Alex Murdaugh, the once powerful attorney found guilty of killing his wife and son, will face a new trial after his murder convictions were thrown out by the South Carolina Supreme Court.
The court decided unanimously that Murdaugh did not receive a fair trial for the 2021 deaths because of interference by a court clerk who told the jury to “watch him closely” and not trust his testimony.
The case became an object of national fascination, spawning a podcast, documentary, miniseries, and more than one book.
Murdaugh’s defence team, buoyed by their success in having the convictions eliminated, are confident he will be found not guilty in a new trial.
They say Murdaugh is relieved to no longer be a convicted murderer.
Here’s what could happen next.
Prosecutors pledge to retry him as soon as possible
Murdaugh, 56, has been serving two life sentences for the murders of his wife Maggie, 52, and youngest son Paul, 22.
He is also serving a 27- and a 40-year sentence for state and federal convictions of financial crimes, which include stealing millions from client settlements in order to fund his drug habit. Those convictions have not been overturned.
A new trial for the murders has been ordered, and prosecutors say they are ready for another round.
Creighton Waters, the lead prosecutor on the case, said his team had the option to appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court, but would likely try the case anew.
