In a stunning decision that could reshape one of South Carolina’s most infamous criminal cases, the South Carolina Supreme Court has just overturned the murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh and ordered a new trial.
The court unanimously ruled Wednesday that Murdaugh’s constitutional right to a fair trial was violated due to improper conduct by former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca “Becky” Hill.
Murdaugh was convicted in March 2023 for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, in a case that captured national attention and became known as South Carolina’s “Trial of the Century.”
In its ruling, the court said Hill improperly influenced jurors during the trial. Justices cited testimony that Hill encouraged jurors to closely watch Murdaugh’s body language and warned them not to be “fooled” by the defense.
The ruling also referenced findings that Hill sought publicity and financial gain connected to a book she later promoted about the trial. Justices wrote that she “placed her fingers on the scales of justice.”
The court further criticized how much evidence prosecutors introduced regarding Murdaugh’s financial crimes, calling portions of that testimony unfairly prejudicial.
Despite the reversal, Murdaugh will remain in prison. He is still serving lengthy sentences tied to dozens of financial crime convictions and guilty pleas.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson quickly announced the state plans to retry the murder case.
The ruling vacates Murdaugh’s murder convictions and life sentences, sending the case back to circuit court more than three years after the original verdict.
