Alex Murdaugh’s defense and prosecutors expect to clash over evidence during pretrial hearing
Lawyers will argue access to evidence and requests for new DNA and cartridge-case testing as the state and defense clash over what jurors may hear.
- On Friday, South Carolina circuit court judge Debra McCaslin convened a hearing in Lexington to address urgent evidence disputes ahead of Alex Murdaugh's double homicide retrial, scheduled for April 5, 2027.
- The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Murdaugh's 2023 convictions earlier this year after finding jury tampering; he remains imprisoned while awaiting retrial for murdering his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and son, Paul Murdaugh.
- Attorneys are clashing over proposed Y-chromosome STR testing on genetic material found under Maggie's fingernails and records regarding an alleged crime-scene coverup involving a police official.
- The defense requested independent ballistics comparisons to link cartridge cases to shootings in Allendale, including the April 25, 2026, murder of Frank Alexander Brown III, which prosecutors opposed.
- Additional motions remain scheduled for a hearing on November 13, 2026, to clarify testing permissions and establish evidence deadlines before jury selection begins in Sumter County.
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121 Articles
Alex Murdaugh Judge Declares She Will Not Let Retrial 'Become a Circus,' Warns People Not to Use Courtroom for 'Publicity or Theatrics'
The judge in Alex Murdaugh’s retrial warned she ‘will not allow these proceedings to become a circus’ and set the trial for April 5, 2027.
Judge McCaslin at Murdaugh hearing: ‘I’ll not allow proceedings to become a circus’
State Judge Debra McCaslin left no doubt Friday about who was the boss of the courtroom in the latest pretrial hearing for Alex Murdaugh, accused of killing his wife Maggie and son Paul. “I will not allow these proceedings to…
Alex Murdaugh's defense makes 'high risk' move to show DNA proves he didn't kill family, prosecutor says – Democratic Accent
Alex Murdaugh’s defense team is gambling on a “high risk” DNA test in its bid... The post Alex Murdaugh’s defense makes ‘high risk’ move to show DNA proves he didn’t kill family, prosecutor says appeared first on Democratic Accent .
Alex Murdaugh judge warns against courtroom ‘circus’ as defense wins DNA fight, loses ballistics bid
LEXINGTON, SC — The judge overseeing Alex Murdaugh’s double-murder retrial rebuked both sides Friday over their bitter evidence fights, warning she “will not allow these proceedings to become a circus.” During the tense hearing, Judge Debra McCaslin handed the defense a win on their DNA testing request but rejected its broader request for ballistic data. ...
Alex Murdaugh back in court amid defense questions about police handling of missing murder weapons
Alex Murdaugh is in court Friday as his lawyers push for South Carolina prosecutors to turn over information and evidence they say could be instrumental to the disgraced attorney’s defense in his second double-murder trial.
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