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Alex Murdaugh hearing today may see clash over whether to move 2nd trial to Charleston
CNN • • nation
Key Points:
- A hearing Friday will address the defense's request to move Alex Murdaugh's retrial from Colleton County to Charleston, amid disagreements with prosecutors over venue due to concerns about impartiality and logistical challenges.
- The defense also filed a motion to dismiss the 2022 murder indictments, alleging that a key investigator presented fabricated evidence to the grand jury, while prosecutors oppose independent DNA testing requested by the defense.
- Prosecutors seek to reuse Murdaugh’s 2023 trial testimony in the retrial, despite defense objections claiming it was given under conditions tied to irrelevant financial crime evidence.
- Additional pending motions include disputes over juror questionnaires, discovery protective orders, digital evidence reviews, and forensic extraction of Murdaugh’s phone, highlighting ongoing pretrial legal battles.
- Judge Debra McCaslin ruled that Murdaugh must appear unshackled and in civilian clothes at pretrial hearings and trial sessions when media is present, a decision favorable to the defense.
