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Alex Murdaugh\\u2019s three-day evidentiary hearing takes place later this month.

The hearings will held in open court and court-controlled television cameras will be allowed. They cannot, however, focus on the faces of testifying jurors, who will be referred to by their juror numbers, not their names. The hearing will determine whether Murdaugh will be granted a new murder trial, after his attorneys, alleged jury tampering by Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca \\u201cBecky\\u201d Hill.

Former S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal is now the judge hearing the case. She took control of her South Carolina courtroom -, making several rulings affecting Alex Murdaugh\\u2019s bid. His attorneys say jury tampering by Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill impacted the original trial\\u2019s outcome, and that according to Toal, will be the defense\\u2019s burden to prove.\\xa0The attorneys argued the law only required them to prove improper contact with jurors had occurred.

Toal says she will rule that, \\u201cPrejudice must be proved, not presumed.\\u201d

Toal says the stand she will take on the specific evidence of \\u201dwhat was said, when it was said, and how it impacted the jury,\\u201d lies with the defense, not an assumption on Becky Hill\\u2019s credibility. Toal told the courtroom that she would not allow the upcoming evidentiary hearing to turn into a trial of Becky Hill.

Becky Hill is facing her own ongoing ethics and criminal investigations related to her conduct during and after the Murdaugh trial. \\xa0The judge says she intends to limit the witness list to the twelve deliberating jurors and Becky Hill. \\xa0

An alternate juror and Juror 785, now known as the \\u201cegg lady\\u201d due to her insistence that she retrieve a dozen eggs from the jury room before leaving the courthouse, will not be allowed to testify.\\xa0 Toal says she sees \\xa0\\u201cno necessity\\u201d to hear from anyone other than the (deliberating) jurors.\\u201d \\xa0

What\'s more, Toal says she will be the one asking the questions.

Joining Nancy Grace Today:

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• Ronnie Richter\\xa0\\u2013 Attorney for Sandy Smith, Satterfield family, and other victims of Alex Murdaugh; Partner, Bland Richter Law Firm; Twitter: @BlandRichterSC\\xa0
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• Dr. Bethany Marshall\\xa0\\u2013 Psychoanalyst (Beverly Hills); Twitter: @DrBethanyLive/ Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall; Appearing in the new show, \\u201cParis in Love\\u201d on Peacock
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• Chris McDonough\\xa0\\u2013 Director At the Cold Case Foundation, Former Homicide Detective; Host of YouTube channel: \\u201cThe Interview Room\\u201d
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• Dr. Michelle Dupre\\xa0\\u2013 Forensic Pathologist and former Medical Examiner, Author: \\u201cHomicide Investigation Field Guide\\u201d & \\u201cInvestigating Child Abuse Field Guide\\u201d, Ret. Police Detective Lexington County Sheriff\\u2019s Department
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• Jennifer Wood - Director of Research at FITSNews.com; X: @IndyJenn_\\xa0
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