Alex Murdaugh trial: Jury begins deliberating ex-lawyer's fate

The jury in the high-profile US trial of a former lawyer accused of killing his wife and son has begun deliberating after six weeks of evidence and testimony.

Prosecutors argue Alex Murdaugh killed his relatives to distract from multi-million-dollar financial fraud crimes.

Hours before, one of the 12 jurors was dismissed for discussing the case with people not involved in the trial.

The juror - No. 785 - was replaced by an alternate juror.

"Though it does not appear that the conversations were that extensive, it did involve the juror offering her opinion regarding evidence received up to that point in the trial", the judge said.

The dismissal did not cause a delay in the trial proceedings, with closing arguments proceeding shortly after.

Judge Newman said he spoke with the juror and two others believed to be involved, both of whom "waffled" about the nature and extent of the conversation.

"You have been by all accounts a great juror, and smiled consistently and seemingly been attentive to the case and performed well," he told the woman in front of the court. "I'm not suggesting that you intentionally did anything wrong, but in order to preserve the integrity of the process and in fairness to all the parties involved, we are going to replace you with one of the other jurors."

Addressing the remaining jurors later on Thursday, Judge Newman warned them to avoid certain electronic media as they deliberate, and urged them to focus only on the testimony heard in court and exhibits entered into evidence.

"All parties are entitled to a fair and impartial trial," he said. "You are the judges - judges of the facts," he added.

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The case has captured national attention, heightened during the six-week trial that featured claims of corruption, opioid abuse and a failed hitman suicide plot.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Murdaugh, 54, shot his wife, Maggie, 52, and son, Paul, 22, in June 2021 to evoke sympathy and avoid a reckoning after committing financial fraud.

If convicted, Mr Murdaugh faces 30 years to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Additional reporting by Bernd Debusmann Jr.