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New Filing From Murdaugh Defense Asks for Independent Review of DNA Evidence
The defense says SLED could exhaust or degrade trace DNA before Othram can use SNP testing to compare it with genealogy databases.
- On Thursday, Alex Murdaugh's attorneys filed a motion requesting independent DNA testing of evidence recovered from underneath Maggie Murdaugh's fingernails, seeking to have Othram Inc. analyze the sample before the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division conducts further testing.
- The request comes as Murdaugh prepares for a retrial in the 2021 shooting deaths of his wife and son, after the Supreme Court overturned his initial conviction earlier this year.
- SLED previously identified DNA from an "unknown and unrelated male" under Maggie Murdaugh's fingernails, and attorneys argue only advanced SNP testing can extract usable information from such degraded material.
- Defense lawyers contend SLED's proposed STR testing "carries a genuine risk of consuming evidence that could be material to the defense," arguing the agency has "articulated no scientific basis" for its preferred sequence.
- Judge Debra McCaslin will hear the motion on August 14, 2026, while Othram estimates it could complete the requested analysis within 60 to 90 days.
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wtma.comAlex Murdaugh attorneys ask judge to allow independent DNA testing in murder case
Attorneys for convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh are asking a judge to allow independent DNA testing of evidence recovered from beneath Maggie Murdaugh's fingerna
·Charleston, United States
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left0Leaning Right4Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
C 60%
R 40%
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