Judge Moves Alex Murdaugh Retrial From Small County, but Motion to Toss Out Case Will Wait
Judge Debra McCaslin will hear arguments on DNA testing, venue and other pretrial disputes before Alex Murdaugh’s second murder trial.
- Today, Friday, August 14, 2026, Judge Debra McCaslin presides over a status hearing at the Lexington County Courthouse for Alex Murdaugh, addressing multiple pretrial motions ahead of his April 5, 2027 retrial.
- In May, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Murdaugh's 2023 convictions, ruling that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill allegedly attempted to improperly influence the jury, denying him a fair trial.
- Seeking to dismiss indictments, the defense filed motions alleging "perjurious testimony and fabricated evidence" by a state investigator, while requesting a venue change to Charleston and independent DNA testing of evidence from murder victim Maggie Murdaugh.
- Judge McCaslin ruled that Murdaugh may appear in civilian clothing and unshackled at hearings and trial, finding "there is no justifiable reason to require Defendant to appear in prison clothes and shackles" given the presumption of innocence.
- Prosecutors seek to admit evidence of Murdaugh's financial crimes as motive and to use his 2023 trial testimony, while opposing the defense venue request to Charleston as prohibitively expensive and logistically challenging for the April 5, 2027 retrial.
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Connect FM | Local News Radio | Dubois, PAJudge rules Alex Murdaugh’s retrial will have a change of venue, but no location set
(NEW YORK) - Alex Murdaugh appeared in a South Carolina courtroom on Friday for a hearing to work out some key issues ahead of his April 2027 retrial, including where it will take place, what evidence will be permitted, and how much of Murdaugh's testimony from the first trial will be available to prosecutors. Judge Debra McCaslin agreed that Murdaugh would be unable to receive a fair retrial in Colleton County, where the original trial took pla…
Alex Murdaugh wears suit to court as his defense accuses prosecution of having ‘secret agreements’
LEXINGTON, S.C. (Court TV) — Alex Murdaugh’s defense wasted no time accusing prosecutors of making “secret agreements” with a potential witness — the defense’s first court move since Murdaugh’s murder convictions were overturned ahead of his upcoming retrial. Alex Murdaugh appears in court on Aug. 14, 2026. (Court TV) The South Carolina Supreme Court struck down Murdaugh’s conviction and two life sentences in the deaths of his wife, Maggie Murda…
Alex Murdaugh returns to court for pretrial conference
Accused killer and disbarred South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh attends a pretrial status conference in Lexington County to address venue changes and evidence ahead of his April 2027 murder retrial. #fox #foxnews #media #breakingnews #us #usa #new #news #breaking #alexmurdaugh #murdaugh #southcarolina #lexingtoncounty #murder #murdertrial #retrial #crime #crimenews #crimestory #criminal #police #court #legalnews #trial #attorney...
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