Attorney Frank Cassese comments on the reversal of Alex Murdaugh’s murder conviction and the dangers of jury tampering

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In this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today, BK Shareholder, SuperLawyer, and respected criminal defense attorney Frank Cassese provides perspective on the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the conviction of Alex Murdaugh, the prominent personal injury lawyer found guilty of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul at their home in 2021.

Murdaugh’s 2023 trial garnered worldwide media attention rivaling the O.J. Simpson case. After being found guilty by a jury, Murdaugh was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.
But, in a shocking turn of events, South Carolina’ high court, citing jury tampering and misconduct by the court clerk during the original trial, overturned the verdict and ordered that Murdaugh be retried.

According to Attorney Cassese, allegations of jury tampering by the clerk of courts assigned to the case arose during the trial. The Supreme Court found the clerk had improperly attempted to influence the jury during the proceedings. That finding led to the reversal of the Murdaugh’s conviction.

Attorney Cassese explained that jury tampering is the number one “no-no” in criminal and civil cases.

“Jury deliberations are very sacred,” Atty. Cassese said. “So it is an egregious violation to tamper with that process.”

Frank noted that even though his murder conviction has been overturned, Murdaugh has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for financial crimes he committed during his legal career. So even though the Supreme Court has ordered a new trial, Murdaugh won’t be getting out of prison any time soon. “That means he could go back to court, be acquitted of the murder charges and still remain in prison for the rest of his life.”

“As a trial lawyer, someone attempting to improperly influence a jury is one of the biggest concerns you can ever have,” Atty. Cassese continued.

“There were allegations that the court clerk in question had a stake in the outcome of the trial because she had negotiated a deal to write a book about the crime and the trial. That’s what led to the reversal,” he said.

Frank then discussed juries and undue influence in general. “People don’t realize that when they see news and sees snippets of stories about cases they’re not getting the whole picture of the matter being tried.”

“On the other hand, a jury sees all the evidence, and it is the state’s responsibility—whether it is the state of Ohio or the state of South Carolina—to use that evidence to prove the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.

“So sometimes when people are acquitted, it doesn’t necessarily mean a jury thinks they’re innocent. It means that the prosecutors didn’t prove their case,” Atty. Cassese noted.

“And here is a critically important point: the jury is only permitted to consider the evidence that is presented to them. They can’t or watch stories in the media and they can’t Google search for information,” he continued.

“Why?  Because information from outside the proceedings can be illegitimate or inaccurate. That is why judges often give jurors strict orders not to speak to others about the case, not to look up info on their phone, or read about the case on social media.”

Frank also took note of the fact that the Attorney General of South Carolina said the case would be retried as quickly as possible and emphasized that no one was above the law.

“He made those statements because he wanted to assure the public that although Murdaugh was once a prominent and powerful figure in the state he won’t receive special treatment. He wants people to know justice will be served,” Atty. Cassese concluded.

Attorney Aaron Thomas joins BK as Manager of Tampa, FL office and Leaders of firm’s Real Estate Practive Group

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We are pleased to announce that Attorney Aaron Thomas has joined BetrasKopp’s elite legal team as a shareholder, manager of our Tampa, Florida office, and Leader of our Real Estate Practice Group. He is also working closely with our Complex Business Litigation and Sports Law Practice Groups.
Aaron’s exceptional expertise and experience, which includes structuring and executing multi-national transactions, will significantly expand and enhance all aspects of BK’s complex business and sports law operations.
We invite you to take a moment to review Aaron’s professional biography:
Attorney Aaron Thomas, who joined Betras Kopp Attorneys at Law in January 2026 as a shareholder, manages the firm’s Tampa, Florida office and leads the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. He also oversees the firm’s closing and title insurance operations and works closely with BK’s Complex Litigation and Sports Law Practice Groups.
Based in Tampa, Aaron represents developers, lenders, investors, and business entities in complex real estate, corporate, and sports-related transactions throughout the United States and across the world.
Aaron’s practice focuses on the acquisition, development, financing, and disposition of diverse commercial real estate assets, including hotels, multifamily communities, office buildings, and luxury residential properties. He regularly represents both lenders and borrowers in mortgage and mezzanine loans, construction lending, and other complex financing transactions. He also serves as a trusted advisor to clients engaged in joint ventures, private company acquisitions, and business divestitures.
As leader of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group Aaron manages all aspects of the firm’s closing and title insurance business which includes overseeing residential and commercial closings throughout the State of Florida, working with title underwriters, and ensuring compliance with all regulatory and underwriting requirements.
A considerable portion of Aaron’s practice involves high-volume residential closings, complex commercial transactions, and serving as a strategic advisor on title, survey, and insurability issues. He also works closely with, supports, and provides expert counsel to BetrasKopp attorneys in Florida and Ohio who are engaged in complex real estate and title transactions.
Aaron also brings vast experience and expertise to BK’s Sports Law Practice Group where he plays an integral role in structuring and executing transactions involving professional sports organizations and related entities. During his career he has been involved in the purchase and sale of sale of professional sports franchises in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Most notably, he represented a consortium of U.S. and international investors in the acquisition of a minority interest in Plymouth Argyle Football Club and Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C.
Aaron also maintains robust land use, government relations, and regulatory practice. He represents clients throughout Florida in zoning, permitting, and regulatory matters. He has successfully negotiated more than 100 settlements under the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act and routinely secures site plan approvals, special exceptions, and variances for residential, multifamily, and commercial developments.
Aaron is a member of and active in the Florida Bar and its Young Lawyers Division as well as the Hillsborough County Bar Association.
Aaron, a three-time Academic All-American, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mars Hill College where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law.
Aaron and his wife Jordan have two daughters: Hayden and Remi.

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