The South Carolina supreme court has overturned the murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh, ruling that a court clerk’s misconduct denied him a fair trial. The unanimous decision, issued on Wednesday, orders a new trial for the disgraced attorney, who was convicted in 2023 for the killings of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul.
The justices found that Colleton County clerk of court Rebecca Hill “egregiously attacked Murdaugh’s credibility and his defence”, creating improper external influences on the jury. In its opinion, the court described the interference as “shocking jury interference” and stated that the state had failed to rebut the presumption of prejudice. The trial’s efforts were “in vain”, the justices added, because Hill had “placed her fingers on the scales of justice”.
Murdaugh, 57, received two life sentences for the murders but has always denied the charges. The ruling does not secure his release, as he is already serving a 40-year federal sentence for financial crimes, including stealing millions from clients and his law firm. He also pleaded guilty in state court to similar offences, receiving a 27-year prison term.
Hill resigned from her post and later pleaded guilty to criminal charges, including showing sealed court exhibits to a photographer and lying about it. She also admitted misconduct for taking bonuses and promoting a book she wrote about the trial. Jessica Roth, a professor at Cardozo School of Law, said the double jeopardy clause does not bar a second trial in such circumstances, as the need for a new trial stems from errors in the first.
