In 2023, disgraced former lawyer Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of murdering his wife and son following a high-profile trial. If that weren't enough, Murdaugh is also alleged to have stolen nearly two million dollars from his personal injury clients with the help of a bank CEO. During the CEO's fraud trial, the judge removed a juror who privately expressed anxiety due to other jurors' "reactions to my decision." The banker was then convicted on all counts. Did removing the anxious juror violate the banker's rights under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments? Fourth Circuit: Sure did. The banker had the right to be present in the juror's interview, and there's a substantial possibility that removal was based on the juror's view of the case. Convictions vacated and remanded for a new trial.
The case is United States v. Lafitte, No. 23-4509 (4th Cir. Nov. 14, 2024).