South Carolina Supreme Court Overturns Murdaugh Murder Convictions

The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously overturned Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions due to improper jury influence.

In a unanimous decision on May 13, 2026, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh’s double murder convictions. The ruling pointed to "improper jury influence" by Becky Hill, the elected Colleton County Clerk of Court, who made remarks to jurors that compromised the fairness of the 2023 trial.

• Hill, who was writing a memoir about the proceedings, urged jurors to focus on Murdaugh’s behavior on the stand and suggested his guilt. She subsequently pleaded guilty to perjury, obstruction of justice, and misconduct, receiving probation.
• "Although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh's motion for a new trial due to Hill's improper [conduct] and remand for a new trial," wrote the justices.
• Prosecutors immediately announced plans for a retrial, with South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson stating, "No one is above the law and, as always, we will continue to fight for justice."
• The court also directed that prolonged evidence of Murdaugh’s unrelated financial crimes—as in the first trial—not be included in the re-prosecution to avoid prejudicing the jury.

Murdaugh’s defense attorneys welcomed the order for a new trial, reiterating his consistent claims of innocence. Despite the vacated murder convictions, he remains in federal prison serving a 40-year sentence for a $12 million theft from clients.

The case had captivated the public and raised widespread questions about the integrity of criminal proceedings in high-profile trials.

What's next: Prosecutors have confirmed they intend to retry Murdaugh, but the exact timeline and trial details remain undetermined.