South Carolina's Supreme Court has overturned the double murder of Alex Murdaugh and ordered a new trial in the slayings of his wife and son, according to reports.
The State reported Wednesday morning that the court ruled that the actions of former Colleton County Court Clerk Becky Hill deprived the prominent Lowcountry attorney of his right to a fair trial and returned the case to circuit court.
“Although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial due to Hill’s improper external influences on the jury and remand for a new trial,” the justices wrote in a 5-0 vote.
The 57-year-old Murdaugh was convicted by a jury following a six-week trial of the murders of his wife, Maggie, and 22-year-old son Paul in March 2023 and sentenced to two life sentences.
He also pleaded guilty to dozens of financial crimes and is serving concurrent state and federal sentences of 27 and 40 years.
His attorneys appealed the murder convictions, arguing that the then-county clerk's comments to jurors were improper, and they claimed prosecutors introduced prejudicial evidence in the trial, which featured extensive testimony alleging that Murdaugh stole millions from clients and his own law firm.
Murdaugh took the stand in his own defense and told jurors that he did not kill his wife and son, which he continues to insist.
