Murdaugh judge could be a trial witness

(CNN)– Alex Murdaugh’s attorneys could call the judge who convicted him as a witness.

Judge Clifton Newman presided over the trial last year which ended in Murdaugh’s conviction for murdering his wife and son.

His defense team filed a motion for a new trial in October.

They say Court Clerk Rebecca Hill tampered with the jury which she denies.

A public status conference starts on jan. 16 and an evidentiary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29.

Murdaugh’s defense team is planning to call Newman as a witness in that hearing.