Alex Murdaugh will appear in court for a pretrial hearing to settle venue, evidence and witness-testimony issues ahead of his retrial set for April 5, 2027. The South Carolina Supreme Court vacated his double-murder conviction after finding that a court clerk improperly communicated with jurors. Murdaugh is seeking dismissal and alleges investigator misconduct and local bias; a civil claim he filed against the clerk was dismissed. He remains incarcerated on separate state (27 years) and federal (40 years) convictions for financial crimes.
Alex Murdaugh Returns to Court Ahead of April 5, 2027 Retrial After Conviction Overturned
Tracy Glantz/Pool The State via AP - PHOTO: Alex Murdaugh
Alex Murdaugh is due back in a South Carolina courtroom on Friday for a pretrial hearing to resolve several key issues ahead of his retrial, which is scheduled for April 5, 2027. Judges and attorneys will address where the new trial will be held, which pieces of evidence will be admitted, and how much of Murdaugh's testimony from the first trial prosecutors may use.
The retrial was scheduled after the South Carolina Supreme Court this year vacated Murdaugh's conviction in the murders of his wife and son because the Colleton County clerk of court, Rebecca Hill, improperly communicated with jurors during the trial. Judge Debra McCaslin set the new trial date for April 5, 2027.
"Both the State and Murdaugh's defense skillfully presented their cases to the jury as the trial court deftly presided over this complicated and high-profile matter. However, their efforts were in vain because Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill placed her fingers on the scales of justice, thereby denying Murdaugh his right to a fair trial by an impartial jury," the South Carolina Supreme Court wrote.
Murdaugh has filed motions seeking dismissal of the charges, accusing the lead investigator of misconduct and arguing that he cannot receive a fair trial in some counties where the Murdaugh name has long been closely associated with local legal institutions. Defense lawyers are pressing venue changes and other pretrial rulings that could shape how evidence is presented at retrial.
Earlier this month a civil claim Murdaugh filed against former court clerk Rebecca Hill — seeking $600,000 over her alleged role in juror contact — was dismissed.
Separate Sentences: While the double-murder conviction was overturned, Murdaugh remains incarcerated after pleading guilty to separate financial crimes. He was sentenced to 27 years on state charges and 40 years on federal charges for fraud and related offenses. Prosecutors and victims say he admitted to lying to and stealing from clients; Murdaugh continues to deny any involvement in the deaths of his wife and son.
What to Expect at the Hearing
- Venue arguments: Judges will consider whether the retrial should be held in the same county or moved to a different jurisdiction to reduce potential bias.
- Evidentiary rulings: The court will decide which pieces of physical and testimonial evidence will be allowed at retrial.
- Prior testimony: The hearing will determine how much of Murdaugh's testimony from his first trial prosecutors may introduce.
Brief Case Timeline
- 2022–2023: First trial resulted in conviction for the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.
- May (this year): South Carolina Supreme Court vacated the conviction because the court clerk communicated with jurors.
- April 5, 2027: Judge Debra McCaslin scheduled the retrial date.
The upcoming hearing is expected to clarify logistical and evidentiary ground rules that will shape how the retrial proceeds next year.
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