The decision vacates the guilty verdicts that had sent former attorney Alex Murdaugh to prison for life in the killings of his wife and son.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for Alex Murdaugh, overturning his 2023 conviction in the killings of his wife and son, citing the action of the clerk of court as the reason why.
The decision vacates the guilty verdicts that had sent the former attorney to prison for life after a Colleton County jury found him guilty in the June 2021 shootings of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.
Why the court made its decision
In its unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court felt that Becky Hill, then the Colleton County Clerk of Court, improperly spoke to jurors, tainting their decision. They said that meant Murdaugh did not receive a fair trial under state law.
Hill, the Colleton County Clerk of Court, egregiously attacked Murdaugh’s credibility and his defense, thus triggering the presumption of prejudice, which the State was unable to rebut. As noted at the outset, Hill’s shocking jury interference was accomplished outside the presence and knowledge of the outstanding trial judge and superbly competent and professional counsel for the State and the defense. We are accordingly constrained to reverse the post-trial court’s denial of Murdaugh’s motion and remand for a new trial consistent with this opinion.
How the case reached this point
Murdaugh was convicted in March 2023 and sentenced to two life terms after prosecutors argued he killed his wife and son as his financial crimes were unraveling.
At trial, the state presented evidence including a video from Paul Murdaugh’s phone that prosecutors said placed Murdaugh at the scene shortly before the killings. They also introduced extensive testimony about his financial crimes, arguing it showed motive.
Murdaugh’s attorneys, however, argued there was no direct physical evidence linking him to the shootings, noting no DNA or blood was found on him or his clothing.
After the conviction, the defense sought a new trial, raising concerns about possible jury tampering involving former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill. They pointed to testimony alleging Hill made comments to jurors about Murdaugh’s credibility — something Hill denied.
In January 2024, a judge denied the request for a new trial, ruling that while Hill made what were described as “fleeting and foolish comments,” they did not influence the jury’s verdict.
Murdaugh’s attorneys later appealed to the South Carolina Supreme Court, filing a lengthy brief challenging both the handling of the jury and key evidentiary decisions during the trial.
What happened during the Supreme Court hearing
During oral arguments, defense attorneys told justices that errors during the trial — including the handling of jurors and the admission of financial crimes evidence — prevented a fair proceeding.
“If only the people who may be innocent get a fair trial, then our Constitution isn’t working,” attorney Dick Harpootlian argued.
Prosecutors countered that any issues raised were minor and that the evidence against Murdaugh was overwhelming.
They pointed to the cellphone video and other testimony, arguing the jury had sufficient grounds to convict.
Justices questioned both sides during the hearing, at times raising concerns about whether certain actions during the trial were appropriate and whether they could have influenced jurors.
What happens next
With the conviction overturned, the case will return to a lower court for a new trial.
That process is expected to take time, as attorneys prepare to retry one of the state’s most high-profile criminal cases.
Even with a new trial granted, Murdaugh will remain in prison for now. He is also serving a 40-year federal sentence after pleading guilty to financial crimes involving millions of dollars stolen from clients.
The new trial will determine whether prosecutors can once again secure a conviction — or whether a different outcome is reached.