Alex Murdaugh’s second murder trial will start next spring, judge rules

Key Points:

• Alex Murdaugh, a disbarred South Carolina attorney accused of murdering his wife and son, will face a second murder trial starting April 5, 2027, after his 2023 convictions were overturned due to improper influence by a county clerk.
• Murdaugh's defense has filed pretrial motions seeking a change of venue, independent DNA testing, and access to a secure laptop to prepare for trial, arguing that local media saturation and the Murdaugh family's longstanding prominence in the area compromise his right to a fair trial.
• The overturned convictions followed revelations of county clerk Becky Hill's inappropriate comments to jurors, which led the state Supreme Court to order a new trial, though Hill was never charged with jury tampering.
• Separate from the murder charges, Murdaugh has pleaded guilty to numerous financial crimes and is serving concurrent state and federal sentences totaling 67 years.
• A dispute arose over Murdaugh's court attire and shackling, with defense requesting civilian clothes to avoid prejudicing jurors, but prosecutors opposed, citing security concerns; the defense later withdrew the motion to focus on other matters.