Mandy Matney has been ordered to pay $176,000 after being found guilty of contempt of court. She allegedly missed a deposition in the Renee Beach vs Greg Parker lawsuit.
On Monday, July 13, South Carolina Judge Keith Kelly found Mandy Matney guilty of contempt of court. She stated that the true crime podcaster ‘deliberately’ missed the mandated deposition. She was scheduled to give her deposition in Bluffton in Beaufort County, which she finally did in April.
Since then, there have been multiple hearings where Matney has shared her reasons for not attending the deposition. According to The State, she said that she believed that she didn’t have enough information and even cited safety as an alleged issue.
However, Judge Keith Kelly dismissed these claims and wrote in his verdict:
“Ms. Matney’s stated reason for failing to comply — that the noticed location was not sufficiently safe for her — is not supported by the evidence or any credible testimony.”
“This contempt proceeding arose from Ms. Matney’s own conduct. Had she appeared for her deposition at the noticed location on March 27th or accepted the alternative locations (for a deposition) … she would not be before the Court on a contempt motion,” he added.
According to the judgment, Mandy Matney will have to pay $171,500 in lawyers’ fees and a $5,000 fine.
Matney’s involvement comes from the 2019 case of the death of Mallory Beach. The 19-year-old was killed during a boat crash in February 2019, with Paul Murdaugh driving the boat. The latter was charged with driving under the influence, but he and his mother were fatally shot in 2021.
Beach’s mother, Renee Beach, filed a lawsuit against Greg Parker for allegedly leaking the images of her daughter’s corpse. The lawyers in the case believe that Mandy Matney might have some evidence or information in the case, and hence, they wanted to question her.
Judge Keith Kelly continued to slam Mandy Matney for alleged contempt of court
On Monday, Judge Keith Kelly stated in court that Mandy Matney missing the deposition on March 27 was a ‘deliberate’ act. He pointed to her social media activity, stating:
“Ms. Matney’s social media posts from later that same day included pictures of her eating lemon pound cake with Plaintiffs’ lead counsel after the attempted deposition was adjourned and toasting herself with a beverage at an outdoor location.”
“She also posted pictures of herself, her counsel, and her husband having what appears to be a celebratory meal outing in Savannah. The Court observes that Ms. Matney’s posts memorializing these activities evidence her intent to defy her obligation to appear at the noticed deposition location,” he added.
Judge Kelly added that they need to punish such acts to maintain and protect the “integrity of the judicial process.”
Mandy Matney’s lawyer, Becky Lindahl, meanwhile stated:
“We respectfully disagree with the court’s decision and plan to appeal.”
Notably, Judge Kelly stated that the three law firms involved had demanded a $310,533 penalty from Mandy Matney. However, she would have to pay $171,500.
Edited by Aditya Singh
