05/13/2026
The South Carolina Supreme Court has unanimously vacated the 2023 murder convictions of former attorney Alex Murdaugh, ordering a new trial for the 2021 deaths of his wife and son.
In a 5-0 decision, the state's highest court determined that Murdaugh was denied his right to a fair and impartial trial. The justices cited the actions of Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill, stating that she "placed her fingers on the scales of justice" and unfairly influenced the jury against the defendant.
Murdaugh had been serving two consecutive life sentences for the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.
Despite this ruling, he remains incarcerated, serving separate 27-year and 40-year sentences for various state and federal financial crimes.
The ruling follows Rebecca Hill’s December guilty plea regarding charges of perjury, obstruction of justice, and misconduct in office. These charges involved the misuse of public funds and the unauthorized sharing of sealed court data.