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Public Case Archive · South CarolinaChristopher Woody Case Review
Woody Case ReviewOne constitutional standard.

§ Timeline

Chronological case, evidentiary, and procedural history.

Every entry carries a status label. Entries marked 'Requires Verification' are awaiting administrator confirmation against the court record.

§ 1· Timeline

  1. 2004 (approximate period)

    Original police investigation

    The police investigation preceding Christopher Woody's arrest and prosecution occurred during this period. The family maintains that portions of the original investigation require independent review.

    Requires Verification

  2. 2005

    Trial and conviction

    Christopher Woody was tried and convicted in South Carolina.

    Confirmed by Court Record

  3. 2005 — during jury deliberations

    Alleged unauthorized entry into the jury room

    A trial juror later alleges by sworn affidavit that a person with official courtroom access entered the jury room during deliberations and communicated a statement favoring conviction. A second juror corroborates that an unauthorized person entered the jury room during deliberations. Because the jury room is a secure deliberative space, the family maintains that the person described must have been a state employee or official with courthouse access.

    Sworn Statement

  4. Following trial

    Direct appeal

    Direct appellate proceedings followed the 2005 conviction. Details pending administrator verification against the court record.

    Requires Verification

  5. Post-conviction — first proceedings

    First post-conviction proceedings

    Initial post-conviction relief proceedings occurred. The family maintains that the outside-influence allegation has not received a complete, conflict-free merits hearing.

    Requires Verification

  6. Later period

    Discovery of juror evidence

    Evidence supporting the allegation that a person with courtroom access entered the jury room during deliberations came to the family's attention.

    Family Account

  7. Date not publicly displayed

    Main juror affidavit — sworn

    A trial juror executes a sworn affidavit describing a person with official courtroom access entering the jury room during 2005 deliberations and communicating a statement favoring conviction.

    Sworn StatementRelated documents →

  8. Date not publicly displayed

    Second juror corroborates unauthorized entry

    A second juror executes a sworn statement corroborating that an unauthorized person entered the jury room during deliberations.

    Sworn StatementRelated documents →

  9. May 13, 2026

    South Carolina Supreme Court remands Murdaugh for a new trial (Opinion No. 28329)

    The South Carolina Supreme Court reverses the convictions in the Murdaugh matter after finding improper external jury influence, and remands for a new trial. Cited on this site as constitutional context.

    Confirmed by Public DocumentSource: sccourts.org — Opinions & OrdersRelated documents →

  10. July 20, 2026

    Habeas Corpus petition filed

    A petition for writ of habeas corpus was filed on behalf of Christopher Woody in the South Carolina Supreme Court. The family says the petition is now pending and requires immediate public scrutiny so the Court cannot delay or avoid review of the sworn jury-room intrusion allegation.

    Family AccountRelated documents →

  11. Current period

    Public advocacy and investigation underway

    The family and volunteers are contacting appellate defenders, innocence organizations, attorneys, public officials, faith and civil-rights leaders, journalists, and investigators. The family is urging immediate public support because the petition is now pending before the South Carolina Supreme Court.

    Family AccountRelated documents →