A banker convicted of helping Alex Murdaugh move stolen funds had his conviction and seven-year prison sentence overturned on appeal. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal judge made errors in handling a juror who was dismissed during deliberations due to anxiety.
The juror's anxiety led to her replacement by alternates, after which the jury quickly returned with guilty verdicts. The appeals court found that the judge's actions violated the banker's right to an impartial jury.
Prosecutors plan to retry the banker, emphasizing that the errors were the judge's responsibility. The court's ruling does not impact the charges against the banker moving forward.
The banker, convicted of wire and bank fraud, began serving a seven-year sentence in September. He is likely to be released pending his retrial.
Connection to Alex Murdaugh
The banker was ensnared in Murdaugh's scheme to steal millions from his law firm and clients. Murdaugh, serving a life sentence for killing his wife and son, implicated several individuals in his crimes.
The banker's family's reputable bank was used to facilitate the thefts. He mishandled settlement money for vulnerable clients, sending funds to Murdaugh without full knowledge of the scheme.
At his sentencing, the banker apologized for his actions but maintained his innocence, claiming he was misled by Murdaugh. Prosecutors acknowledged his lack of full awareness but argued that he enabled Murdaugh's criminal activities.
The case highlights the intricate web of deceit woven by Murdaugh and the consequences faced by those involved in his illegal activities.
