Court overturns Murdaugh murder convictions, orders new trial

Defense attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin stated they look forward to a new trial for Murdaugh following the overturning of the convictions.

Reports described the reaction of Murdaugh’s surviving son, Buster Murdaugh, as devastated by the decision, with a source noting he would be required to relive years of ordeal. The source called the situation emotionally painful for him.

Following the reversal, prosecutors stated they intend to retry the double-murder case, arguing they remain committed to seeking convictions despite Murdaugh’s continued imprisonment on other charges.

The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously overturned Murdaugh’s murder convictions, ruling that Becky Hill’s conduct crossed a line and compromised the fairness of the trial. The court said Hill urged jurors not to be fooled by Murdaugh’s defense, effectively placing her fingers on the scales of justice. It also noted Hill’s pursuit of publicity, referencing her book Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders. The ruling allowed for a retrial, while warning prosecutors not to rely on extensive financial misconduct testimony that could prejudice jurors; it acknowledged that limited financial-motive evidence could still be relevant. Prosecutors said Murdaugh would remain imprisoned while awaiting retrial, and defense lawyers said they look forward to a new trial.

Becky Hill, the former court clerk, resigned from office in 2024 amid investigations and later pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, perjury, and misconduct in office connected to handling of the case. She received probation and community service as part of her sentence.

In 2023, during the nationally watched trial, Alex Murdaugh faced convictions for the killings of Maggie and Paul. The jury’s verdicts would later be subject to reversal due to concerns about juror influence.

Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were killed at the family’s Moselle estate in June 2021. Prosecutors relied heavily on cellphone video evidence that placed Alex Murdaugh near the crime scene minutes before the killings. The murder weapons were never recovered, and prosecutors did not present DNA or blood evidence directly linking Murdaugh to the shootings.

In a 5-0 ruling, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Murdaugh's 2023 murder convictions and ordered a new trial, saying Hill biased the jury and denied him a fair trial. The justices cited juror affidavits about Hill’s comments and noted she had published a tell-all book about the proceedings, Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders, which was pulled from publication for plagiarism. They also said too much evidence from the federal financial crimes case had been allowed at the murder trial, creating a danger of unfair prejudice.

Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill pleaded guilty to misconduct in office, obstruction of justice and perjury related to accusations she misused public funds and shared sealed court information with a reporter.

At a separate trial, Murdaugh was sentenced to 40 years in prison for federal financial crimes.

A jury found Murdaugh guilty of the murders, and he was sentenced to life in prison.

The killings of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh occurred in June 2021 near the family dog kennels. A six-week murder trial followed, culminating in a 2023 conviction.