Alex Murdaugh during a hearing on Jan. 16, 2024.Photo:Tracy Glantz/The State via AP

Alex Murdaugh, convicted of killing his wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul, in June 2021, sits during a hearing on a motion for a retrial, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, at the Richland County Judicial Center in Columbia, S.C.

Tracy Glantz/The State via AP

Convicted family murdererand disgraced lawyerAlex Murdaughis back in a South Carolina courtroom today hoping to be granted a new trial.

Last March,Murdaugh was found guiltyof the 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, 52, and youngest son, Paul, 22. Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before delivering the guilty verdicts. His surviving sonBuster Murdaugh—who testified during the trial— was in the courtroom when the verdicts were read.

Alex Murdaugh on Jan. 16. 2024.Tracy Glantz/The State via AP

Alex Murdaugh, convicted of killing his wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul, in June 2021, is escorted out of the courtroom following a hearing on a motion for a retrial, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, at the Richland County Judicial Center in Columbia, S.C.

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“The evidence of guilt is overwhelming, and I deny the motion,” state Circuit Judge Clifton Newman said at the time. Murdaugh was subsequently sentenced totwo life sentences in prisonfor the murders.

Murdaugh’s lawyers are now alleging that Hill had repeatedly referenced Murdaugh to the jury in ways that made him appear guilty. They also claim she made efforts to remove a juror she wasn’t confident would turn in a guilty verdict. Murdaugh’s attorneys also claim Hill “pressured the jurors to reach a quick verdict, telling them from the outset of their deliberations that it ‘shouldn’t take them long,’ “ the motion reads.

Alex Murdaugh on Jan. 16, 2024.Tracy Glantz/The State via AP

Alex Murdaugh, convicted of killing his wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul, in June 2021, stands with his defense team during a hearing on a motion for a retrial, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, at the Richland County Judicial Center in Columbia, S.C.

In November,Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 22 financial crimes, including wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud and more, the South Carolina Attorney General’s office previously confirmed to PEOPLE.

His financial crimes victims included the family of his longtime housekeeperGloria Satterfield,who died in a mysterious trip and fall at the Murdaugh estate.

“He’s a modern-day monster,“Attorney Eric Bland, who represented the Satterfield family and others, previously told PEOPLE. “He’s the devil.”

source: people.com