Photo: Getty Images
The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh's double murder convictions on Wednesday (May 13), granting him a new trial. The court found that Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill's improper influence on the jury denied Murdaugh a fair trial.
Murdaugh was convicted in March 2023 for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, at their family estate in Colleton County. The defense argued that Hill pressured jurors to reach a guilty verdict, allegedly to secure a book deal and media appearances. Hill has denied these allegations, but the court ruled that her actions warranted a retrial.
Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian emphasized that Murdaugh's financial crimes do not equate to murder. He pointed to a lack of forensic evidence linking Murdaugh to the killings. Prosecutors, however, remain confident in their case.
The decision to overturn the conviction comes amid ongoing legal battles for Murdaugh, who is also serving a 27-year sentence for financial crimes. Despite the ruling, Murdaugh maintains his innocence in the murders.