Russell Laffitte Granted New Trial by Court

Russell Laffitte, a former banker and alleged accomplice of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh, has had his fraud convictions overturned by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. The court found that Laffitte's Sixth Amendment right to an impartial jury was violated when a juror, who expressed anxiety during deliberations, was removed without Laffitte or his attorneys present. The appellate judges also ruled that this dismissal likely influenced the jury's quick guilty verdict. Laffitte's prior conviction included multiple counts of bank fraud and conspiracy related to Murdaugh's financial schemes, which involved misappropriating settlement funds. Following the ruling, Laffitte will be granted a new trial, although the charges against him remain intact. U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs affirmed their commitment to prove Laffitte's guilt in the upcoming trial.