Clerk of Court Becky Hill’s bad behavior earns Alex Murdaugh a new murder trial

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Court TV) — The South Carolina Supreme Court announced its decision to award disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh a new trial, overturning his convictions for killing his wife and son.

Alex Murdaugh, 57, was sentenced to two life terms without parole after a jury convicted him of murder in the deaths of his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and his younger son, Paul Murdaugh. Alex Murdaugh admitted to multiple financial crimes and drug addiction during his trial, but denied hurting his family. He continued to maintain his innocence after his conviction and through the appellate process.

Rebecca “Becky” Hill served as the Colleton County Clerk of Court during Alex Murdaugh’s six-week trial. While prosecutors had hailed her as a key asset during the trial, she soon became the focus of an investigation after allegations she had improper communications with the jury. Hill pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and perjury for showing a reporter sealed court exhibits and lying about it. While she was not criminally charged for her improper comments to the jury, Alex Murdaugh’s defense had accused her of suggesting to the jurors that their client was guilty.

Court TV’s Trial Archives | Murdaugh Family Murders (SC v. Alex Murdaugh 2023)

“Both the State and Murdaugh’s defense skillfully presented their cases to the jury as the trial court deftly presented their cases to the jury as the trial court deftly presided over this complicated and high-profile matter,” the unanimous decision penned by the court read. “However, their efforts were in vain because Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill placed her fingers on the scales of justice, thereby denying Murdaugh his right to a fair trial by an impartial jury.”

Becky Hill, the former Colleton County Clerk of Court, testified at an evidentiary hearing on Jan. 29, 2024. (Court TV)

Juror “Z,” as they are identified in the court record, said that Hill told the jurors “not to be fooled” by evidence presented by Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys and suggested the panel “watch him closely” and “look at his actions.”

The justices also took issue with Hill’s involvement in having juror 785, known as the “Egg Lady,” who was dismissed by the jury after the clerk interrogated her about social media posts and whether she had been in contact with her ex-husband. In an affidavit attached to Alex Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial, the juror said that “Hill, knowing the juror’s fears about her ex-husband, informed her that law enforcement officers questioned the ex-husband about the posts, offered to reinstate restraining orders Juror 785 had against him, and speculated that the ‘Murdaughs probably got to’ the ex-husband when he called Juror 785 on the morning of the verdict.”

The justices acknowledged the impact of the decision to remand the case to a trial court. “Although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial due to Hill’s improper external influences on the jury and remand for a new trial.”

Alex Murdaugh’s appeal had also argued he should have a new trial because prosecutors improperly introduced evidence of his financial crimes alongside the murder case. While the justices neglected to address every claim, they did include language “to offer guidance on this thorny issue.”

The justices agreed with prosecutors and the trial court that evidence of the financial crimes was intrinsic to the state’s theory of motive, but said that the court should have “limited” the prosecution’s presentation, which went beyond the scope and introduced unnecessary and inflammatory details.

Alex Murdaugh was separately sentenced to 40 years in federal prison and 27 years in state prison for financial crimes. Those sentences have not been appealed.

https://www.courttv.com/news/clerk-of-court-becky-hills-bad-behavior-earns-alex-murdaugh-a-new-murder-trial/

Oklahoma mom nearly kills woman in DUI car crash — spends only 73 days behind bars with iPad and Chick-fil-A access

Key takeaways

• Lenient Sentence: Sara Polston, 43, served only 73 days of an 8-year prison sentence for a severe DUI injury, benefiting from political favoritism according to a grand jury report.
• Influential Connections: Her husband, Rob Polston, allegedly leveraged ties with Governor Kevin Stitt and local officials to secure special treatment, including cell changes, iPad access, and private visits.
• Victim Impact: The injured woman, Micaela Borrego, spent two months in a coma and continues to struggle with daily life tasks, highlighting the stark contrast between Polston’s privileges and the victim’s suffering.

A wealthy Oklahoma woman walked out of prison, having served just 73 days for severely injuring a woman. According to court documents, she received special treatment during her stay behind bars because of her high-level friends, including Governor Kevin Stitt.

Sara Polston, 43, maimed a woman in a DUI crash in 2023. After pleading guilty, she was sentenced to eight years in prison. In December 2025, she began serving her sentence at the Dr. Eddiebo Warrior Correctional Center.

Sara Polston Allegedly Exploited Her Husband’s Connections

Just after a few months, in February, she walked free with only a GPS monitor. This means she served just 2.5% of her total sentence. According to a grand jury report, no criminal wrongdoing was found, but Polston allegedly benefited from ‘political favoritism.’

According to reports, Polston’s husband, Rob, 52, is a tax lawyer with connections in some high places. He allegedly exploited his connection with Cleveland County’s then-sheriff Chris Amason and Kevin Stitt to provide preferential treatment for his wife in prison.

According to the jury report, Rob allegedly told his wife that he intentionally got her into a prison at maximum capacity so it would be easier to “justify bouncing you out earlier because they just don’t have the space.”

According to News4 KFOR, Rob and Sara had several calls when she was in prison. In one of the calls, he said that “our friend” was “not happy that the District Attorney did not change her position” about her sentencing. In another call, he seemingly referenced “Kevin.”

Rob is heard saying, “That’s why I’m concerned about how quickly I can get you out of there. I’m going to try not to beg Kevin or bother him. He’s got to check to see if he’s got it, if they [the Parole Board] serve, quote-unquote, at his pleasure.”

Polston Was Allowed To Switch Cells As She Wanted

Her short stay behind bars was reportedly marked by special treatment. According to reports, she was allowed to change cells and had access to an iPad, which allegedly did not follow normal jail procedure. In addition, she was permitted to visit her husband in a more comfortable setting, and Rob was reportedly allowed to bring Chick-fil-A for her.

While she was receiving those privileges, the woman she seriously injured, 20-year-old Micaela Borrego, was fighting for her life. Borrego spent two months in a coma, and even after regaining consciousness, she continues to struggle.

Three years after Polston nearly killed her in a drunken crash, Borrego is still relearning the basic tasks of daily life.

Meanwhile, Kevin Stitt denied helping with Polston’s lenient punishment. In a statement on X, he said, “Let me be clear: no governor can unilaterally end someone’s prison sentence, and I didn’t do so in the Polston case. Prior to changes in the law we made during this legislative session, the Department of Corrections could transfer someone convicted of DUI to an ankle monitor. That’s what happened in this case and all similar cases.”

Oklahoma mom nearly kills woman in DUI car crash — spends only 73 days behind bars with iPad and Chick-fil-A access

Update on Appeal Process

Motion for New Trial

Brief in Support of Motion for New Trial

https://fromsmash.com/Chloe-Driver-Appeal-0526

SENTENCING: UT v. Kouri Richins | Grief Author Murder Trial

5/13/2026 @ 11:30 AM

Kouri Richins is now facing sentencing after being convicted in connection with the death of her husband, Eric Richins. Prosecutors argued she fatally poisoned him by lacing his drink with fentanyl, while the defense maintained her innocence throughout the trial. The Utah mother of three could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or potentially the death penalty, depending on the court’s final decision. Her sentencing will determine whether she spends the rest of her life behind bars for the killing.

Court TV

https://www.youtube.com/live/mT-pKSjf2uw?si=B6Rq3HXD_5paMRqM

Law & Crime

https://www.youtube.com/live/ODupY4CtwM0?si=CtrHEZcUAN_MBsAG

State Sentencing Memorandum

https://fromsmash.com/Richins-State-Sentencing-0526

‘King Thief of Atlanta’ pleads guilty to breaking into car with Beyoncé’s unreleased music

ATLANTA (Court TV) — A Georgia man was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to charges that he broke into a car and stole items from inside, including unreleased music from Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

Kelvin Evans, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of entering an automobile and one count of criminal trespass as jury selection continued for a second day for what would have been his trial. Under an agreement he reached with prosecutors, the two counts would merge into one.

Prosecutors said that on July 7, 2025, Evans’ niece was driving a rented vehicle when she got a call from her uncle saying his bike was dead and asking for a ride. The niece further agreed to loan Evans the vehicle, a red Hyundai sedan.

That Hyundai was visible on surveillance video shown in court, pulling into a parking garage and parking next to a 2024 Jeep Wagoneer, which had been rented to members of Beyoncé’s team. The video shows Evans getting out of the Hyundai and walking to the back of the Jeep, where he was looking inside the trunk. After hiding when another car drives by, Evans is visible taking suitcases out of the Wagoneer and putting them into the Hyundai.

The owners of the items, members of Beyoncé’s choreography team, called police to report the items stolen and said that the hard drives contained unreleased music. Prosecutors said they were able to track the vehicle using license plate readers and initially arrested Evans’ niece.

Investigators said that Evans had no idea that inside the stolen suitcases was a laptop that allowed officers to track the stolen items to a property associated with the defendant. While surveillance video shows the defendant bringing suitcases matching the description of those in the Wagoneer into the property, a search warrant did not yield any of the stolen items.

In court on Tuesday, prosecutors said that in a statement to police after his arrest, the defendant referred to himself as the “King Thief of Atlanta,” and said that someone had told him about what was in the suitcases. His niece told police that she got an iPhone and several chargers from the suitcases, matching the description of the suitcases’ contents from victims.

Urging the judge to accept a joint sentencing recommendation from both the defense and the prosecution, Evans’ attorney said that her client is “hoping for a future where he can make money legitimately and be part of society, just like the rest of us.”

The judge granted the request and sentenced Evans to five years in prison, with three years suspended; that means after two years he will serve the rest of the sentence on parole.

'King Thief of Atlanta' pleads guilty to breaking into car with Beyoncé's unreleased music | Court TV

LIVE | Kouri Richins Sentencing Memo. The State has spoken. It's time for prison.

✨✨ Some new information regarding the children.

The Docket
0:00 Welcome
6:00 Canvas Hack - Road So Far
9:40 ABC Article - The Settlement
22:00 Q&A & Summary
25:00 Law Nerd Shop - I'm With the Band
39:19 Kouri Richins - Road So Far
44:20 Fourth Amended Decorum Order
51:01 Sentencing Memo
1:09:00 Restitution
1:34:20 Impact on the Victim's Family
1:46:00 A.R. Recounts
2:06:10 Kouri's Demeanor & Behavior
2:33:00 Sentencing Amount Recommendations
2:44:30 Conclusion
2:45:44 Summary 📝

https://www.youtube.com/live/-tjr1-GhvP8?si=MKvHULLg9SM2VV7s

State Sentencing

https://fromsmash.com/Richins-State-Sentencing-0526

Baby left in vehicle in Winter Haven dies: Police

✨✨ #1 Hot Car Death of 2026

The Brief

• A baby is dead after it was left inside a vehicle on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.
• It is unclear how long the child was in the vehicle.
• The circumstances that led up to the child being left in the vehicle were not released by police.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - An infant has died after police said it was left in a vehicle earlier this week in Winter Haven.

What we know:

According to the Winter Haven Police Department, officers and fire rescue crews went to a home on Ave. N NW in Winter Haven shortly before 4 p.m. on Tuesday for an infant who had reportedly been left inside a vehicle.

When crews arrived, they said they immediately began life-saving measures and took the child to the hospital.

On Wednesday morning, police confirmed that the baby passed away.

What we don't know:

It is unclear how long the child had been in the vehicle.

Police did not release the circumstances that led up to the child being left in the car.

The Source: This article was written with information in a press release from the Winter Haven Police Department as well as a conversation with Public Information Officer Jamie Brown.

Baby left in vehicle in Winter Haven dies: Police | FOX 13 Tampa Bay

COURTROOM INSIDER | 5 cases I'm watching and the latest on KOURI RICHINS

"Courtroom Insider," Nate Eaton details five interesting cases he's watching. Plus will the judge allow cameras into Tyler Robinson's trial and what will happen this week with Kouri Richins? Nate breaks it all down.

East Idaho News - Nate Eaton
https://www.youtube.com/live/kSGv0ivIEdw?si=OJ-rrwCzcDlXm9zc

Nurse allegedly killed by ex during hours-long attack in Midwest home

An Illinois nurse was handcuffed, beaten and sexually assaulted for over seven hours by her jealous ex-boyfriend before he strangled her to death, police say. 

Katherine Torbick, 43, was found dead in her $500,000 home in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg on April 20 after allegedly being attacked by her former partner Kevin Motykie, 56. 

Schaumburg police said they responded to a welfare check at Torbick's home at 9:20pm, and found Motykie in the garage and his ex-girlfriend dead on a couch inside the property. 

When Motykie was taken into custody, officers found an audio recording device in his pocket containing a nightmarish seven-hour recording of him torturing Torbick, police said. 

Prosecutors said the recording began at 2am on April 20 and lasted until 9:24am, containing horrific audio of Torbick being repeatedly assaulted and pleading for help. 

The recording allegedly began with Motykie and Torbick arguing, before she was heard screaming for him to get off her and struggling against being handcuffed.

Prosecutors Said Audio Captured Hours of Alleged Abuse

Prosecutors said the couple had been in a relationship for 10 years but broke up in January, and said in the recording Motykie accused her of repeatedly cheating on him as she screamed for help. 

The horror audio included hours of Motykie allegedly handcuffing, beating, binding with duct tape, and sexually assaulting his former girlfriend, and ended with him strangling her to death, prosecutors said. 

The scene inside Torbick's home was discovered after her new boyfriend, who has not been named, called police to say he had not heard from her for over a day. 

Prosecutors said after Torbick and Motykie ended their decade-long relationship, she began seeing a new lover in April. 

Schaumbrg police said they were aware of a recent domestic violence incident at Torbick's home involving Motykie in March, where he allegedly choked her and tried to gouge out her eyeballs. 

At the time of the alleged attack, Motykie had a pending arrest warrant for aggravated domestic battery from that incident, police said. 

Officers had to force their way inside Torbick's home as the front door had been barricaded, and discovered Motykie still at the residence when they found Torbick's body inside. 

A proffer of the recording found on Motykie allegedly included audio of Torbick repeatedly begging for her life throughout the seven-hour ordeal.

Officers said they could hear 'the sounds of ripping duct tape' on the audio, and Motykie telling his ex numerous times that he was going to murder her. 

Motykie Facing First-Degree Murder Charges

He allegedly strangled her several times over the night, before the final fatal episode lasted over four minutes as she fell silent. 

After allegedly murdering Torbick, Motykie then said he had 'gotta go hang myself', and said 'this will take 30 seconds, and think of somewhere happy', prosecutors said.  

Motykie is facing first-degree murder charges, and he was held at a medical facility for several weeks before his first court appearance on May 8, where he was ordered to be held without bail. 

Tributes poured in for Torbick following news of her death, as friends told WGN9 that she was a dedicated nurse who always put others before herself. 

Julie Bevel, her boss at Fox River MedSpa where she worked as a gastroenterology nurse, said she was 'heartbroken' by the loss of Torbick, a mother of one. 

'In the short time she was with us, she became a part of our Sisterhood,' Bevel said. 'She brought warmth, energy, and genuine care to our workplace. She loved being part of this team, and we loved having her here.

'Our hearts are with her family, especially her son, during this unimaginable time. We are holding them in our thoughts and sending all the strength and support we can.' 

Records Show Prior Domestic Violence Allegations

According to court records in Cook County cited by WGN9, Motykie has a history of domestic violence allegations against him involving a number of former partners and family members. 

He has had numerous cases filed against him for orders of protection, and at the time of Torbick's death he had a warrant out for his arrest for a domestic battery incident against her. 

In that incident in March, prosecutors said he tried to gouge out her eyeballs and choked her until she couldn't breathe while being held at knifepoint. 

Torbick was eventually able to escape to a neighbor's home, and she was transported to hospital with injuries while warning officers that she believed Motykie was trying to kill her. 

A warrant for his arrest was issued, but Schaumburg police had failed to locate Motykie before he allegedly returned to murder Torbick on April 20. 

Prosecutors said that based on audio recordings, Motykie had been living in the home again as recently as March 22. 

Alongside his order of protection cases over several years, Motykie was also accused by his brother, a plastic surgeon in California, of stealing over $458,000 from his business during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Motykie's brushes with the law date back over 35 years, as reported court records showed he pleaded guilty to a forgery charge in 1991. 

He also had cases for reckless driving and retail theft in 1987 and 1988 respectively, and both cases resulted in supervised release sentences.  

Nurse allegedly killed by ex during hours-long attack in Midwest home | Daily Mail Online

Surgeon accused of poisoning girlfriend with abortion pills takes a plea

TOLEDO, Ohio (Court TV) — An Ohio surgeon accused of slipping abortion pills to his girlfriend without her knowledge faces a maximum of five years behind bars after taking a plea in the case.

Hassan-James Abbas, 32, pleaded no contest to disrupting public services, unlawful distribution of an abortion-inducing drug, identity fraud and deception to obtain a dangerous drug as part of an agreement he reached with prosecutors. Under the agreement, prosecutors dropped charges of abduction and tampering with evidence.

Prosecutors said that on Dec. 11, 2024, Abbas used his ex-wife’s name, birthday and driver’s license number to order abortion drugs online. In the following days, Abbas offered multiple drinks to the victim, which she described as out of character. On Dec. 18, the victim said that while she was asleep, he climbed on top of her, held her down against her will and shoved crushed pills into her mouth. When the victim escaped, Abbas disposed of the remaining medication by throwing it out of the window from his moving vehicle.

Abbas, who was a surgical resident at the University of Toledo Medical Center, had his license suspended by the State Medical Board of Ohio after police began their investigation. Investigators say Abbas admitted to ordering the medication, but claimed that the victim had agreed to take the pills.

“We expect doctors to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism and not abuse another person in such an unacceptable way,” Lucas Conty Prosecuting Attorney Julia Bates said in a statement announcing the plea agreement. “Doctors hold positions of trust and respect in the community, and this conduct represented a serious abuse of that trust. The conclusion of this case will likely never alleviate the trauma experienced by the victim and others who have heard about this case.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Abbas faces a maximum of 60 months in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000; his sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 24.

Surgeon accused of poisoning girlfriend with abortion pills takes a plea | Court TV

Georgia man admits to murdering 2 people, attacking two others

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (Court TV) — A Georgia man was sentenced to life in prison after he admitted to killing two people and attacking two others.

Javier Aragon Ruiz, 55, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, four counts of aggravated assault and weapons charges stemming from an incident in December 2025.

Ruiz had attended church with the victims, Javier Martinez, 28, and Jesua Valesca Garcia Perez, 17; prosecutors said that at some point, the teenager’s mother had been concerned about Ruiz spending time with her and forbade the two from speaking.

On Dec. 5, 2025, investigators said that Ruiz was waiting for Garcia Perez when she arrived at her home with Martinez, who had given her a ride. Ruiz got into Martinez’s vehicle with both of them. At some point during the drive, Ruiz pulled out a gun and shot both victims to death.

Prosecutors said after the murders, Ruiz left the victims’ bodies in the car and went back to Garcia Perez’s apartment. There, he found Garcia Perez’s sister, Soemia Garcia Perez, and her boyfriend, Jace Austin Corley. When Soemia Garcia Perez asked about her sister, Ruiz aimed the gun at them. When Soemia Garcia Perez ran from the scene, Ruiz pulled out a knife and slashed Corley.

Prosecutors say Ruiz was arrested in Tennessee when officers stopped him for DUI.

“We hope that this outcome brings the families some solace and justice,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said in a news release. “This was a violent defendant who belongs in prison.”

After pleading guilty, Ruiz was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, plus 10 years. That means he will be over 85 years old when he is eligible for parole.

Georgia man admits to murdering 2 people, attacking two others | Court TV

Suzanne Mericle called ‘jealous, selfish, crazed’ at sentencing for boyfriend’s murder

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (Court TV) — A woman convicted of killing her boyfriend by shooting him through a door was given a chance for parole at her sentencing, but it’s unlikely she’ll ever see the eligibility date.

Suzanne Mericle, 63, was convicted of felony murder, aggravated assault and criminal damage in the death of James David Barron. Barron was killed when he was shot through a door at the couple’s home.

At trial and again at Monday’s sentencing hearing, Mericle claimed that she was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Barron as well as several of her exes. As part of an effort to get a downward departure of the sentence under a law designed to protect victims of domestic violence, Mericle said that she had been abused in several of her past relationships.

To counter that, prosecutors presented evidence from two of the victim’s ex-wives, who described Barron as “calm, collected, cool, loving.” Beth Barron, who was married to the victim for 22 years, said that her ex would frequently retreat from arguments. “He did not like confrontation and would just try to leave the situation,” she said. “On March 8, he was taken from us, killed in the worst way, shot behind a locked door by a jealous, selfish, crazed person. Suzanne not only took his life but tried to defile his character during the trial in the most vulgar way possible.”

MORE | Juror refuses to deliberate in Suzanne Mericle’s murder trial

Judge John Breakfield denied the defense’s motion. “The court clearly has sympathy for all victims of domestic and dating violence,” he said. “To state clearly, these alleged past acts were not a significant contributing factor for the offense of which Suzanne Mericle has been convicted.”

Several of Barron’s friends and family delivered tearful victim impact statements remembering the man they loved and delivering harsh words to the defense. “The defense teams should be ashamed of how you tried to tarnish my father’s good name, and I will never forgive you for that,” Taylor Colt Barron, the victim’s son, said. “Suzanne murdered my father and she needs to be held accountable for her actions.”

“It’s been a year of waiting for this moment, and we’ve had time to be sad, but I look around at the people that are here with us now, and we’re just angry. I’ve grown empty and tired of holding my head high without some relief of letting you know how angry I am that you took my father away from me,” Evan Barron, another of the victim’s sons, said. “You should be ashamed of yourself….You smeared him with lies. You’ve tried to embarrass me, embarrass my family, embarrass my business. You took him from us and you’ve attempted to take down his good name with you, and it’s pathetic.”

Breakfield ultimately sentenced Mericle to life in prison with the possibility of parole, but acknowledged she would be 93 before she would become eligible. “In determining the sentence, I’ve considered your conduct throughout this trial. You testified, which you have a right to do. I found your testimony to be not credible. I found that you were the primary aggressor in this situation. I found that you had many, many, many off-ramps and you chose not to take them,” Breakfield said. “That said, the very likelihood is that this is her being imprisoned for the rest of her natural life.”

Breakfield said that if Mericle files a motion requesting a new trial, he will hear arguments on Oct. 29.

https://www.courttv.com/news/suzanne-mericle-called-jealous-selfish-crazed-at-sentencing-for-boyfriends-murde/