to the head and it’s not from a fall.”
• The case further cements Murdaugh’s image as a serial liar and financial predator, layering context for the murders.

6. Inside the Murdaugh Home: Blanca Simpson’s Testimony

(61:30 – 71:03, 73:00–78:45)

• Former housekeeper Blanca Simpson discusses personal observations about the Murdaughs, focusing on Maggie’s anxiety before the murders, uncertain finances, and reluctance to go to Moselle at Alex’s insistence.
• Maggie confided to Blanca about the $30 million lawsuit (re: the Mallory Beach boating accident), Alex’s aversion to seeing anyone cry, and her general unease.
• On the night of the murders, Blanca prepared dinner for the family; the next morning, Alex called, appearing jittery and “crying in small episodes” to tell her Maggie and Paul were dead.
• Memorable detail:
  Maggie’s pajamas were found laid out with underwear in an odd way—contrary to Maggie’s usual habits. Blanca is adamant this wasn’t Maggie’s doing.
• Later, Alex tried to get Blanca to confirm he wore a particular shirt the night of the murders—contradicted by video evidence—another potential lie in his “web of lies.”
  Quote (Jennifer Wood, 76:41):
  “It’s just another lie in his web of lies. I mean, why ask her to verify something that wasn’t true?”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nancy Grace (17:12):
  “Even the appearance of impropriety may be enough for Alex Murdaugh to get a new trial. Does it mean he’s innocent? H-E-double-L, N-O. But will that stop a new trial? In no way.”

• Judge Gene Toll (paraphrased, 21:23):
  “I find that the Clerk of Court is not completely credible as a witness... She was attracted by the siren call of celebrity. She wanted to write a book about the trial...”

• Blanca Simpson on Alex’s behavior (73:10):
  "He was pacing back and forth in the living room... kept going back and forth... Sit down, B, sit down... Do you remember what I was wearing?"

• Dr. Kendall Crowns on Satterfield injuries (53:13):
  “A right-sided laceration with a right-sided subdural... that’s often from a blow to the head. Not from a fall.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Becky Hill Pleads Guilty, Legal Fallout: 00:58 – 11:30
• Jury Influence: The ‘Egg Lady’ Testimony: 11:31 – 22:20
• The Kennel Video & Alibi Destruction: 28:30 – 36:40
• Maggie’s iPhone and Phone Expert’s Testimony: 41:39 – 46:59
• Gloria Satterfield Case: 48:00 – 59:29
• Blanca Simpson/Murdaugh House Testimony:
  • Finances & Maggie’s Anxieties: 61:30 – 68:45
  • Morning after the murders, suspect shirt: 73:00 – 78:45

Conclusions & Takeaways

• The Murdaugh case continues to evolve with new revelations, legal challenges, and the very real prospect of a retrial due to Becky Hill’s admitted misconduct.
• Key issues for an appeal will focus on the appearance (if not the reality) of jury influence, the chain of custody and significance of digital/video evidence, and the credibility (or lack thereof) of major witnesses.
• The defense’s retrial strategy is likely to center on undermining digital evidence, cell phone expertise, and the prosecution timeline.
• Murdaugh, even if granted a new trial, will remain incarcerated due to overwhelming financial crime convictions.
• The human element—heartrending details from housekeeper Blanca Simpson, testimony from medical and legal experts—brings the scope and impact of these crimes into sharp relief.
• Nancy Grace leaves listeners with the sense that, while justice moves slowly and is often convoluted, the search for truth is relentless.

Nancy Grace: “We wait as justice unfolds in the Alex Murdaugh double murder case.”