Murdaugh Trial, Day 16: COVID could create crisis in Alex Murdaugh murder trial

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. — Two jurors in the double murder trial of disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh have COVID, leaving the future of the proceedings in some doubt as they enter their 16th day Monday.

>> Scroll to the bottom of this webpage for previous trial coverage.

Judge Clifton Newman decided keep the trial going in the packed Colleton County courtroom after the remaining 10 jurors and five alternates tested negative. They will be tested again on Wednesday. The clerk of court also tested positive for the virus.

Newman said jurors agreed to wear masks. He rejected suggestions from both the defense and prosecutors to delay the trial until that second round of tests Wednesday, reduce the over 200 people allowed to attend the trial each day or order everyone in the courtroom to wear masks other than testifying witnesses and questioning attorneys.

WATCH BELOW: ABC News’ live stream of the Murdaugh trial

“At the moment, we are going to encourage everyone here to mask up for your own protection as well as the protection of these proceedings and each other,” Newman said.

Murdaugh, 54, faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted of murdering his wife, 52-year-old Maggie, and their 22-year-old son Paul near dog kennels at the family’s Colleton County home on June 7, 2021.

Monday marked the fourth week of the trial and the 13th day of testimony with prosecutors still presenting their case. They called state agents who tested evidence for DNA.

The trial started with six alternate jurors, but is now down to three.

“My only concern is we don’t create train wreck with this jury,” said defense attorney Dick Harpootlian, who immediately began wearing a mask.

Prosecutor Creighton Waters said he agreed with the defense that delaying the trial for a few days to make sure COVID isn’t spreading is much better than losing so many jurors there has to be a mistrial and three weeks of work is gone. He also suggested limiting the number of people inside the large, century-old courtroom. The trial is being livestreamed and shown on television.

“A little less numbers might be warranted. None of us want to limit anything, but we’re in different paradigm. Both of us have a concern about getting this thing to the end without COVID causing it to fall apart,” Waters said.

The judge said he would keep all options in mind, but for now the trial will continue without any changes.

“We just have to take precautions as we all do as we navigate through life during this period of time,” Newman said.

PREVIOUS TRIAL COVERAGE:

• Murdaugh Trial, Day 14: Attorney: I trusted Alex Murdaugh despite odd fee payments
• Murdaugh Trial, Day 13: Paralegal angry by Alex Murdaugh theft, knew he loved family
• Murdaugh Trial, Day 12: Jurors hear about blue rain jacket in Alex Murdaugh trial
• Murdaugh Trial, Day 11: Alex Murdaugh murder jury to hear financial crimes evidence
• Murdaugh Trial, Day 10: Maid’s son tells judge Alex Murdaugh took $4M for her death
• Murdaugh Trial, Day 9: Financial misdeeds allowed in Alex Murdaugh murder trial
• Murdaugh Trial, Day 8: Both sides use trove of cell data at Alex Murdaugh trial
• Murdaugh Trial, Day 7: Agent insists Alex Murdaugh suggested he killed his son
• Murdaugh Trial, Day 6: Defense faults crime scene collection
• Murdaugh Trial, Day 5: Hours after killings, Alex Murdaugh said he didn’t see wife
• Murdaugh Murder Trial, Day 4: Jury shown body cam footage from night of murders
• Murdaugh Murder Trial Day 3: Jury finalized, opening statements given
• Alex Murdaugh goes on trial in 2021 killings of wife, son

(WATCH BELOW: Attorney Alex Murdaugh turns himself in on charges he plotted own killing)

Attorney Alex Murdaugh turns himself in on charges he plotted own killing (NCD)

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